In watching MacDonald play for an 18 game stretch, he doesn't impress me that much. He's an excellent shot blocker, but that is where his above average skills end.

He's not particularly good defensively, he moves the puck adequately, he's not physical, isn't a great skater, you have to send out a search party to find his offensive game.

I don't know, to me he's not a difference maker.

I'm not even too happy giving up this year's first, TBH. a 2nd and lesser prospects, I'd do in a heartbeat
- Jsaquella

It's most likely a non issue anyway. The Jets would probably want B. Schenn and a 1st and their is no way I'd do that.

In watching MacDonald play for an 18 game stretch, he doesn't impress me that much. He's an excellent shot blocker, but that is where his above average skills end.

He's not particularly good defensively, he moves the puck adequately, he's not physical, isn't a great skater, you have to send out a search party to find his offensive game.

I don't know, to me he's not a difference maker.
- PLindbergh31

Yup, he is an average, mobile 2nd pairing guy. A solid, but not remarkable player.

In watching MacDonald play for an 18 game stretch, he doesn't impress me that much. He's an excellent shot blocker, but that is where his above average skills end.

He's not particularly good defensively, he moves the puck adequately, he's not physical, isn't a great skater, you have to send out a search party to find his offensive game.

I don't know, to me he's not a difference maker.
- PLindbergh31

He's basically Grossmann minus the hitting and with better outlet passes and more calm with the puck.

He's basically Grossmann minus the hitting and with better outlet passes and more calm with the puck.
- jmatchett383

Add better wheels to that and yup, its dead on.

In watching MacDonald play for an 18 game stretch, he doesn't impress me that much. He's an excellent shot blocker, but that is where his above average skills end.

He's not particularly good defensively, he moves the puck adequately, he's not physical, isn't a great skater, you have to send out a search party to find his offensive game.

I don't know, to me he's not a difference maker.
- PLindbergh31

Yeah, that's where I stand on him.

Nice support player... particularly good at getting the puck back in the d-zone and triggering transition... shot-blocking is nice... but the rest of the package is pretty pedestrian.

I'm definitely not looking to give him fringe top-pair money just b/c Jack Capuano had to use him in that role.

Edit: it's like giving Zbynek Michalek $4M in UFA... you just know you're going to regret it.

You're wrong. All of this, wrong wrong wrong.
- jmatchett383

Is it? I apologize for being wrong

He's basically Grossmann minus the hitting and with better outlet passes and more calm with the puck.
- jmatchett383

But, unlike Grossmann, he does not look like Sloth.

Yeah, that's where I stand on him.

Nice support player... particularly good at getting the puck back in the d-zone and triggering transition... shot-blocking is nice... but the rest of the package is pretty pedestrian.

I'm definitely not looking to give him fringe top-pair money just b/c Jack Capuano had to use him in that role.
- Tomahawk

If his shot was a bit better he might be worth they money. Last night him and Streit had some long stretches of possession but he didn't really threaten their net.

But I think if we didn't trade for him and had kept putting Mez & Schenn out there as the 3rd pairing we would have lost two more games since the deadline and missed the playoffs.

Yeah, that's where I stand on him.

Nice support player... particularly good at getting the puck back in the d-zone and triggering transition... shot-blocking is nice... but the rest of the package is pretty pedestrian.

I'm definitely not looking to give him fringe top-pair money just b/c Jack Capuano had to use him in that role.
- Tomahawk

Agreed. My opinion is I would rather bite the bullet for a while, then overpay MacDonald while committing to him for 4-5 years. If he's the best of the realistic options out there, make Gus a regular and move on.

Assuming they are picking somewhere between 16-18 I'd give up this years first. I don't think this draft is as impressive as last year or next year.
- BiggE

True, definitely a deeper class next year, and a pick at 16-19 is probably not in the same class as a guy in the top 10, like it was in 2013

Yeah, that's where I stand on him.

