The problem here is that McDonald, before playing a single second in a Flyers uniform, is considered to be mediocre. I'm wondering if Holmgren, and the Flyers professional pro scouting department, are aware that McDonald is a mediocre player?
- MJL

Well why weren't they inquiring about rundblad? He's a better fit for what this team needs in the future. Asleep at the (frank)ing wheel again

The bigger thing that pisses me off with Macdonald is he is set to be a UFA. So Holmgren will be forced to open the pocket book for yet more mediocrity, or risk wasting a 2nd/3rd for a rental.

Its not the end of the world by any means. However to me, Holmgren shouldn't be guiding this team anymore.
- flyer_nutter

If he trades Mez or Grossmann for a 2nd or 3rd and re-signs MacDonald, its not that bad.

Everyone here knew Homer was going to sign one of the better defenseman available. I would be shocked if MacDonald isn't re-signed.

They're reporting it on Toronto Radio. All I heard was Rundblad for the 2nd.
- mayorofangrytown

I heard Phx also threw in Doan.

The bigger thing that pisses me off with Macdonald is he is set to be a UFA. So Holmgren will be forced to open the pocket book for yet more mediocrity, or risk wasting a 2nd/3rd for a rental.

Its not the end of the world by any means. However to me, Holmgren shouldn't be guiding this team anymore.
- flyer_nutter

I got back and forth on this. Homer makes some questionable moves but then you look at the moves that have panned out IE Coots, Schenn, Mason (Granted that was after royally (frank)ing up the whole Bob situation) and it's hard to completely write Holmgren off.

http://www.philly.com/phi...yers-pursuing-Kesler.html



How reliable?
- Nucker101

not much, its pretty sad that howard eskin that does not follow hockey has better inside sources then all these beat beat writers we are cursed with

The problem here is that McDonald, before playing a single second in a Flyers uniform, is considered to be mediocre. I'm wondering if Holmgren, and the Flyers professional pro scouting department, are aware that McDonald is a mediocre player?
- MJL

I think Homer wants to be GM of the Islanders. He is going to trade for all the players and we will be the Philadelphia Flying Islands.

You are onto something. Macdonald is an NHLer, if not a fancy point producer. Rundblad could still very much be a strikeout. The Flyers need proven bodies on D next year, and hey, they got one with some wheels. Recoup the picks by trading Grossmann, Downie or Mesz and call it a day. I wont even mention how much cap room that creates...
- hereticpride

It would have been great to add a solid prospect like Runblad to the fold. But he's not even close to being a proven player, regardless of talent. The Flyers added a bona fide proven NHL defenseman, that they obviously feel upgrades the team. And the Flyers GM is a clown! It's hysterical.

Wouldn't it be funny if Rundblad still isn't in the NHL next year and MacDonald is a solid, top 4 defenseman on this team?

Not saying I think the MacDonald deal is great, but Rundblad is an unknown at this point.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agree. Jeez, it not like we missed out on the next Scott Niedermeyer.

4th franchise...sounds like he'd be blad in the locker room.
- feelingkettle

We will see what he does for Chicago on the stretch Rund

Couturer, Schenn, Laughton, and Morin for Kesler and a 1st.
- feelingkettle

We wouldn't move Coots and Schenn to get the best D man in the league to fill our biggest hole but we will to get a beat up Kesler to add to our biggest area of depth?

Sigh.

The problem here is that McDonald, before playing a single second in a Flyers uniform, is considered to be mediocre. I'm wondering if Holmgren, and the Flyers professional pro scouting department, are aware that McDonald is a mediocre player?
- MJL

Ahhh, that's simply because I don't hold the Flyers management and scouting to the highest pedigree, especially when it comes to defense, and making moves the last few years.

As of now, I would rather have a chance to take another Hagg (for example), and a 3rd, instead of giving it up for mediocrity. Macdonald is no top pairing d-man, and you will be disappointed to think he is. They need quick puck movers, and players good on the transition. Lets see what Macdonald can bring to that, while being respectable in his own end.

