we want to talk about the Rangers offensive depth? Come on.

7 20-goal scorers on the Flyers. SEVEN.

Enough defeatism. Flyers in 6.

After sleeping on it, I hate the MacDonald contract more than I did yesterday. I guess on the eve of the playoffs starting, now isn't the time to worry about it.
- PLindbergh31

it would have been an easy pill to swallow had McDonagh not gone for the same amount of years and less money at almost identical times.

Think of it this way - He's likely a perennial 2nd pairing defenseman for a long time and at $5M/season, that probably won't be too unreasonable as the cap raises significantly over the next few years. Not to mention, he was a UFA and someone was probably gonna throw money at him. He likely got what he would have received on the open market. Remember when we let Matt Carle walk? That didn't sit well with a fair amount of fans. Carle didn't even have the shot blocking talent that Amac has.

Lastly, look at how his presence has helped Luke Schenn. Amac's ability to take al offensive pressure off of Schenn has turned him from hot garbage into useful.

It was kinda like a 2 for 1 deal.

Did they overpay him? yeah. Was it terrible? nah. and they can survive it.

All this being said, I reserve my right to hate the deal and trash Homer later. I'm just trying to point out silver linings.

I wonder what Berube is going to start with. I would not at all mind Akeson playing in place of Downie over McGinn. Kid has that jump and wants to prove he can play. Should keep everyone on their toes.

After sleeping on it, I hate the MacDonald contract more than I did yesterday. I guess on the eve of the playoffs starting, now isn't the time to worry about it.
- PLindbergh31

Is this really going to be discussed again? Facts are:

1. He got market value and could have gotten more if went to free agency and bidding war started.
2. Kimmo is likely gone next year so locking up AMAC made sense.
3. By locking up AMAC they know where they can allocate funds for other holes and what trades can be made and if they decide to move someone like Schenn or Grossmann then they know they already have a good dman signed.
4. He is a solid defender and the thing not talked about enough is that since he started playing with Schenn, Schenn as played much better so it upgraded another dman.

it would have been an easy pill to swallow had McDonagh not gone for the same amount of years and less money at almost identical times.

Think of it this way - He's likely a perennial 2nd pairing defenseman for a long time and at $5M/season, that probably won't be too unreasonable as the cap raises significantly over the next few years. Not to mention, he was a UFA and someone was probably gonna throw money at him. He likely got what he would have received on the open market. Remember when we let Matt Carle walk? That didn't sit well with a fair amount of fans. Carle didn't even have the shot blocking talent that Amac has.

Lastly, look at how his presence has helped Luke Schenn. Amac's ability to take al offensive pressure off of Schenn has turned him from hot garbage into useful.

It was kinda like a 2 for 1 deal.

Did they overpay him? yeah. Was it terrible? nah. and they can survive it.

All this being said, I reserve my right to hate the deal and trash Homer later. I'm just trying to point out silver linings.
- Hesh_

THIS. EVERY LAST WORD.

After sleeping on it, I hate the MacDonald contract more than I did yesterday. I guess on the eve of the playoffs starting, now isn't the time to worry about it.
- PLindbergh31

What's the problem with the MacDonald contract?

What's the problem with the MacDonald contract?
- MJL

I'm guessing it's at least one of the following:
- His CORSI sucks
- He's a 5th defenseman
- Chara makes less money
- He's not good at all
- I hate every move that the organization makes. They're always wrong.

it would have been an easy pill to swallow had McDonagh not gone for the same amount of years and less money at almost identical times.

Think of it this way - He's likely a perennial 2nd pairing defenseman for a long time and at $5M/season, that probably won't be too unreasonable as the cap raises significantly over the next few years. Not to mention, he was a UFA and someone was probably gonna throw money at him. He likely got what he would have received on the open market. Remember when we let Matt Carle walk? That didn't sit well with a fair amount of fans. Carle didn't even have the shot blocking talent that Amac has.

