MacDonald had one year left on his six-year contract that carries a $5.0M cap-hit. His buyout will carry a $1.167M cap-hit this season and $1.917M next. Terminating MacDonald’s contract opens up a roster spot for some of the Flyers’ up-and-coming young defensemen like Samuel Morin.
MacDonald was not on the ice for Thursday’s morning skate and will not play against the visiting Hurricanes. Christian Folin will replace him on the Flyers third pair.
MacDonald has not played since October 13th, but will replace Christian Folin in the lineup tonight. MacDonald has picked up one assists, six PIMS and six shots on goal on five shots this season.
MacDonald was originally expected to miss the first two weeks of the regular season, but GM Ron Hextall said he was progressing ahead of schedule. MacDonald doesn’t carry a lot of fantasy value, but plays a key role on the Flyers’ blueline—he averaged 19:51 TOI in 66 games last year while playing with Ivan Provorov.
MacDonald skated on the top pair with Ivan Provorov in the Flyers practice on Sunday and it looks like he will return after missing the last 15 games with a leg injury. With MacDonald back in, Samuel Morin is expected to be a healthy scratch and could very well head back to the AHL.
MacDonald suffered the injury while blocking a Milan Lucic in the third period of Saturday’s win over the Oilers. The blocked shot was his sixth of the game, but will cost him at least one month. With MacDonald out, rookie defenseman Samuel Morin could get a shot with the big club following a strong training camp.
MacDonald has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to return to the lineup tonight, replacing Shayne Gostisbehere, who will be a healthy scratch. MacDonald has one goal and two assists in 10 games this season.
MacDonald was hurt in the Flyers’ overtime win over the Red Wings on Wednesday and will miss Thursday’s game and approximately one week with a lower-body injury. With MacDonald out, Nick Schultz will get back in to the lineup.
MacDonald suffered the injury in Sunday’s loss to the Penguins and is listed as day-to-day and won’t play in a pivotal game vs. Detroit on Wednesday. He will be replaced by Evgeny Medvedev.
MacDonald missed Saturday’s game in Florida with a lower-body injury, but is expected to play Tuesday vs. the Red Wings. MacDonald has three assists, 15 shots and 37 blocked shots in 13 games with the Flyers this season.
With Luke Schenn out for the next two weeks and Radko Gudas suspended for one more game, the Flyers needed a defenseman, so they've recalled MacDonald. The 29-year-old has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 23 games with Lehigh Valley this season.
MacDonald is owed $25.75M over the next five years and if he clears waivers and is sent to the AHL, he will represent over $4M in dead cap space. After a breakout 2013-14 season, MacDonald has struggled since being traded and re-signing with the Flyers—he has just two goals and 14 assists (16 points) in 77 games with Philly.
MacDonald was hit by a shot in the hand on Wednesday and reportedly suffered a fractured right hand. The 28-year-old had 12 points (2G / 10A) in 58 games this season.
With MacDonald out because of the death of his grand moth, Carlo Colaiacovo was in the lineup. MacDonald is expected to be back for Sunday’s game vs. the Sabres.
MacDonald served as a healthy scratch on Thursday, but with Nicklas Grossmann out with an upper-body injury, MacDonald was paired with Mark Streit in practice on Friday. Expect him to skate there tomorrow if Grossmann is out.
