Avs fan here, just wondering what it'd take to nab MacDonald away from the Isles? Stastny? McGinn+ ?
If you wait another season you may not have to give up anything. He's going to command a big raise and I just don't see the Islanders paying it. I hope they can sign him to a relatively short deal at a reasonable cost but this is his chance for his first big contract and I don't think he's going to pass it up. He's got to command at least 2 mil a year if he continues to play like he has.
SLAPSHOT723
QU! Bobcats!
I see no reason to move him and why he can't be re-signed. He's too valuable to this team to move.
InformTheMasses
Registered User
Darth Milbury
Registered User
Why are you guys so convinced the isles will not design him? Not like steady young dmen grow on trees.
Next to Hamonic, he was probably our most important defenseman last year.
Next to Hamonic, he was probably our most important defenseman last year.
PWJunior
Stay safe!
AMac is miscast on the Isles where he is looked upon to form the shutdown pairing with Hamonic. He plays a ton of minutes, but he's probably more of a good 3rd pairing guy. He's great at blocking shots and isn't bad positionally. He's just not very physical. I do give him credit for being able to avoid huge hits, but he still gets cranked from time to time.
I'm interested to see what happens with him with this being his contract year, looking for a big raise (he deserves it after making peanuts for 4 years), and the Isles have a ton of young defenseman coming down the pike as early as next season. He could be available at the start of the season if Donovan and someone like CDH really impress at training camp. If he's moved, it could be at the trade deadline if one of the young guys emerge and take away minutes from him. Snow also has a penchant for holding onto UFA's for the season to keep the chemistry intact. Looks like that could be the most likely scenario. It could go any number of ways.
It wouldn't be worth it for Colorado because the Isles probably won't take futures as they are building to win now and AMac is still a very useful player for the season who makes $575K. I guess we'll see.
blinkman360
Loyal Players Only
I like MacDonald a lot, but if de Haan stays healthy next year and plays at the level I think he's capable of playing at, I'd absolutely make AMac available at the deadline. He carries a lot of value, and should still carry a lot as a rental.
It's a big "if" with de Haan, but if he can stay on the ice he would be my ideal choice for Hamonic's pairing. After that, you'll have Strait as well as Reinhart being ready for the 2014-15 season, as well as Hickey as the #7 and Pedan knocking on the door in Bridgeport -- all LD's. Losing AMac wouldn't be that big of a blow, IMO.
Everything will depend on de Haan, IMO.
As far as the value goes, not sure. Maybe a 1st or a high-end wing prospect. Nothing wrong with keeping the system stocked.
It's a big "if" with de Haan, but if he can stay on the ice he would be my ideal choice for Hamonic's pairing. After that, you'll have Strait as well as Reinhart being ready for the 2014-15 season, as well as Hickey as the #7 and Pedan knocking on the door in Bridgeport -- all LD's. Losing AMac wouldn't be that big of a blow, IMO.
Everything will depend on de Haan, IMO.
As far as the value goes, not sure. Maybe a 1st or a high-end wing prospect. Nothing wrong with keeping the system stocked.
redbull
Boss
- Mar 24, 2008
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Stastny and MacDonald
Arguably the most over-paid and under-paid players in the final year of their contract. Maybe their next contract will be reversed, with AMAC getting $6MM and Stastny getting $600k?
Stastny's a very good hockey player who's getting Horcoff-criticized at times, unfairly too. Snow won't pay that money to Stastny but I'd make that deal in a second.
I think the Islanders will re-sign MacDonald in the 4-5 years and $3-4MM range. But I can see MacDonald looking to get more and he WOULD get more as a UFA. He's been a top pairing defenseman (23min+) for the past four years, never made $600k a year, is a warrior out there - and if John Michael Liles can get $4mm on for 4 years, Paul Martin, Carl Gunnarsson - AMAC will get a huge raise.
I hope they re-sign him but I expect him to walk - like Parenteau. It's as simple as he's worth more on the open market than the Islanders should pay. But I hope it works out. I could be wrong, as I was with Moulson, and he might stay (but Moulson had a much better reason to stay - #91)
AMAC's agent will say "I can get you 5 years, $20-25mm (plus my commission!), and a no trade, on a competitive team" - and Snow will say "Thanks for an amazing seven years with our organization. You've been amazing for us. Best of luck"
Losing AMAC will be tough but he SHOULD be replaceable among deHaan, Donovan, Reinhart, Mayfield, Pulcok, Pokka, Pedan by as early as next year (not ideal but it's likely someone will surprise and make the NHL) - and if not, a stop gap like a Strait, Hickey, Martinek, Carkner or a UFA could fill-in, short term.