Lastly, look at how his presence has helped Luke Schenn. Amac's ability to take al offensive pressure off of Schenn has turned him from hot garbage into useful.

It was kinda like a 2 for 1 deal.

Did they overpay him? yeah. Was it terrible? nah. and they can survive it.

All this being said, I reserve my right to hate the deal and trash Homer later. I'm just trying to point out silver linings.
- Hesh_

All good points. But if we want to compare it to the McDonagh contract. He signed his deal as an expiring RFA. If McDonagh was an expiring UFA, with that leverage, what would he get. Trust me, the Rangers wouldn't be able to re-sign for 5M a year.

I just want to see a hard fought series by the Flyers. I really feel like the rangers are in the flyers head much like the flyers are in the penguins head. The Flyers tend to make this team look so good and often play into their hands.

Hate to say it but Rangers in 6

All good points. But if we want to compare it to the McDonagh contract. He signed his deal as an expiring RFA. If McDonagh was an expiring UFA, with that leverage, what would he get. Trust me, the Rangers wouldn't be able to re-sign for 5M a year.
- MJL

Oh, yes they would have. You find a way to keep players like that.

I see what your trying to say though.

All good points. But if we want to compare it to the McDonagh contract. He signed his deal as an expiring RFA. If McDonagh was an expiring UFA, with that leverage, what would he get. Trust me, the Rangers wouldn't be able to re-sign for 5M a year.
- MJL

I agree. More points to show the Amac deal wasn't so terrible.

I only mentioned that because of how it looked on paper. I sided with Homer on this signing. That's not always the case with me.

Oh, yes they would have. You find a way to keep players like that.

I see what your trying to say though.
- mochoson

Maybe mis-understood what I'm saying. I'm not saying that the Rangers wouldn't be able to keep him. But it would cost significantly more then 5M a year. That was my point.

Oh, yes they would have. You find a way to keep players like that.

I see what your trying to say though.
- mochoson

They would have, but his point was they would have had to pay more (MUCH more) than $5M if he was a UFA.

All good points. But if we want to compare it to the McDonagh contract. He signed his deal as an expiring RFA. If McDonagh was an expiring UFA, with that leverage, what would he get. Trust me, the Rangers wouldn't be able to re-sign for 5M a year.
- MJL

No McDonagh is a near 7 mil defenseman on the open market.

I am actually salivating at the thought of Ghost QBing the 1st PP in place of Timonen.

-Think of the sharp crisp passes he makes
-Think of his recovery speed to get to the boards to keep the puck in, and his ability to chase down breakaways against.
-Think of his booming one timer that will need to be respected on that unit, something it is lacking now.

This kid is going to be a flyer next year, he is too fast his positioning work won't need to be perfect off the bat.

I think you guys are arguing different aspects of the same side of an argument.

I just want to see a hard fought series by the Flyers. I really feel like the rangers are in the flyers head much like the flyers are in the penguins head. The Flyers tend to make this team look so good and often play into their hands.

Hate to say it but Rangers in 6
- Just5

Hard-fought is all were asking for. Guys like Hartnell, Simmonds, Rinaldo, and Hall are going to be why we win this series if we do.

We just can't over-complicate things. This team is built around Henrik Lundqvist. So we should be rolling 4 lines, and someone from each of those lines should be just above his crease every second we spend in the offensive zone.

One of the simpler rules of sports: "Don't let the other teams best player beat you". The absolute last thing I wanna see is the Flyers give a good effort in 5-6 games but lose because they couldn't get enough pucks or pressure around Henrik Lundqvist.

I'm not talking taking 30+ shots a game. I'm talking about making plays. This isn't a team where you can just throw the kitchen sink at them offensively and hope for good results. They'll let us take bad shots all day.

Maybe mis-understood what I'm saying. I'm not saying that the Rangers wouldn't be able to keep him. But it would cost significantly more then 5M a year. That was my point.
- MJL

You would be correct, I misinterpreted. Gotcha.

