Bettman presser nuggets:

-NHL is NOT in expansion mode. Getting most interest from Seattle, but they want NBA team first and no arena on horizon right now. Says deal for Clippers greatly impacts Seattle

-As for Quebec, NHL not eager to add another Eastern team.

-Feels cap recapture is perfectly fair

-Said NHL learned from outdoor game in Dodger Stadium, and will have outf=door games in future in warmer areas

EDIT: Isles sale is not close, per Chris Botta

Bettman presser nuggets:

-NHL is NOT in expansion mode. Getting most interest from Seattle, but they want NBA team first and no arena on horizon right now. Says deal for Clippers greatly impacts Seattle

-As for Quebec, NHL not eager to add another Eastern team.

-Feels cap recapture is perfectly fair

-Said NHL learned from outdoor game in Dodger Stadium, and will have outf=door games in future in warmer areas

EDIT: Isles sale is not close, per Chris Botta
- Jsaquella

and that he's disciplined teams for not following concussion protocol, which i find interesting.

Watching the press availability yesterday I was looking at him wondering how he gets to be the perfectly beautiful one. He has the oddest hairline I've ever seen. And when people talk about objective beauty they say it has to do with symmetry. The whole right side of his face is smaller than the left. I think it is the Scandanavian mystique. He does have pretty eyes. And I think he's "attractive" but then, I think a lot of hockey players are. But beautiful? Handsome? Dreamy? I do not see it.

And you have your own gold medal. So he can bite you!
- bodiva88

His gold weighs more than mine, but that's ok. If he weren't a ranger, I wouldn't hate him so much. He also doesn't strike me as remotely Swedish either.

and that he's disciplined teams for not following concussion protocol, which i find interesting.
- wilsonecho91

Damnit, that was my next edit

There's no way that MacDonald is a 3rd pair defenseman in this League. Which is what a #5 defenseman would be. He's a better player then that, much better. He's a solid top 4 NHL defenseman. That is a more accurate description of him as a player in my opinion.
MacDonald didn't take advantage of an eager GM. That description implies that the deal was a foolish one. It was not. It was a solid deal in which a capable GM addressed a need, and signed the player to a market value deal.
And a fan may have a definition of what a core player is. But a team doesn't trade for, and then sign a player to a 6 year deal, and not consider him a core player. They also wouldn't sign him to that deal if he was a 3rd pair defenseman.
- MJL

He struggled a little in the playoffs but I agree,I think he showed enough to justify a deal getting done , with his play in regular season....he's a mobile guy, who plays a smart game.....

I find it puzzling that so many want to see him moved.....he'd be perfect with a true # 1 and fits nicely as a good 3 or 4.....

and that he's disciplined teams for not following concussion protocol, which i find interesting.
- wilsonecho91

But I guess he's not going to tell us how, or what teams?

Yup, some GM will give him 7 years and 50 mil, count on it
- BiggE

It won't be Hextall.

He struggled a little in the playoffs but I agree,I think he showed enough to justify a deal getting done , with his play in regular season....he's a mobile guy, who plays a smart game.....

I find it puzzling that so many want to see him moved.....he'd be perfect with a true # 1 and fits nicely as a good 3 or 4.....

- landros 2

There's just an element of the fanbase that is going to criticize the Flyers moves regardless. And it's a question of the grass is always greener. And if other players mentioned were on the Flyers, and MacDonald was on another team, MacDonald would be the player clamored for. And it's also about stats, and using them out of context, instead of watching the player, play. And clearly seeing what he brings to the team.

I'd be pretty shocked if they traded AMac now, much more likely to see Grossmann dealt if anyone
- BiggE

I think it may be him or Coburn.....unless B. Schenn is dealt...then I really think it's a package deal....Luke Schenn......I think the Flyers will be more active this summer then what's being stated...

Honestly, the offensive potential that Couturier has makes me open to trading Bryaden Schenn for defense help. I think if Couturier is given better linemates and more offensive roles, he can blossom into a very good two way center that gives 50-60 points and be a bastard to play against.
- Jsaquella

Raffl G Jake
Read Couts Simmonds

But that doesn't leave much for the third line...