It's not that I think the Isles don't want him back. I just think he is going to command more than what they are willing to pay, ESP with the Dmen they have in the system.
blinkman360
Loyal Players Only
Stastny and MacDonald
Arguably the most over-paid and under-paid players in the final year of their contract. Maybe their next contract will be reversed, with AMAC getting $6MM and Stastny getting $600k?
Stastny's a very good hockey player who's getting Horcoff-criticized at times, unfairly too. Snow won't pay that money to Stastny but I'd make that deal in a second.
I think the Islanders will re-sign MacDonald in the 4-5 years and $3-4MM range. But I can see MacDonald looking to get more and he WOULD get more as a UFA. He's been a top pairing defenseman (23min+) for the past four years, never made $600k a year, is a warrior out there - and if John Michael Liles can get $4mm on for 4 years, Paul Martin, Carl Gunnarsson - AMAC will get a huge raise.
I hope they re-sign him but I expect him to walk - like Parenteau. It's as simple as he's worth more on the open market than the Islanders should pay. But I hope it works out. I could be wrong, as I was with Moulson, and he might stay (but Moulson had a much better reason to stay - #91)
AMAC's agent will say "I can get you 5 years, $20-25mm (plus my commission!), and a no trade, on a competitive team" - and Snow will say "Thanks for an amazing seven years with our organization. You've been amazing for us. Best of luck"
Losing AMAC will be tough but he SHOULD be replaceable among deHaan, Donovan, Reinhart, Mayfield, Pulcok, Pokka, Pedan by as early as next year (not ideal but it's likely someone will surprise and make the NHL) - and if not, a stop gap like a Strait, Hickey, Martinek, Carkner or a UFA could fill-in, short term.
I'm actually embarrassed that I couldn't resist...
Aside from that, you need to look at it this way: do you want to pay MacDonald for what he's done, or for what you want him to be for the duration of his new contract?
He's been a top-pairing guy so far, but in a perfect world I think the Isles would like to either have one of their top prospects take over that 1st pairing spot, or bring in a true #1 or 2 from the outside. Either way, the goal should be to have MacDonald on the 2nd or 3rd pairing. With that said, do you want to be paying a 2nd pairing guy $5M? $4M is a little high but is reasonable, I suppose. Although I doubt they would even go that high. I don't think MacDonald will go for anything less, TBH.
I doubt he will get 4mil even if he hits the open market. I'm guessing about 3mil and I don't think the Islanders will even go that high.
Darth Milbury
Registered User
Why not? They gave Hamonic 3.8 million X 7 years. Its not hard to imagine them given MacDonald a 3 x 5 deal or something of that nature.
blinkman360
Loyal Players Only
Exactly. Guys like Matt Carle are getting 5.5M. The cap will most likely be going up. MacDonald has proven to be a minutes eater for quite some time now. I'm sure a lot of teams would be comfortable offering him $4M, and if that's the case then I wouldn't be surprised to see one of those teams "have to have him" and offer him that extra mil.
I mean, look at what Streit got at 36 years of age, coming off a year where he played at a 3rd pairing level.
Darth Milbury
Registered User
Yup. I could actually see MacDonald getting what Hamonic is being paid.
And, btw, last season, I would say that AM was about as valuable as TH.
MacDonald had a horribly inconsistent year last year. He had a terrible first half. Maybe it had to do with Hamonic being banged up, and trying to overcompensate for the places Hamonic wasn't getting to. I don't know, but it wasn't pretty. He was much better in the 2nd half, but - of course - Hamonic was much better too.
Probably MacDonald was being overplayed in the first half. For that reason I think it's ridiculous to consider *either* Hamonic or MacDonald to be our best D-man last year. Our best D-man was certainly Visnovsky, and it wasn't particularly close. The numbers bear it out, too. Visnovsky might be no better defensively without the puck than MacDonald, but he's far *less* likely to miss an opportunity to clear or maintain possession out of the defensive zone once he gets the puck.
MacDonald is a good defender. But as time goes on, he will be the most replaceable Islanders D-man.
