Fair enough, though I expect that he will also replace Giroux as the guy who takes a D zone draw in the last minute of the period as well. I don't think Gordon will be here beyond this year, but I get the signing. THey needed to do something that would reduce the ridiculous amount of faceoffs that G had to take last year and also allow them to reduce the amount of time G has to spend on the PK. And, unlike White, Gordon rarely, if ever, takes bad penalties.
- BiggE

Good points. And I understand what skillset he brings. I was just told that he would be a main part of the PK unit more than just win, clear, sit.

I'd bench matt read.
- 2Real

I'd rather have Read and Lyubimov in over VDV

Loved what Utley did last night, I really want to see the Phillies west win it all.
- BiggE

Not a chance. Cubs are winning it this year.

I'd rather have Read and Lyubimov in over VDV
- nastyflyergirl

That's like saying you'd rather take a baseball bat to the face than get run over by a pickup.

You can draw your own inferences based on the facts.
- Feanor

I only use facts, sir

I've been critical of AMAC (more about his salary) in the past but he played well in the playoffs and had a very good camp...give credit when credit is due. hopefully he can carry the good play into the regular season. he will never be worth that contract but that doesn't mean he can't be a good contributor to the team
- nastyflyergirl

He was okay. He played well over the first 2 pre-season games, but then I thought he regressed back to his normal self.

I think A-mac (and if he were paid accordingly) could make a solid 3 pairing d-man. I have said that all along. His biggest problem is that he really isnt good at anything besides blocking shots. His neutral zone play is by far the worst on the team. He is extremely passive. He skates well, but doesnt really use that to his advantage.

If I were Hak I would ask more of him from an aggressive standpoint. Join the rush. Initiate contact. Stop giving up the blue line EVERYTIME.

Not a chance. Cubs are winning it this year.
- mickel25

thats what the curse wants you to think

I am ecstatic that the Jays knocked out those punks from Texas, and that Stinky made the error that cost the game. Probably no team I hate more. Not crying that Boston is out. I want to see my Jays win it all, but even to make it to the dance and lose to the Cubs would be a successful year. They're a juggernaut.
- Hextall271

I don't like Toronto because of their fans.
I don't like Boston because of their hypocritical fans.
I don't like Washington because of their management.
I don't like San Francisco because of their former closer and current catcher, plus Tim Lincecum's haircut ca. 2010.

Good points. And I understand what skillset he brings. I was just told that he would be a main part of the PK unit more than just win, clear, sit.
- jmatchett383

I agree. Didnt realize he was seriously going to be a FOGO guy.

I'm not sure Laughton has done enough to stay with the big club at this point, let alone warrant top 6 minutes.

That spot is Brayden Schenn's when he's done his suspension.
- johndewar

Yeah, I am an idiot. Totes is Schenners spot and should be. Just forgot about him.

Ultimately when all healthy, I think he goes to the AHL. No spot for him to be handed.

thats what the curse wants you to think
- YuenglingJagr

This team is immune. Seriously, they are a LOT better than anyone left. They do everything well.

Looking forward to the start of a new season!

Not looking good for Read, coming to the end of his rope.

Really excited for another year of AMac discussions.

http://thehockeywriters.com/the-top-10-goalie-prospects-in-the-nhl/
- jak521

not a bad list but how does Matt Murray get #1 while ignoring almost all of the other "prospects" that are now in the NHL...there are at least 3 others I would have put on there

Good points. And I understand what skillset he brings. I was just told that he would be a main part of the PK unit more than just win, clear, sit.
- jmatchett383

When they played their opening night lineup against Boston he was a main part of the PK unit.

https://www.nhl.com/gamec...tate=final,game_tab=stats

That's like saying you'd rather take a baseball bat to the face than get run over by a pickup.
- jmatchett383

well yeah, I'd sooner see Leier and Lyubimov........

I've been critical of AMAC (more about his salary) in the past but he played well in the playoffs and had a very good camp...give credit when credit is due. hopefully he can carry the good play into the regular season. he will never be worth that contract but that doesn't mean he can't be a good contributor to the team
- nastyflyergirl

When they played their opening night lineup against Boston he was a main part of the PK unit.

https://www.nhl.com/gamec...tate=final,game_tab=stats
- Feanor

So you're saying that Bill is incorrect, and he WILL be a main part of their PK unit as opposed to a win, clear, go to bench type? Not saying Bill is infallible, just getting contrasting reports.

Or, maybe they didn't win the faceoff/clear the puck and he was stuck out there because of it.

He was okay. He played well over the first 2 pre-season games, but then I thought he regressed back to his normal self.

I think A-mac (and if he were paid accordingly) could make a solid 3 pairing d-man. I have said that all along. His biggest problem is that he really isnt good at anything besides blocking shots. His neutral zone play is by far the worst on the team. He is extremely passive. He skates well, but doesnt really use that to his advantage.

