I disagree. You can find one play or mistake in a game for any defenseman. MacDonald is very strong positionally, and rarely loses his coverage. Sometimes in fact, he plays too tight to his check. He has faults to his game, but positioning is not one of them.
- MJL

well then we agree to disagree

doesnt mean he wasnt a good player. i think medvedev brought so much more than amac did. the problem was his discipline on the smaller rink didnt match up well with the NHL game or Haks system. i dont think u can argue tho on talent alone the russian was better
- sjk540

The fact is he couldn't even beat Manning out for a spot. That's a failure.

Right, but do you agree with the evaluation that Hextall's side was on? That Richards was better then a Schenn-Simmonds package? And either way, I just think Hextall gets too much credit here in Philly when most of his moves have been kind of underwhelming for me.
- wolphnuts12

wow. i dont understand how you cant view his body at work at nothing more than genius. his signings and trades have been underwhelming because he was stuck under so many behemoth contracts. once he gets out from under them and has cap space and the kids come up, you will see a wheeling and dealing hexy.

bank it

Somewhere, Bill has a freshly popped bag of popcorn and is watching this all unfold with a smile. Damnit, Bill! Why? WHY?!?!

The fact is he couldn't even beat Manning out for a spot. That's a failure.
- Feanor

look no further than this point.

exactly right

Seriously?

http://www.nhl.com/scores...rts/20152016/ES030136.HTM
- MJL

made you look

Somewhere, Bill has a freshly popped bag of popcorn and is watching this all unfold with a smile. Damnit, Bill! Why? WHY?!?!
- YuenglingJagr

Somewhere, Bill has a freshly popped bag of popcorn and is watching this all unfold with a smile. Damnit, Bill! Why? WHY?!?!
- YuenglingJagr

Because we are commenting on a blog about it. Just because we are talkign about it doesnt mean the Flyers need to trade him. If they needed to he would be gone. It is obvious Hextall has not felt like he needed to be traded. I am just saying that the actual cap number might not be the #1 reason he should be moved and at this point any money retained was already gone, so retaining salary would not stop me from making a deal that came about
- YuenglingJagr

I think we've reached that circular part of the disagreement where no one states anything new. This was a tepid conversation, at best. I'd jump on one of these before his meteoric rise into the Norris discussions...

http://supersportstees.co...elphia-hockey-fan-t-shirt

AMac's on the roster this season and Prov/Sanheim/et all getting sent down.
- Tomahawk

My opinion, with the benefit of hindsight, I think the Kings knew they were getting the best player and had a team they thought could win a cup with some extra pieces. Richards without a doubt made them a better team. I think they knew Schenn had potential, but Richards now was worth the Schenn future. I think they didnt expect Simmonds to become what he is (and he may not have) and I think they didn't expect the career of Richards to play out how it has. All of that happened long after the trade was made.

I seriously think that even if Lombardi and Hextall knew exactly how the situation would end up today, they would still make the trades. Likewise, you would have to search long and hard to find someone that wouldnt give up Schenn and Simmonds for 2 cups. They were two different teams in two different situations and the trade has worked out as hoped for both teams
- YuenglingJagr

I mean I'd support trading away whatever it took if it guaranteed a cup, but nothing ever guarantees it. And wasn't he like a 3rd line center on those teams? Regardless...trade's done and old.

Or...maybe Hextall knew he was going to switch to the Flyers and made the trade to help himself? Conspiracy!

Seriously though, if MacDonald was a bona fide nhl defenseman, why was he sent down to the AHL?

I think we've reached that circular part of the disagreement where no one states anything new. This was a tepid conversation, at best. I'd jump on one of these before his meteoric rise into the Norris discussions...

http://supersportstees.co...elphia-hockey-fan-t-shirt
- steelydan

surprisingly not sold out

Probably because he's not, Streit2ThePoint

Probably because he's not, Streit2ThePoint
- Streit2ThePoint

Good point, Streit2ThePoint.

Seriously though, if MacDonald was a bona fide nhl defenseman, why was he sent down to the AHL?
- Streit2ThePoint

*Bona fide top 4 NHL defenseman

Seriously though, if MacDonald was a bona fide nhl defenseman, why was he sent down to the AHL?
- Streit2ThePoint

I gotta imagine the motivation was "Hey Andrew, you're making 5M and playing like an AHL'er. This is your wake up call."

Whether it was done as a motivational tool, a chance to build confidence, or both. It's not too dissimilar to sending down a young pitcher or hitter in baseball.

Seriously though, if MacDonald was a bona fide nhl defenseman, why was he sent down to the AHL?
- Streit2ThePoint

it was an oversight and from what I've heard, they apologized

- PhillySportsGuy

Expansion eligibility is the silver lining.

Expansion eligibility is the silver lining.
- Tomahawk

Come onnnnnn McPhee

I gotta imagine the motivation was "Hey Andrew, you're making 5M and playing like an AHL'er. This is your wake up call."

Whether it was done as a motivational tool, a chance to build confidence, or both. It's not too dissimilar to sending down a young pitcher or hitter in baseball.
- steelydan

But if he was a bona fide NHL'er then he would not have gotten to that point. He would play the game well.

But if he was a bona fide NHL'er then he would not have gotten to that point. He would play the game well.
- Streit2ThePoint

thank you

I gotta imagine the motivation was "Hey Andrew, you're making 5M and playing like an AHL'er. This is your wake up call."

Whether it was done as a motivational tool, a chance to build confidence, or both. It's not too dissimilar to sending down a young pitcher or hitter in baseball.
- steelydan

I think it was more like...Mom takes her son to the grocery store....tells him to wait right there and dont move....she runs away, but on her way out of the store sees a couple of police officers, and walks back to her son...buts him a candy bar before walking back to the car...she makes sure he is safe in the car seat, rear facing of course...she doesnt want him to see her cry all the way home

it was an oversight and from what I've heard, they apologized
- YuenglingJagr

Andrew might also prefer the lovely Lehigh Valley area.

I think it was more like...Mom takes her son to the grocery store....tells him to wait right there and dont move....she runs away, but on her way out of the store sees a couple of police officers, and walks back to her son...buts him a candy bar before walking back to the car...she makes sure he is safe in the car seat, rear facing of course...she doesnt want him to see her cry all the way home
- YuenglingJagr

This is dark, but very accurate