Ughhhhh
Amac is putrid. His horrible play in contagious! awful performance yet again..
I agree AMac is not a very good Dman. He's really a #4 guy. But unfortunately you will see, this offseason we are going to pay him like a #2, snow has no choice. He's not going to let him just walk.
I still like Amac. Just wish the coach would use him better (less) and never on the PP.
Amac is leading the league in blocked shots - by ten, already.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/statistics/player/_/stat/defensive/sort/blockedShots
3rd in time on ice. Mostly because of injuries and inexperienced guys at 4/5/6. 27 minutes is a lot and he hit 30 tonight with OT.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/statistics/player/_/stat/timeonice
He's a solid 3/4 and is being asked a lot right now. I appreciate what he does for us. If he sticks around for another contract (in his prime then), he will be an asset used properly once Griff and Pulock arrive and settle in.
How solid was he when he solely caused the last Red Wing tying goal last night? His failed clearing attempt was pathetic; he panicked and slapped the puck carelessly which was stopped of course. Then he got shoved on his butt in the crease (in the way of Poulin) while flopping doing nothing as the puck deflected off his elbow into the net.
Is it really outside the realm of possibility that his lack of sharpness, especially late in games, is at least partly due to the fact that he's being asked to take on the same type of role that's usually reserved for the likes of a Weber/Chara/Keith?
AMac must STAY
First off he's a victim of circumstances, forced to fill the role of Visnovsky (who makes 4.7 million compared to AMacs 500k ) So we all knows he plays more minutes then anyone. Why ? One because he can, two because he is a utility player, works PP, works PK and also works with Hamonic a our shutdown pairing against top lines.
So if not AMac, who fills this role ? Why isn't it Hamonic who makes $3.8 million ? Or would you prefer Carkner or Donovan to do this ?
Tired of the AMac haters, he's overworked and asked to do more then he has ever done or yes has the skill to do, but you want him gone, give your dam head a shake.
Yes he's a SOLID #3-4 defensemen. His plus-minus is minus -4. Those who have played more then half our games, we only have three guys with a positive plus minus. And yet he's logging all this ice time against # 1 lines many nights. When Vis returns, watch AMac improve as the workload lightens.
For 500k , he's a STEAL, ask any GM. We better sign him soon before someone else realizes his value.
Bumping this bad boy to the top. It should be a hilarious night for Mr. MacDonald.
Is it really outside the realm of possibility that his lack of sharpness, especially late in games, is at least partly due to the fact that he's being asked to take on the same type of role that's usually reserved for the likes of a Weber/Chara/Keith?
He was a gamble to sign a 4yr one way contract to. It worked out for both sides. He get financial security and earned a spot on the roster and developed well.
Now, he's pushy close to 28 mins a night on a Barrie blue line. He's wearing down, but GMs notice a minute eater that can step up when asked. He just has no supporting cast around him.
He'll get rewarded this offseason. I believe the Isles will retain him before the end of the season. Add Viz and another experienced NHL d-man and he'll be fine and worth the 3.5 mil per season he will get get at a minimum over a 4/5 yr deal.
I would like to know how big a priority MacDonald's extension is, seeing him struggle so badly this season.
Has anyone read or heard anything about an extension?