Harts Laughton Akeson?

There's just an element of the fanbase that is going to criticize the Flyers moves regardless. And it's a question of the grass is always greener. And if other players mentioned were on the Flyers, and MacDonald was on another team, MacDonald would be the player clamored for. And it's also about stats, and using them out of context, instead of watching the player, play. And clearly seeing what he brings to the team.
- MJL

I liked his game ......I didn't even mention his skill for getting into the d lanes in his own end and blocking shots....

I liked his game ......I didn't even mention his skill for getting into the d lanes in his own end and blocking shots....
- landros 2

I saw a lot of things about his game that I liked. And he's a clear upgrade and a solid addition to the Flyers defense. But I'm also not under any illusions as to what he is. He is not a top pair defenseman, nor is he a shut down defender. He may not be elite in any one category, but he is just solid and steady all around. He is a set him and forget him defenseman.
But here's one thing I will guarantee. If the Flyers don't make any other upgrades, and they are forced to overplay him, and overuse him in the wrong match ups. He will become a whipping boy for the fans. He is not a player who should be playing 24 minutes a game against top lines game in and game out. If they use him that way, he is going to struggle at some points. But that won't be his fault, it will be out of necessity. And many won't take that into account.

I really hope that this year's Stanley Cup final is heavily lopsided in the Kings favour and the Rangers are outplayed, out matched, and simply embarrassed.

Damnit, that was my next edit
- Jsaquella

sorry, sorry...

But I guess he's not going to tell us how, or what teams?
- MJL

nope

I saw a lot of things about his game that I liked. And he's a clear upgrade and a solid addition to the Flyers defense. But I'm also not under any illusions as to what he is. He is not a top pair defenseman, nor is he a shut down defender. He may not be elite in any one category, but he is just solid and steady all around. He is a set him and forget him defenseman.
But here's one thing I will guarantee. If the Flyers don't make any other upgrades, and they are forced to overplay him, and overuse him in the wrong match ups. He will become a whipping boy for the fans. He is not a player who should be playing 24 minutes a game against top lines game in and game out. If they use him that way, he is going to struggle at some points. But that won't be his fault, it will be out of necessity. And many won't take that into account.
- MJL

And I think he could compliment a Shea Weber or PK Subban or Drew Doughty type....he plays that smart game where he can adapt to what's needed....now that being said, we don't have that guy.....that's not an easy spot to play...our best offensive guy is Streit...for now.....and your assessment on him being an upgrade was correct...he's a 19-21 minute guy who just does a lot of things good....no glaring holes...

His gold weighs more than mine, but that's ok. If he weren't a ranger, I wouldn't hate him so much. He also doesn't strike me as remotely Swedish either.
- hammarby31

I was noticing Zuccs doesn't have much accent either. When you study the second language from first grade on, you end up with little or no accent. It's universal in Sweden. I wonder if it's true in Norway as well.

But I guess he's not going to tell us how, or what teams?
- MJL

With the 17th pick, the Flyers are unable to select anyone.

With the 17th pick, the Flyers are unable to select anyone.
- PhillySportsGuy

It's pretty wide open for them at #17 if they stay & don't move back

I hate you Rangers! I hate you so much!!!

It's pretty wide open for them at #17 if they stay & don't move back
- ob18

I would prefer moving back and collecting picks for next year. I think the draft boards will look very different from team to team after the first 10 picks.

I would prefer moving back and collecting picks for next year. I think the draft boards will look very different from team to team after the first 10 picks.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd think teams would be more willing to offer up picks for this year if they moved back.

I'd think teams would be more willing to offer up picks for this year if they moved back.
- ob18

I'm sure. I just hate the idea of having no 2nd rounder next season in a deep draft.

I'm sure. I just hate the idea of having no 2nd rounder next season in a deep draft.
- PhillySportsGuy

We'll see, maybe Hexy is able to swing a deal if one is able to be made.

It's pretty wide open for them at #17 if they stay & don't move back
- ob18

hello embiid18