No, it's not the narrative the beats have used, it's the tired narrative that you have used, with a complete lack of objectivity towards the player. He played well last year once he was called up and helped the Flyers push towards and make the playoffs. Then you blamed MacDonald when Gostisbehere struggled due to an issue with his hip, and his own dip in play. That continues to this season, where MacDonald had a strong camp and pre season. Here is the narrative of his coach, Dave Hakstol

http://www.csnphilly.com/...ot-flyers-his-versatility


“Mac has had a really good camp,” coach Dave Hakstol said. “He’s played a lot of hockey and he’ll get tomorrow
- MJL[at Rangers] off. He’s been excellent.

“Whether he has been on right side or left side or whatever partner he was with, I think he has had an excellent camp. … He’s been versatile, which is a key strength of our team.”

My only issue with Mac is his deal. I don't care where he plays, just so long as it's not the top pair on a regular basis. He's better than Manning and I'm not a very big believer in paying a 5 million dollar per season to play in the NHL.

3rd and 4th lines are on paper not going to scare many teams right now. Not sure about Raffl on top line, but he did have spurts of playing well up there before.

3rd and 4th lines are on paper not going to scare many teams right now. Not sure about Raffl on top line, but he did have spurts of playing well up there before.
- Buzzo

I have a feeling that when he gets healthy they try to kick start laughton up there...

3rd and 4th lines are on paper not going to scare many teams right now. Not sure about Raffl on top line, but he did have spurts of playing well up there before.
- Buzzo

Raffl is likely on the top line until Schenn returns. For the most part once Schenn, Gudas and Del Zotto return, players are likely to be sent down. Scott Laughton had an uneventful camp. Most believe he will be sent down once he returns from injury, which for now I believe to be the logical choice.

I have a feeling that when he gets healthy they try to kick start laughton up there...
- jak521

Laughts gets healthy and the lines will probably become

Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Konecny-Couturier-Voracek
Laughton-Cousins-Weise
Bellemare-Gordon-Raffl

I see them sending him to the AHL when he gets healthy like roenick97 said

I see them sending him to the AHL when he gets healthy like roenick97 said
- YuenglingJagr

Yep. He's only in the NHL until he gets healthy, assuming there aren't other injuries that occur.

I think he's better than several players on the roster, but playing top minutes in the AHL may do more for his confidence than playing 10-11 minutes of 4th line hockey at the NHL level.

So, is everyone else happy that VDV gets to spend another season gifted an NHL spot.

Oh, and AMac sucks blah blah blah.

So, is everyone else happy that VDV gets to spend another season gifted an NHL spot.
- jmatchett383

thrilled

Bill, is Boyd Gordon really going to be a spare/faceoff guy on the PK? I figured he would be a top penalty killer

Bill, is Boyd Gordon really going to be a spare/faceoff guy on the PK? I figured he would be a top penalty killer
- YuenglingJagr

He has to be. We're counting on him to be a key offensive contributor. I mean, there's no way we'd give a guy a spot if all he can do is win faceoffs, right?

I see them sending him to the AHL when he gets healthy like roenick97 said
- YuenglingJagr

Are you sure you want to agree with me? Because I believe we should possibly consider signing Streit to a Short term bridge gap for one year if a player in his prime such as Michael Del Zotto prices himself out by wanting a longer term expansive deal.

Bill, is Boyd Gordon really going to be a spare/faceoff guy on the PK? I figured he would be a top penalty killer
- YuenglingJagr

It's basically the role Adam Hall used to play. You don't just take a faceoff and jump off the ice. Even if you win the draw, you still have to clear the puck out of the zone.

Other than his familiarity with Hak's system, I just don't get what they see in VDV. IMO, they be better off with a 4th line of: Lyubimov-Gordon-Read and Lyubimov can replace VDV on the PK.

3rd and 4th lines are on paper not going to scare many teams right now. Not sure about Raffl on top line, but he did have spurts of playing well up there before.
- Buzzo

Raffl will drop to the 3rd line as soon as Schenn returns.

Other than his familiarity with Hak's system, I just don't get what they see in VDV. IMO, they be better off with a 4th line of: Lyubimov-Gordon-Read and Lyubimov can replace VDV on the PK.
- BiggE

You're not alone.

It's basically the role Adam Hall used to play. You don't just take a faceoff and jump off the ice. Even if you win the draw, you still have to clear the puck out of the zone.
- bmeltzer

I prefer the term (lax bro yo) FOGO. Faceoff get off.

Laughts gets healthy and the lines will probably become

Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Konecny-Couturier-Voracek
Laughton-Cousins-Weise
Bellemare-Gordon-Raffl
- dragonoffrost

I don't think so, at least not right away. I think once he's healthy, Laughton will be spending some time at LHV before he gets another shot with the big club.

Other than his familiarity with Hak's system, I just don't get what they see in VDV. IMO, they be better off with a 4th line of: Lyubimov-Gordon-Read and Lyubimov can replace VDV on the PK.
- BiggE

Couldn't agree more.

It's basically the role Adam Hall used to play. You don't just take a faceoff and jump off the ice. Even if you win the draw, you still have to clear the puck out of the zone.
- bmeltzer

Exactly, the optimal use of Gordon is to hopefully have him win the FO clean and get off the ice as soon as possible. That way, if a few seconds later you end up with another D zone draw calling for a RH center, he's ready to go right back out there and you don't need to use G.

Laughts gets healthy and the lines will probably become

Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Konecny-Couturier-Voracek
Laughton-Cousins-Weise
Bellemare-Gordon-Raffl
- dragonoffrost

Laughton has a lot of work to do to leapfrog Raffl, and he'll have to do some of it in the AHL.

He would be there right now if he hadn't got hurt because Lyubimov took his roster spot.

Exactly, the optimal use of Gordon is to hopefully have him win the FO clean and get off the ice as soon as possible. That way, if a few seconds later you end up with another D zone draw calling for a RH center, he's ready to go right back out there and you don't need to use G.
- BiggE

So he's basically a faceoff robot?

You're not alone.
- jmatchett383

It just doesn't make sense to bring Lyubimov up to sit, he needs to play. If his role is 13th forward for the next 3 games, why not just bring up a vet like CMac?

That being said, while Read certainly has wowed anybody in preseason or over the last 2 years, he is still a better all around player than VDV.

It's basically the role Adam Hall used to play. You don't just take a faceoff and jump off the ice. Even if you win the draw, you still have to clear the puck out of the zone.
- bmeltzer

I definitely get that, but I just mean I figured/hoped he was more of a Vandevelde replacement. He played top PK minutes in Arizona