Probably MacDonald was being overplayed in the first half. For that reason I think it's ridiculous to consider *either* Hamonic or MacDonald to be our best D-man last year. Our best D-man was certainly Visnovsky, and it wasn't particularly close. The numbers bear it out, too. Visnovsky might be no better defensively without the puck than MacDonald, but he's far *less* likely to miss an opportunity to clear or maintain possession out of the defensive zone once he gets the puck.
MacDonald is a good defender. But as time goes on, he will be the most replaceable Islanders D-man.
blinkman360
Loyal Players Only
Meh, not really sure I can compare them. MacDonald and Hamonic consistently got the toughest assignments and the most minutes. Visnovsky had a great year but I don't know if I can say that he was better, considering he had much less responsibility.
IMO, Hamonic was our most important defenseman. Not sure if that means he was our best...
CREW99AW
Registered User
- Mar 12, 2002
- 40,928
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He plays shutdown minutes, alongside Hamonic on the first pairing.
He makes $550,000 compared to Stastny'$6.5m.
Isles have a better chance of getting McDonald to sign a reasonable extension, then they would getting Stastny to sign a reasonable extension.
And also, the isles are stronger at center, then on defense. I don't see the isles in the mix for Stastny.
CREW99AW
Registered User
- Mar 12, 2002
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I guess we will see. I think the isles would jump at an extension, paying $3m per. They were prepared to pay 35yr old Streit $4.75m per and his play is on the decline.
As more talented defensive prospects make the roster, McDonald will be pushed down the depth chart. $3m for a 2nd pairing D, is not an overpayment.
As a fellow Maritimer I have a huge card collection of his, so hoping he stays on the Island. http://s717.photobucket.com/user/DeanCrandall/library/MacDonald?sort=4&page=1 Think last year being a short season he did not get the benefit of preseason play, and Hamonic was hurt early playing through ankle injury didn't help either, but late in the year AMac was back to 2012 form, did all the little things right, SOLID.
RMimagery
Registered User
- Jul 22, 2006
- 3,622
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Cant see Amac going anywhere, I think he gets re-signed.
He almost lead the league in blocked shots, seemingly doing whatever he can to prevent a shot. When he blocked Malkin's heavy shot with his hand in the playoffs, he was clearly missed in games 5 and 6.
Not a top pairing guy but an adept 2nd pairing guy with some offense and his D is improving. He sees the ice well and makes the steady play. I'm hoping he stays.
He almost lead the league in blocked shots, seemingly doing whatever he can to prevent a shot. When he blocked Malkin's heavy shot with his hand in the playoffs, he was clearly missed in games 5 and 6.
Not a top pairing guy but an adept 2nd pairing guy with some offense and his D is improving. He sees the ice well and makes the steady play. I'm hoping he stays.
ScaredStreit
Registered User
AMAC will be 27 this upcoming season. That doesn't make him a dinosaur-but he is not a "young" player either.
RMimagery
Registered User
- Jul 22, 2006
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Dmen generally mature a few years behind forwards.
How about we trade "young"?
Not like steady dmen entering their prime years grow on trees. His next 4 years could be his best.
I think he's a big part of what's growing here and he'll want to see it through. He'll probably accept a fair contract, around 3-3.5/yr, which he's definitely worth. He knows there are a ton of D prospects licking their chops to get a roster spot this year and the next few years. Look for him to step up his game.
To answer the OP's question .. Stastny is being paid more than Tavares and doesn't produce or provide nearly as much, so he's most likely not welcome on our team..
As for AMac's value to us - five years at $2.8 to $3.0 million per would be what I hope we sign him for.. Based on his play these past few years, we'd be idiots to let this guy leave our organization so long as his contract demands aren't out of line..
Yes, we have some high end talent on the way.. but it's not like we're set up to have the deepest blue line in the NHL in 2014-15.. AMac is a player we need for at least the next half decade, but most urgently I feel we need him in the next 2-3 seasons..
As for AMac's value to us - five years at $2.8 to $3.0 million per would be what I hope we sign him for.. Based on his play these past few years, we'd be idiots to let this guy leave our organization so long as his contract demands aren't out of line..
Yes, we have some high end talent on the way.. but it's not like we're set up to have the deepest blue line in the NHL in 2014-15.. AMac is a player we need for at least the next half decade, but most urgently I feel we need him in the next 2-3 seasons..
If we keep resigning all these mediocre dman, where does the influx come from? How does our below average d get any better?
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