why the urgency? wonder if this spells the end for kimmo. probably trying to get ahead of the free agent game where guys like macdonald would get overpaid. homer probably saved himself a few million, but it doesnt make it a good deal. there's not a lot of good alternatives though in this upcoming class.. you either gotta get them via trade or develop them for years. homer gon homer

CFP wrote:Terrible

He's been pretty good since he got here and that's the market value. It's comparable to Carle\Wideman/etc

So judging by this contract, if Kimmo retires, Streit and MacDonalad are your top pairing next season.

a million per more than i would've liked but close to what i was expecting. wouldn't be surprised if they move someone for a pretty dman in a trade.

PTOITWCFTPP wrote:

CFP wrote:Terrible

He's been pretty good since he got here and that's the market value. It's comparable to Carle\Wideman/etc

Heard the same thing about Grossmann as well. At least he is only 3.5 million.

grossmann has gone to shit. his contract isn't a killer though and he's a completely different player than macdonald.

I just don't see MacDonald as a top pairing guy on a good team, but you are pretty much paying him like 1 for the next 6 years.

http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2014/4 ... -zone-play

From a defenseman’s perspective, it’s pretty simple. If you breakup the rush before it comes into your zone, that’s ideal. It’s hard to generate a shot or a scoring chance if you can’t get in the offensive zone. If you force your opponent to dump it in deep, they now have to go get it back, which may or may not happen. The worst case scenario is allowing them to carry the puck into the zone where they are free to take a shot.

What Eric found was that MacDonald was the worst on the team in all three areas among the regulars. He was targeted the most at 47.6%, he allowed carry-ins the most often at 78.1%, and he broke up the fewest rushes at 4.7% (Erik Gustafsson had a lower percentage, but in only 31 games).

If we compare that to Braydon Coburn, who was the best in all three categories, it’s quite a difference. Coburn had a target percentage of 21.1%, a carry-against percentage of 62.8%, and a break-up percentage of an impressive 11.7%.

analytics are so tough in hockey with the constant flow of variables in play. i'm torn. there is something to be said that mac/schenn are leading the flyers in targets (57) and carry-ons (80). stuff like the picture breakdown where d-men allow space for entry drives me nuts, especially when they fall back on the goalie and close their own space. it is what you make of it, he's a D-man who plays controlled and tries keep the puck and the man in front of him, thats how he racks up the shot-blocks and stays responsible in his own zone. There's room for those kind of players on the backend, just probably not top pairing, but could pass on the 2nd pairing. he faced other teams top lines as an Islander and generally you don't want skill guys bringing it into the zone unimpeded ready to set up.

Rather focus on signing Gostisbehere.

Squire wrote:Rather focus on signing Gostisbehere.

He is making a decision today.

heyeaglefn wrote:

Squire wrote:Rather focus on signing Gostisbehere.

He is making a decision today.

What's there to decide? Staying in school does him nothing

PTOITWCFTPP wrote:

heyeaglefn wrote:

Squire wrote:Rather focus on signing Gostisbehere.

He is making a decision today.

What's there to decide? Staying in school does him nothing

Sure it does......it makes him a UFA free to sign with any NHL team.

If Homer manages to lose him, there will be riots.

heyeaglefn wrote:If Homer manages to lose him, there will be riots.

What else can Holmgren do other than offer him a entry level contract? It's not like he's going to low ball him.

Brantt wrote:

heyeaglefn wrote:If Homer manages to lose him, there will be riots.

What else can Holmgren do other than offer him a entry level contract? It's not like he's going to low ball him.

Give him the Jesus Shuttleworth treatment.

Gostisbehere has been signed, will report to the Phantoms for the rest of their season.

http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=714887

Awesome.

robhinkle wrote:Gostisbehere has been signed, will report to the Phantoms for the rest of their season.

http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=714887

Great news.

Sounds like Mason isn't a sure thing to play Thursday.