You are onto something. Macdonald is an NHLer, if not a fancy point producer. Rundblad could still very much be a strikeout. The Flyers need proven bodies on D next year, and hey, they got one with some wheels. Recoup the picks by trading Grossmann, Downie or Mesz and call it a day. I wont even mention how much cap room that creates...
- hereticpride

I want to see MacDonald. If nothing else, it will be tryout to see if he fits. If he really is a two-way, top 4 defenseman, I would pay him $4.5-5M

The lone concern with Rundblad is that he's with his 4th franchise...but Jesus, he was had for far less than MacDonald and he's something the Flyers really lack.
- Jsaquella

Yup. Rundblad's likely not going to make the Flyers a cup favorite, but why not give up 1 less draft pick and get a 2nd player to boot?

If Ray Ferraro was that good in evaluating player moves, he'd be a GM instead of posting on Twitter. The end product is what matters.
- MJL

HA HA HA HA HA

And the end product is that Mike Gillis turned two starting goalies into a backup goalie, a draft pick and a 3/4 center

You can spin that any way you want, but that's laughable -- I realize saying "Yeah, I might be wrong" isn't what you do, but all I have to do is point at Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider and, well, you're wrong

It would have been great to add a solid prospect like Runblad to the fold. But he's not even close to being a proven player, regardless of talent. The Flyers added a bona fide proven NHL defenseman, that they obviously feel upgrades the team. And the Flyers GM is a clown! It's hysterical.
- MJL

Could have gotten both!

We will see what he does for Chicago on the stretch Rund
- funmaster18

4th franchise...sounds like he'd be blad in the locker room.
- feelingkettle

That's the concern I have. maybe he is an uncoachable bumhole. But he's got a load of skill. I'd rather see the Flyers roll the dice on skill than just add another "hard working solid guy" that turns out to be mediocre.

They could have made both trades.

I heard Phx also threw in Doan.
- feelingkettle

In exchange Chicago agreed to buy at least 4 season tickets for the coyotes

Agree. Jeez, it not like we missed out on the next Scott Niedermeyer.
- 2731color

Theres been a fixation of him on this site for a while. Seeing him available for a second was bound to send people into a tizzy.

He may end up being great, but he may end up being nothing. We'll see.

Well why weren't they inquiring about rundblad? He's a better fit for what this team needs in the future. Asleep at the (frank)ing wheel again
- PhillaBully

No it's not. What if the Flyers make other moves that in the long run significantly upgrades the defense between now and next Season? Somehow, I think the Flyers will survive not trading for Runblad, who has played all of 50 NHL games. The Flyers don't need to add maybe's to the defense.

That's the concern I have. maybe he is an uncoachable bumhole. But he's got a load of skill. I'd rather see the Flyers roll the dice on skill than just add another "hard working solid guy" that turns out to be mediocre.

They could have made both trades.
- Jsaquella

First couple of trades, he wasn't even in NA yet. Both times were hockey deals for other terrific young players: Turris, pick to take Tarasenko.

In exchange Chicago agreed to buy at least 4 season tickets for the coyotes
- funmaster18

First couple of trades, he wasn't even in NA yet. Both times were hockey deals for other terrific young players: Turris, pick to take Tarasenko.
- Tomahawk

If you're an bumhole, an ocean isn't going to stop people from finding out.

This female doging is ridiculous.

Just because one team (CHI) fleeces another (PHX); doesn't mean that the Flyers trade for MacDonald is terrible. It just means that one team fleeced another, while the Flyers made a seemingly middling-trade. Take into account that the Flyers made their trade first, and you can't really flip out over Homer not getting a kid who has bounced around a few times at a young age.

There is no correlation between the two. As others have pointed out, Homer traded for a proven player who has shown the ability to play 25+ minutes to shore up the defense. Chicago traded for a player who is high-risk/high-reward. There is a difference between trading assets for a proven commodity vs. trading assets for a project. One is a gamble, and the other is not. Now if they can't get MacDonald to re-sign for a fair price, then I have no qualms with saying that the Flyers lost this trade (barring a Stanley Cup win). For the time being, I'll reserve judgment for two things: How does he look on our blue line, and; was he re-signed at a reasonable cap hit. Until then, it's just female doging for the sake of female doging...

First couple of trades, he wasn't even in NA yet. Both times were hockey deals for other terrific young players: Turris, pick to take Tarasenko.
- Tomahawk

It just seems rare for a young guy to be traded so much. He's gone from being a major piece to major deals to being had for a 2nd rounder.