If I were Hak I would ask more of him from an aggressive standpoint. Join the rush. Initiate contact. Stop giving up the blue line EVERYTIME.
- jak521

Besides shot blocking, MacDonald is solid in defensive coverage, a solid puck mover, and competent in the offensive zone. He sometimes plays too cautiously, but in my opinion the criticism of his neutral zone play is overblown. The value of MacDonald, which Bill has written about numerous times, is that while he is not great in any one area, he is a versatile player that can do a lot of things decently, and can eat up minutes in all situations. He is capable of playing 2nd pair minutes in the NHL, and giving solid play. He won't ever live up to his contract, but he's a significantly better player than given credit for. Hopefully, his excellent camp, which is reinforced by his coach saying exactly that, is a sign that he has gotten over the confidence issues he had, which I think originated from the pressure of the contract. We'll see. Pre season is one thing. Regular season is another.

I don't like Toronto because of their fans.
I don't like Boston because of their hypocritical fans.
I don't like Washington because of their management.
I don't like San Francisco because of their former closer and current catcher, plus Tim Lincecum's haircut ca. 2010.
- jmatchett383

Blue jays fans are good it's the Leafs fans that blow!

Besides shot blocking, MacDonald is solid in defensive coverage, a solid puck mover, and competent in the offensive zone. He sometimes plays too cautiously, but in my opinion the criticism of his neutral zone play is overblown. The value of MacDonald, which Bill has written about numerous times, is that while he is not great in any one area, he is a versatile player that can do a lot of things decently, and can eat up minutes in all situations. He is capable of playing 2nd pair minutes in the NHL, and giving solid play. He won't ever live up to his contract, but he's a significantly better player than given credit for. Hopefully, his excellent camp, which is reinforced by his coach saying exactly that, is a sign that he has gotten over the confidence issues he had, which I think originated from the pressure of the contract. We'll see. Pre season is one thing. Regular season is another.
- MJL

His neutral zone deficiencies are overblown, but it is an area of concern for him. As far as an in-zone defender, he's very capable, and he is solid yet unspectacular in the offensive zone. If he could improve his play between the blue lines and be more aggressive at his own line, I'd have no issues with him as a player.

Blue jays fans are good it's the Leafs fans that blow!
- 3flyerkids

Yep.

Yep.


- jmatchett383

I love the dude in the lower left corner who bears more than a passing resemblance to the perp. He's like "wasn't me, bro."

Yep.


- jmatchett383

Well not all of them

Besides shot blocking, MacDonald is solid in defensive coverage, a solid puck mover, and competent in the offensive zone. He sometimes plays too cautiously, but in my opinion the criticism of his neutral zone play is overblown. The value of MacDonald, which Bill has written about numerous times, is that while he is not great in any one area, he is a versatile player that can do a lot of things decently, and can eat up minutes in all situations. He is capable of playing 2nd pair minutes in the NHL, and giving solid play. He won't ever live up to his contract, but he's a significantly better player than given credit for. Hopefully, his excellent camp, which is reinforced by his coach saying exactly that, is a sign that he has gotten over the confidence issues he had, which I think originated from the pressure of the contract. We'll see. Pre season is one thing. Regular season is another.
- MJL

Like I actually said in my post. He is a good shot blocker. There are certainly other things he is okay at.. He can skate, he is able to make a solid first pass when he doesnt play to conservatively, he is capable of eating up minutes, however, I dont think 2 pair is where he is best suited. His aggression is probably my biggest problem with him. I didnt like trading for him. I didnt like his play in his initial season (post TDL and playoff) and the carry over after the horrific contract. I think it is completely telling that he was an AHL player for the majority of last season despite being paid as a top 20 d-man (thats a guess). I just dont have enough trust in him to have him slotted in our top 4 every night.

Also think that if he was the capable all situations plug and go top 4 d-man that you say he is he would not be completely impossible to trade. He also wouldnt have been a 5 million dollar paper weight for the majority of last year either.

I pull for the guy because it is in the best interest of the team and because he seems like a good enough dude. I just really dont like him as a player because of his short comings, which I really dont think are too overblown.

His neutral zone deficiencies are overblown, but it is an area of concern for him. As far as an in-zone defender, he's very capable, and he is solid yet unspectacular in the offensive zone. If he could improve his play between the blue lines and be more aggressive at his own line, I'd have no issues with him as a player.
- jmatchett383

Agree with both you and MJL on Amac and I think a lot of the deficiencies were exacerbated by how poor we were with offensive zone puck possession.

With improvements that we have seen with zone time in the pre-season...I am cautiously optimistic. Jake for one has been a wrecking crew on keeping the puck in the zone.