With the Flyers possibly getting Patrick or Hischier, do you think Filpulla moves to wing? I think if it ends up being Hischier, Filpulla stays at center the year but if Patrick, He'll move out to wing.
- J35Bacher

If I were putting money on something, it would be Hischier playing in the AHL at least the first half of the season. That is more due to the Flyers than it is Hishier though

I think Vegas would be the one to target here. I would offer 2nd overall plus 2018 first overall and MacDonald for the 4th overall and their 2018 first overall. The only way I make this risky trade is if I know Dallas is picking Heiskanen at 3.
- youarewrong

Fantastic idea.

I think Vegas would be the one to target here. I would offer 2nd overall plus 2018 first overall and MacDonald for the 4th overall and their 2018 first overall. The only way I make this risky trade is if I know Dallas is picking Heiskanen at 3.
- youarewrong

Pass.

Feel the same.

Vilardi at 3..Yeah. but in the top 2 I need to take either Patrick or Hischier. and I think it will end up being Patrick.

Just curious what others think but would it be terrible for the Vegas team to pick MacDonald. I know how people feel about him but he could play solid minutes for them, ply some PK. With 3 years left it does allow for them to also let some young defenders develop that they will be drafting.
- J35Bacher

I don't think they will take MacDonald because they can get veteran dmen on smaller contracts from other teams. Decent forwards are going to be the hardest thing for Vegas to get in the expansion draft, so I expect them to take Raffl if he's available.

Sign me up for team Nico and signing ghost long term.

Just curious what others think but would it be terrible for the Vegas team to pick MacDonald. I know how people feel about him but he could play solid minutes for them, ply some PK. With 3 years left it does allow for them to also let some young defenders develop that they will be drafting.
- J35Bacher

I have said that they could pick him because people seem to think he can play in all 3 situations (being good at it is another topic). Logging minutes is a skill, so there is value to a team that is brand new. As it looks right now, there are several other defensemen that need to be protected in some way. I think they will be, which would increase the chances AMac gets picked.

The money is another issue. His salary is higher than his cap hit now. Vegas has said multiple times that money is not an issue and obviously have put up a great amount of money to get a team, so this could not be too big of a concern.

I don't think it is ridiculous to think he gets the last protection slot either.

If I were putting money on something, it would be Hischier playing in the AHL at least the first half of the season. That is more due to the Flyers than it is Hishier though
- YuenglingJagr

Agreed. Unless he adds quite a bit of weight this off-season, I think starting in the AHL is most likely.

FWIW, Jeff Marek seems to think both guys are ready to play in the middle-6 for any team in the NHL next year.

If I were putting money on something, it would be Hischier playing in the AHL at least the first half of the season. That is more due to the Flyers than it is Hischier though
- YuenglingJagr

I think that would be a smart move, unless he has a dominant camp/preseason. It's nice to have the AHL option like the Oilers had this season will Puljujarvi, but didn't have with Draisaitl.

I think that would be a smart move, unless he has a dominant camp/preseason. It's nice to have the AHL option like the Oilers had this season will Puljujarvi, but didn't have with Draisaitl.
- Feanor

Agreed....and I get to watch him easily :D

I have said that they could pick him because people seem to think he can play in all 3 situations (being good at it is another topic). Logging minutes is a skill, so there is value to a team that is brand new. As it looks right now, there are several other defensemen that need to be protected in some way. I think they will be, which would increase the chances AMac gets picked.

The money is another issue. His salary is higher than his cap hit now. Vegas has said multiple times that money is not an issue and obviously have put up a great amount of money to get a team, so this could not be too big of a concern.

I don't think it is ridiculous to think he gets the last protection slot either.
- YuenglingJagr

He's a reliable defenseman that can play in all 3 situations. The PP is a stretch for him but he can handle the puck and make the simple play. I don't see that value translating to a protection slot though. There's both good and bad things to MacDonald leaving. His value just isn't high enough considering all factors to have a need to protect him. If he's picked then you gain cap space and get out of the rest of the contract which may not be that important this upcoming season but could be in future seasons beyond that. In my view of the remaining defenseman, MacDonald ranks 4th on the depth chart. I don't want any veteran players that are not part of the long term vision blocking any young player from making the team. Any young prospect who shows he is NHL ready should make the team in my view and should not be blocked just because a veteran might be a better player now.

Agreed....and I get to watch him easily :D
- YuenglingJagr

Unless Gordon scratches him for Swavely.

He's a reliable defenseman that can play in all 3 situations. The PP is a stretch for him but he can handle the puck and make the simple play. I don't see that value translating to a protection slot though. There's both good and bad things to MacDonald leaving. His value just isn't high enough considering all factors to have a need to protect him. If he's picked then you gain cap space and get out of the rest of the contract which may not be that important this upcoming season but could be in future seasons beyond that. In my view of the remaining defenseman, MacDonald ranks 4th on the depth chart. I don't want any veteran players that are not part of the long term vision blocking any young player from making the team. Any young prospect who shows he is NHL ready should make the team in my view and should not be blocked just because a veteran might be a better player now.
- MJL

I was just saying it wouldn't surprise me. What team wouldn't protect a player on their top defensive pairing, right?

