Never a good thing when some one gets hurt...but from a team stand point I don't see how they miss a beat. Hopefully it's Morin. Macdonald has been ok, but let's not pretend he's an above average top 4 talent at this point. Maybe he has been cast as such on philly, that doesn't make it so.

Who do you think the ugliest person is on this forum?
- Mononoke

Never a good thing when some one gets hurt...but from a team stand point I don't see how they miss a beat. Hopefully it's Morin. Macdonald has been ok, but let's not pretend he's an above average top 4 talent at this point. Maybe he has been cast as such on philly, that doesn't make it so.
- landros 2

I hope they don't but I can see how they might. AMac is their top RD and the Flyers only have one right handed shooter on D and the lefty Hagg plays well there. After that, it gets tricky unless you want to flip Provorov or Gostisbehere. The results the Flyers have gotten so far defensively have been well above average. They're second in the league in GAA. AMac deserves some credit for that.

It's great to see how quickly people are to jump all over a guy who has been terrific so far this season not that he is injured. AMac has had a season worthy of his 5 mill contract not to mention put his body on the line like that during a pivotal moment in the game. AMac despite his past struggles has been a class act and a warrior. Not once did he complain when sent to the miniors and not once did he complain about being booed on opening night. He has stuck with this team through thick and thin and honestly, with the way fans have treated players in the past, it's a wonder that players still want to play for us.....

It's great to see how quickly people are to jump all over a guy who has been terrific so far this season not that he is injured. AMac has had a season worthy of his 5 mill contract not to mention put his body on the line like that during a pivotal moment in the game. AMac despite his past struggles has been a class act and a warrior. Not once did he complain when sent to the miniors and not once did he complain about being booed on opening night. He has stuck with this team through thick and thin and honestly, with the way fans have treated players in the past, it's a wonder that players still want to play for us.....
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Well said.

It's great to see how quickly people are to jump all over a guy who has been terrific so far this season not that he is injured. AMac has had a season worthy of his 5 mill contract not to mention put his body on the line like that during a pivotal moment in the game. AMac despite his past struggles has been a class act and a warrior. Not once did he complain when sent to the miniors and not once did he complain about being booed on opening night. He has stuck with this team through thick and thin and honestly, with the way fans have treated players in the past, it's a wonder that players still want to play for us.....
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Yeah, i feel so bad for a guy who is paid millions of dollars to play a game.

Poor guy.

Yeah, i feel so bad for a guy who is paid millions of dollars to play a game.

Poor guy.
- ggunky

It's great to see how quickly people are to jump all over a guy who has been terrific so far this season not that he is injured. AMac has had a season worthy of his 5 mill contract not to mention put his body on the line like that during a pivotal moment in the game. AMac despite his past struggles has been a class act and a warrior. Not once did he complain when sent to the miniors and not once did he complain about being booed on opening night. He has stuck with this team through thick and thin and honestly, with the way fans have treated players in the past, it's a wonder that players still want to play for us.....
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Get over yourself bro, it happens everywhere

Put Morin in, let him and the other rookies get their experience now rather than later. Endure some short-term pain, maybe, for the long-term gains.

It's great to see how quickly people are to jump all over a guy who has been terrific so far this season not that he is injured. AMac has had a season worthy of his 5 mill contract not to mention put his body on the line like that during a pivotal moment in the game. AMac despite his past struggles has been a class act and a warrior. Not once did he complain when sent to the miniors and not once did he complain about being booed on opening night. He has stuck with this team through thick and thin and honestly, with the way fans have treated players in the past, it's a wonder that players still want to play for us.....
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Agreed, well said.

There is also a difference between the obligatory praise -- when you specifically ask a teammate about a player -- and players wanting to make sure the guy gets some credit. More than once, when Provorov has fielded questions about his individual success, he has also made sure to send some credit to MacDonald for being what he considers an easy partner to play with.

Yes, that speaks to Provorov's maturity and future leadership potential of his own -- clearly, Provorov could find success with a variety of different partners -- but also speaks to the respect that MacDonald gets in the room regardless of what fans think about him.
- bmeltzer

I thought MacDonald was playing the best hockey of his Flyers career. He hasn’t looked out of place except for a gaffe here or there. Shame to see him out, but it’s Morin-time now.

Don't wish injury on anyone.........now we get to see who steps up.
- ob18

I would never wish an injury on anyone but with this said, with Mac in the line up, there is never an opportunity to explore different options when it comes to our most gifted defensemen. One season after Timonen sits out, Mac takes his place next to Coburn. Ghost is called up, he rips up the league and Mac is instantly out with him. Provorov enters the league, no better option to pair with Provorov than Andrew MacDonald.

I have to correct myself and own this mistake. In the last five years to my twenty years as a Flyers fan. I've never heard a great respect than I have of two players. Whether it be rumblings from the dressing room, through media and fans alike. I've never heard a more greater respect for Andrew MacDonald and NHL legend Jaromir Jagr.

I apologize in advance if this upsets the over night Mac fans.

I would never wish an injury on anyone but with this said, with Mac in the line up, there is never an opportunity to explore different options when it comes to our most gifted defensemen. One season after Timonen sits out, Mac takes his place next to Coburn. Ghost is called up, he rips up the league and Mac is instantly out with him. Provorov enters the league, no better option to pair with Provorov than Andrew MacDonald.

I have to correct myself and own this mistake. In the last five years to my twenty years as a Flyers fan. I've never heard a great respect than I have of two players. Whether it be rumblings from the dressing room, through media and fans alike. I've never heard a more greater respect for Andrew MacDonald and NHL legend Jaromir Jagr.

