The fact that the Flyers gave up what they did, to bring Happy Meal in to town...

Kind of suggests he may have them slightly by the balls in contract negotiations. They will give him what he wants more than likely, don't think Holmgren wants to give up the picks for a rental.

I agree. I've heard rumors saying that he wants 4 years, $20m+....if that's true, I'd rather go after a Hainsey or Stralman. Either of them will give you similar levels of play and likely cost less.

It's not a knock on MacDonald. I think he's been solid, despite what the stats say. But I'm not really interested in another 4/5 guy, if he's making more than Coburn.
- Jsaquella

MacDonald is a solid top 4 defenseman. He's worth every bit of 4.5M a year. And if that's all it takes to re-sign him. The Flyers would be fools not to do so. That is peanuts for a top 4 quality defenseman.

What if I told you it's possible to shut down and play offense at the same time?
- feelingkettle

I would say you are a crazy man.

I have little interest in Hainsey at this point in his career. Pretty sure Morin will get his stage addition early next season, and we'll see what happens after that. IMHO, a lot hinges on whether Kimmo comes back next season and how the top 6 will be shaped. I think Kimmo comes back, Berube has done a nice job of not running him into the ground.
- ravishingone

Hainsey would be a shorter term fix than a 4 year deal to MacDonald, for sure, but it does give an opportunity to fill the hole and not rush a youngster. If one is ready sooner, then there's an expiring contract slot to take.

There's a handful of others. Stralman is the same age as MacDonald, as is Nakita Nikitin of the Blue Jackets.

I agree. I've heard rumors saying that he wants 4 years, $20m+....if that's true, I'd rather go after a Hainsey or Stralman. Either of them will give you similar levels of play and likely cost less.

It's not a knock on MacDonald. I think he's been solid, despite what the stats say. But I'm not really interested in another 4/5 guy, if he's making more than Coburn.
- Jsaquella

I'd agree with that. I like MacDonald, but if his cap hit going forward is going to be more than 4.25mil I'd look elsewhere. My fear is that there are so few decent dmen available, they are all gonna get a lot more than they're really worth

Hainsey would be a shorter term fix than a 4 year deal to MacDonald, for sure, but it does give an opportunity to fill the hole and not rush a youngster. If one is ready sooner, then there's an expiring contract slot to take.

There's a handful of others. Stralman is the same age as MacDonald, as is Nakita Nikitin of the Blue Jackets.
- Jsaquella

I think MacDonald is better then both of them.

I would say you are a crazy man.
- flyer_nutter

Not sure how Read is on the same line with 21 goals, then.

Not sure how Read is on the same line with 21 goals, then.
- feelingkettle

Oh no he di int

MacDonald is a solid top 4 defenseman. He's worth every bit of 4.5M a year. And if that's all it takes to re-sign him. The Flyers would be fools not to do so. That is peanuts for a top 4 quality defenseman.
- MJL

I agree. I'm talking about over that. Which if you actually read what I wrote instead of starting yet another (frank)ing argument, you would have understood.

Yes, Ron Hainsey, Anton Stralman and Nikita Nitikn are all similar to Andrew MacDonald and will likely cost less to sign. All four are solid number four defensemen. Not comparing salaries alone, bit thanks for playing, Socrates

Oh no he di int
- MBFlyerfan

It's real and it's spectacular

Hainsey would be a shorter term fix than a 4 year deal to MacDonald, for sure, but it does give an opportunity to fill the hole and not rush a youngster. If one is ready sooner, then there's an expiring contract slot to take.

There's a handful of others. Stralman is the same age as MacDonald, as is Nakita Nikitin of the Blue Jackets.
- Jsaquella

I guess in the end it depends on what it means to rush a youngster. Morin, will be able to physically compete, if they can protect him like a lot of teams do when bringing in young d-men I can see him sticking around.

Not sure how Read is on the same line with 21 goals, then.
- feelingkettle

Shot through the heart.

I guess in the end it depends on what it means to rush a youngster. Morin, will be able to physically compete, if they can protect him like a lot of teams do when bringing in young d-men I can see him sticking around.
- ravishingone

If Morin comes in, I'd use the same criteria for him as I would for Laughton-if he makes the team and is one of the best 4 defensemen and forces the team to keep him, then do so.

If it simply seems that he could play in the NHL, and is handed a job because he seems like he could handle it, or that he looked good enough to be a sixth guy, I'd rather see him stay in juniors.

Even if he is one of the 4 best guys, they can still protect him. He's made strides, still seems raw.

Shot through the heart.
- flyer_nutter

And you're to blame.

And you're to blame.
- MBFlyerfan

Lay me down in a bed of roses

if homer overpays for mac donald imma snap

I agree. I'm talking about over that. Which if you actually read what I wrote instead of starting yet another (frank)ing argument, you would have understood.

Yes, Ron Hainsey, Anton Stralman and Nikita Nitikn are all similar to Andrew MacDonald and will likely cost less to sign. All four are solid number four defensemen. Not comparing salaries alone, bit thanks for playing, Socrates
- Jsaquella

Just curious that if all those guys are as good as MacDonald why would they be cheaper?

If Morin comes in, I'd use the same criteria for him as I would for Laughton-if he makes the team and is one of the best 4 defensemen and forces the team to keep him, then do so.

If it simply seems that he could play in the NHL, and is handed a job because he seems like he could handle it, or that he looked good enough to be a sixth guy, I'd rather see him stay in juniors.

Even if he is one of the 4 best guys, they can still protect him. He's made strides, still seems raw.
- Jsaquella

Lay me down in a bed of roses
- flyer_nutter

Cooter puttin on his O face!

I'd agree with that. I like MacDonald, but if his cap hit going forward is going to be more than 4.25mil I'd look elsewhere. My fear is that there are so few decent dmen available, they are all gonna get a lot more than they're really worth
- BiggE

There were not a ton of good ones available last summer, and decent 4/5 guys like Hainsey and Tom Gilbert ended up signing for smaller salaries.

I'm not against MacDonald. I'm against rushing out and setting a market for 4/5 defensemen at $5mm

There were not a ton of good ones available last summer, and decent 4/5 guys like Hainsey and Tom Gilbert ended up signing for smaller salaries.

I'm not against MacDonald. I'm against rushing out and setting a market for 4/5 defensemen at $5mm
- Jsaquella

I agree; I'd go as high as 4 years, 18 million, but thats it.

John Scott sort of looks like an Ent out there.

Cooter puttin on his O face!
- MBFlyerfan

Thought I saw Rosehill bent over "tying his skates" behind the bench.

Just curious that if all those guys are as good as MacDonald why would they be cheaper?
- jstross

Some are older, don't have the same numbers and are seen as secondary options by a lot of teams. MacDonald is probably a bit better than some of them, but it's by increments, rather than leaps and bounds.

I'd be fine if MacDonald signed for a reasonable number. But if he does indeed want $5mm, I'd rather pay $4mm to a guy like Stralman

John Scott sort of looks like an Ent out there.
- opeth_pa