If you want to know my thoughts....well....I think we all know how I feel about him. Using a protection spot on him is a waste of space (so is Manning). If they can't find a 3rd player to protect they could just protect AMac. Hextall and Hakstol both very clearly think higher of him than I do

Unless Gordon scratches him for Swavely.
- Feanor

The Capitals will take down NY.
- Scoob

Let it be written, let it be done.

Feel the same.

Vilardi at 3..Yeah. but in the top 2 I need to take either Patrick or Hischier. and I think it will end up being Patrick.

Just curious what others think but would it be terrible for the Vegas team to pick MacDonald. I know how people feel about him but he could play solid minutes for them, ply some PK. With 3 years left it does allow for them to also let some young defenders develop that they will be drafting.
- J35Bacher

If he had 2 year left maybe, but there will be other vet Dmen available with less term on their deals. I don't think any of the kids we expose will be of much interest to them. I think it ends up being Read or, more likely, Raffl.

With the Flyers possibly getting Patrick or Hischier, do you think Filpulla moves to wing? I think if it ends up being Hischier, Filpulla stays at center the year but if Patrick, He'll move out to wing.
- J35Bacher

He could move to wing, sure. A lot will depend on who they take (as you mentioned) and how well that player does in camp and preseason.

If I were putting money on something, it would be Hischier playing in the AHL at least the first half of the season. That is more due to the Flyers than it is Hishier though
- YuenglingJagr

It would probably make some sense. He could stand to fill out a bit and get a little stronger before making his NHL debut and going from Junior to the AHL is a pretty nice step up. I could see them moving Filpulla at the deadline and bringing the kid up to fill that spot.

I was just saying it wouldn't surprise me. What team wouldn't protect a player on their top defensive pairing, right?

If you want to know my thoughts....well....I think we all know how I feel about him. Using a protection spot on him is a waste of space (so is Manning). If they can't find a 3rd player to protect they could just protect AMac. Hextall and Hakstol both very clearly think higher of him than I do
- YuenglingJagr

It would surprise me greatly. I disagree that protecting Manning is a waste of space. His is a cost controlled and cheap depth defenseman that has value as a 6/7. It makes more sense to use the 3rd slot on Manning then it does on MacDonald in my opinion.

He's a reliable defenseman that can play in all 3 situations. The PP is a stretch for him but he can handle the puck and make the simple play. I don't see that value translating to a protection slot though. There's both good and bad things to MacDonald leaving. His value just isn't high enough considering all factors to have a need to protect him. If he's picked then you gain cap space and get out of the rest of the contract which may not be that important this upcoming season but could be in future seasons beyond that. In my view of the remaining defenseman, MacDonald ranks 4th on the depth chart. I don't want any veteran players that are not part of the long term vision blocking any young player from making the team. Any young prospect who shows he is NHL ready should make the team in my view and should not be blocked just because a veteran might be a better player now.
- MJL

This is true, the problem is that he doesn't play any of the 3 situations particularly well. He's so-so at ES and on the PK and really not a guy you want on the PP. Again, I have nothing against the guy, just the deal they signed him to. If the same player was carrying a cap hit of 3 million instead of 5, I'd have no complaints.

It would surprise me greatly. I disagree that protecting Manning is a waste of space. His is a cost controlled and cheap depth defenseman that has value as a 6/7.
- MJL

It's not optimal, but he's the logical guy for that 3rd spot.

This is true, the problem is that he doesn't play any of the 3 situations particularly well. He's so-so at ES and on the PK and really not a guy you want on the PP. Again, I have nothing against the guy, just the deal they signed him to. If the same player was carrying a cap hit of 3 million instead of 5, I'd have no complaints.
- BiggE

MacDonald is an average at best defenseman.

It's not optimal, but he's the logical guy for that 3rd spot.
- BiggE

Dave Isaac said it should be TJ Brennan.

Dave Isaac is paid actual money to write about the Flyers.

MacDonald is an average at best defenseman.
- MJL

Agreed.

Holmgren felt obligated to sign him after making the trade and overpaid. I still think, knowing that he was determined to sign him, that 5 years at 4.5 million would have got it done. No one was going to offer him any more, and if they did, you bite the bullet and let him walk.

Oh well, water under the bridge.

Dave Isaac said it should be TJ Brennan.

Dave Isaac is paid actual money to write about the Flyers.
- Feanor

Dave Isaac must be shacking up with someone in the Roberts family

Agreed.

Holmgren felt obligated to sign him after making the trade and overpaid. I still think, knowing that he was determined to sign him, that 5 years at 4.5 million would have got it done. No one was going to offer him any more, and if they did, you bite the bullet and let him walk.

Oh well, water under the bridge.
- BiggE

Wasn't it reported the Isles (before trade) wanted to sign him to a similar or higher cap contract? I wonder what Amac would have been offered had he hit free agency that summer. It makes me feel slightly better that other teams would have overpaid too.