I apologize in advance if this upsets the over night Mac fans.
- SuperSchennBros

MacDonald is an NHL role player, no more and no less. He's overpaid but he's far from garbage, and he is someone whom teammates respect more than fans do. BTW, while they are different types of defensemen, I'd take Andrew MacDonald on my team's third pairing over Luke Schenn if there was a one-or-the-other choice for the D6 spot, and I'm not a Schenn basher.

I agree with you and I am not a MacD fan, he was playing well, still fumbled the puck and fell down to much but hate to change the chemistry. Injury bug has hit. at worse MacD is a 3rd paring D.

MacDonald is an NHL role player, no more and no less. He's overpaid but he's far from garbage, and he is someone whom teammates respect more than fans do. BTW, while they are different types of defensemen, I'd take Andrew MacDonald on my team's third pairing over Luke Schenn if there was a one-or-the-other choice for the D6 spot, and I'm not a Schenn basher.
- bmeltzer

Bill, not you too with the Schenn stuff...

I don't think you try to alter any of the pairings at this point. If AMac can play with Provy, so can Manning. You fit him into the slot for a couple of games, and if things go sour, you can always recall Morin and try to mix the pairings.

Morin only plays LD, so you are limited. Do you want to use a third pairing of Morin/Sanheim, even if they are somewhat sheltered? I don't think the coaches want that right now. Ghost/Hagg are untouchable at this point, so again your options are limited. Manning gets a ton of unnecessary hate as well. He won't kill you out there, especially if he is matched with Provy.

Bill, not you two with the Schenn stuff...
- SuperSchennBros

You bash MacDonald but still defend Luke, who is also a role-playing, shot-blocking D type (just of a different sort) who was once miscast as a top-of-the-lineup guy. The way today's NHL is, for better or worse, the MacDonald type in that role is the guy who is preferred. And, again, I'm not a Schenn basher.

Flyers might avoid a call up unless it's really needed. That would take up cap space that could hurt them with bonus money.
- MJL

I think they will probably play Tuesday as is before making a recall for their trip. We go Canada stop home than head to the mid west for b2bs. I'm assuming they'll have to mac on ir since weal and leier are out and were carrying read lehtera now.

I don't think you try to alter any of the pairings at this point. If AMac can play with Provy, so can Manning. You fit him into the slot for a couple of games, and if things go sour, you can always recall Morin and try to mix the pairings.

Morin only plays LD, so you are limited. Do you want to use a third pairing of Morin/Sanheim, even if they are somewhat sheltered? I don't think the coaches want that right now. Ghost/Hagg are untouchable at this point, so again your options are limited. Manning gets a ton of unnecessary hate as well. He won't kill you out there, especially if he is matched with Provy.
- boxcar65

I don't have a problem with the idea of trying out a Morin-Sanheim pairing and trying not to overextend them. Manning is even less of a top-pairing type than MacDonald is. Will be interesting to see what is done at practice today.

I don't think you try to alter any of the pairings at this point. If AMac can play with Provy, so can Manning. You fit him into the slot for a couple of games, and if things go sour, you can always recall Morin and try to mix the pairings.

Morin only plays LD, so you are limited. Do you want to use a third pairing of Morin/Sanheim, even if they are somewhat sheltered? I don't think the coaches want that right now. Ghost/Hagg are untouchable at this point, so again your options are limited. Manning gets a ton of unnecessary hate as well. He won't kill you out there, especially if he is matched with Provy.
- boxcar65

MacDonald is a defenseman who has experience playing a high minute role against top lines. Manning does not. I support Manning as a player and think he's better than some give him credit for but Manning for 20 minutes a night against top lines is not a good idea.

Get over yourself bro, it happens everywhere
- Giroux_Is_God

I'll take that hyperbole meant to be in support of a player that deserves it over a lot of the nonsense said about MacDonald.

You bash MacDonald but still defend Luke, who is also a role-playing, shot-blocking D type (just of a different sort) who was once miscast as a top-of-the-lineup guy. The way today's NHL is, for better or worse, the MacDonald type in that role is the guy who is preferred. And, again, I'm not a Schenn basher.
- bmeltzer

Macdonald is what he is. In certain situations he is very useful. I would easily take him over Schenn, but think he's being mis cast in his over use here. I do think his best days are behind him, but have no problem with him as a role player in the bottom pairing with the occasional scratch. The issue I had with Macdonald is he got away from what got him that contract which was that simple game and solid d zone presence where he got himself in shooting lanes....don't know if contract killed his confidence but he wouldn't be the first.

Gonna be a fun day in here.

FWIW, I thought AMac, who I've been critical of in the past, has played solid to very well this season. Should he be playing on the top pair? No, he shouldn't, but right now it's what they have.

With him out, the coach will likely give Manning a shot before going with Morin. Keeping that in mind, and recognizing that breaking up the pair of Hagg/Ghost would be foolish right now, I'm guessing we see on Tuesday:

Provorov-Gudas
Ghost-Hagg
Manning-Sanheim

You bash MacDonald but still defend Luke, who is also a role-playing, shot-blocking D type (just of a different sort) who was once miscast as a top-of-the-lineup guy. The way today's NHL is, for better or worse, the MacDonald type in that role is the guy who is preferred. And, again, I'm not a Schenn basher.
- bmeltzer

Agree with this 100% I would take AMac over Luke Schenn any day.

Provorov-Hagg
Morin-Ghost
Sanheim-Gudas

Keeps a rookie on each pair, along with a puck mover. Seems balanced.
- Mononoke

I think Ghost should stay on the left and Sanheim move over to the right. Have the 3 LD and 3 RD and then just mix up the pairings as needed during the game