After sleeping on it, I hate the MacDonald contract more than I did yesterday. I guess on the eve of the playoffs starting, now isn't the time to worry about it.
- PLindbergh31

At the end of the season, trade him to the Leafs for Phaneuf (7 for 7) then you'll have a contract that you'll REALLY hate!

What did people want MacD for? I think it's a good deal, considering there's no NTC/NMC involved. Maybe a year or 2 too long? But then the AAV goes up. He's only turning 28 beginning of next season.

Would 4M a year have appeased the masses? Is 1/70th of the cap worth quibbling over?

No McDonagh is a near 7 mil defenseman on the open market.

I am actually salivating at the thought of Ghost QBing the 1st PP in place of Timonen.

-Think of the sharp crisp passes he makes
-Think of his recovery speed to get to the boards to keep the puck in, and his ability to chase down breakaways against.
-Think of his booming one timer that will need to be respected on that unit, something it is lacking now.

This kid is going to be a flyer next year, he is too fast his positioning work won't need to be perfect off the bat.
- Just5

I think at some point next year, he'll at least get a cup of coffee with us. He definitely needs to start the year in the AHL, however. Let him get his feet wet and get acclimated. Nothing wrong with letting him play 20+ minutes a night.

That being said, the Phantoms have been pretty bad for a few seasons now, so I don't want him spending anymore time their than needed. He should probably spend most of next season there, but if the coaches think he's ready, he'll probably be up at some point next year.

This should be an interesting series. The Flyers have to find a way to solve Hank. He is the difference maker, without him I don't think the Rags would beat the Flyers. Rinaldo will have to be very careful after his suspension, but he will need to play tough. G and Mason, if he plays, will need to step up for the team.

I think at some point next year, he'll at least get a cup of coffee with us. He definitely needs to start the year in the AHL, however. Let him get his feet wet and get acclimated. Nothing wrong with letting him play 20+ minutes a night.

That being said, the Phantoms have been pretty bad for a few seasons now, so I don't want him spending anymore time their than needed. He should probably spend most of next season there, but if the coaches think he's ready, he'll probably be up at some point next year.
- mochoson

I think he'll get a fair look at training camp. There's probably going to be at least 1 spot open between Gus/Ghost/Lauridsen/Alt. I think Gus and Lauridsen have the best chances (NHL experience and each one brings a different skill set), although I think it will truly be an open competition. I think Morin proved he could use one more QMJHL season to work out some more rough patches, and I don't think Hagg's ready yet. But I'll say this: for the first time in forever (since we drafted JvR), I'm actually excited for rookie/prospect camp.

Now I know what it's like to be a Devils' fan (league arbitrarily reversing sanctions), without the horribleness that comes with being a Devils' fan.
- jmatchett383

Thought they'd make him sit out the Memorial Cup opening game and then let him play

I can't wait for tomorrow night. As we wait I was thinking about the future and the backend. I think AMAC, Coby and one of Grossmann/Schenn are definates next year. I think Alt will get a long look as he is a good skating dman with size. Also think there could be a low risk move on a dman like del zotto if he doesn't get a qualifying offer from NSH. I think the ship on Gustaffson has saild since Ghost is signed. Can do pretty much the same but better. Laurdison i see more of a 7th damn. But never know with homer. Could pull out the good old offer sheet and go after PK Subban since cap is going up.

I think he'll get a fair look at training camp. There's probably going to be at least 1 spot open between Gus/Ghost/Lauridsen/Alt. I think Gus and Lauridsen have the best chances (NHL experience and each one brings a different skill set), although I think it will truly be an open competition. I think Morin proved he could use one more QMJHL season to work out some more rough patches, and I don't think Hagg's ready yet. But I'll say this: for the first time in forever (since we drafted JvR), I'm actually excited for rookie/prospect camp.
- jmatchett383

Morin will absolutely need another junior year. Hopefully Ghost's presence in camp takes a little pressure off the kid from our jackass reporters. I am excited for the Phantoms next year and yes rookie camp this summer