RockLobster
King in the North
When exactly has MacDermid ever exhibited a positive influence on the team in the way you described?Macdermid's positive influence on this team was when he could fight, defend our players and have other team be scared to do any anything dumb but once he got knocked out last time I saw him fight I knew that it was all over for him. Just like Landy in his early years I was so glad he did not drop his glows against Lucic way back when in Boston.
This mindset of a player like MacDermid being necessary to "defend star players and have [the] other team be scared to do anything dumb..." is both antiquated and inaccurate in today's game.
For one, MacDermid has never gone out after a big hit and done anything. In fact I believe we've seen, over the years, other players dishing out the fighting retribution when the Avs think a hit/play was dirty. In addition, MacDermid--like any other face puncher (Reaves, et al) is never going to be on the ice with the star players in order to exact some immediate retribution in the face of a dangerous hit/play. This is the same argument that I heard on NHL Network Radio after the Leafs signed Reaves. There was one guy, I think Mike Johnston, who was just shutting that shit down. He had no time for that pointless mindset.
These guys don't do anything other than take up a roster spot and (at times valuable) cap space.