Nice support player... particularly good at getting the puck back in the d-zone and triggering transition... shot-blocking is nice... but the rest of the package is pretty pedestrian.

I'm definitely not looking to give him fringe top-pair money just b/c Jack Capuano had to use him in that role.

Edit: it's like giving Zbynek Michalek $4M in UFA... you just know you're going to regret it.
- Tomahawk

Not to mention, he hasnt been forced to play out of his role here with the Flyers.

Imagine if we needed to use him long term as a top d-man.

In watching MacDonald play for an 18 game stretch, he doesn't impress me that much. He's an excellent shot blocker, but that is where his above average skills end.

He's not particularly good defensively, he moves the puck adequately, he's not physical, isn't a great skater, you have to send out a search party to find his offensive game.

I don't know, to me he's not a difference maker.
- PLindbergh31

Is it just me or has Luke played better since Mac has become his partner? I think that is one of Mac's quietest yet potent contributions so far.
I think he is solid defensively and that gives Luke confidence. Maybe it's just me...

True, definitely a deeper class next year, and a pick at 16-19 is probably not in the same class as a guy in the top 10, like it was in 2013
- Jsaquella

I'd rather package the pick and try to move into the top 10 and go after a guy like Hayden Fleury.

In watching MacDonald play for an 18 game stretch, he doesn't impress me that much. He's an excellent shot blocker, but that is where his above average skills end.

He's not particularly good defensively, he moves the puck adequately, he's not physical, isn't a great skater, you have to send out a search party to find his offensive game.

I don't know, to me he's not a difference maker.
- PLindbergh31

Pretty much. Nice solid player, nothing special, nothing worth $5mm a year.

But, unlike Grossmann, he does not look like Sloth.


- jak521

HEY! Grossmann is not an ugly man. He's not gorgeous in a playboy way but I wouldn't toss him out of bed for eating cookies!

I'd rather package the pick and try to move into the top 10 and go after a guy like Hayden Fleury.
- jmatchett383

I'd be on-board wit that as well

HEY! Grossmann is not an ugly man. He's not gorgeous in a playboy way but I wouldn't toss him out of bed for eating cookies!
- FlyersGrace

Pervert


EDIT:

Yup, Sloth-like appearance...

Imagine if we needed to use him long term as a top d-man.
- jak521

I'd rather not

HEY! Grossmann is not an ugly man. He's not gorgeous in a playboy way but I wouldn't toss him out of bed for eating cookies!
- FlyersGrace

Is it just me or has Luke played better since Mac has become his partner? I think that is one of Mac's quietest yet potent contributions so far.
I think he is solid defensively and that gives Luke confidence. Maybe it's just me...
- FlyersGrace

He's played better than when he was with Meszaros, but he's still prone to having really bad moments. But Schenn & MacDoanld can be a solid third pair...not sure paying $8.6mm is smart for a third pair

Is it just me or has Luke played better since Mac has become his partner? I think that is one of Mac's quietest yet potent contributions so far.
I think he is solid defensively and that gives Luke confidence. Maybe it's just me...
- FlyersGrace

The biggest problem with LSchenn is consistency. He's hit or miss. Some games he plays very well, others not so much. He's still young, but you would like to seem him have a bit more consistency to his game. His game is fairly simple, physical, stay at home guy....

Pervert


EDIT:

Yup, Sloth-like appearance...

- jak521

Now that you've found the worst pic you could. Go find a nice one. Jeez...

The biggest problem with LSchenn is consistency. He's hit or miss. Some games he plays very well, others not so much. He's still young, but you would like to seem him have a bit more consistency to his game. His game is fairly simple, physical, stay at home guy....
- PLindbergh31

Think the kid just lacks a bit of natural instinct... the gears in his head seem to turn a bit slow. Hopefully it's not hereditary.

Pretty much. Nice solid player, nothing special, nothing worth $5mm a year.
- Jsaquella

Yup. Complimentary guy.