The Philadelphia Flyers took what doesn't exactly constitute a "hit," to their defensive corps late last week when lumbering defenseman Luke Schenn was injured during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but it certainly complicates their roster situation nonetheless. Schenn, a former first-round pick former Flyers GM Paul Holmgren acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs straight-up for blossoming forward James van Riemsdyk, hasn't seen much in the way of big minutes this season. He's a slow-moving, stay-at-home defender who struggles with consistency and, as such, has found himself on the ice for an average of just 17:50 during the early portion of the 2015-16 NHL season. Still, his loss, which will last two weeks, according to CSN Philly's Tim Panaccio, combined with Radko Gudas' suspension and Mark Streit's injury, leaves the Flyers and head coach Dave Hakstol in something of a bind.
Enter Andrew MacDonald. MacDonald, along with his exorbitant $30 million salary, was banished to the AHL earlier this season in a shocking move by Philly GM Ron Hextall that opened up a tiny bit - about $950,000's worth, - of cap space and allowed the team some breathing room personnel-wise. According to Frank Seravalli of TSN, the Flyers recalled MacDonald on Monday.
#Flyers have recalled defenceman Andrew MacDonald from AHL Lehigh Valley. His $5M salary cap hit has been buried there all season.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 7, 2015
Signed to a head-scratching six-year, $30 million by Holmgren - yet another ill-advised decision Hextall is now doing his best to move the franchise past - MacDonald has spent the entirety of this season with the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. In 23 games, he has one goal, 12 assists and is a plus-4.
While Schenn's injury was the catalyst that finally brought MacDonald back from the AHL, it's actually Gudas' absence that's been the most painful for Philly. Considered a throw-in in the Braydon Coburn trade during last season's pre-NHL trade deadline deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Gudas has been a pleasant surprise for the Flyers. He's a very physical player - his 118 hits are fourth-most in the NHL, were good enough for second at the time of his suspension - and he's been unexpectedly strong with the puck.
This Flyers season likely won't result in a deep postseason run, but the strong play of a guy like Gudas and the revelation that is Shayne Gostisbehere makes Hextall and Hakstol's lives much easier and creates a situation wherein Schenn, long on the trade block, and, when he returns to health, Streit - necessary bodies now - could very well find themselves shipped elsewhere as this year's trade deadline draws nearer.
For the immediate future and the Flyers' Tuesday game against the New York Islanders, it sounds like MacDonald will take Gudas' spot alongside offensive defenseman Michael Del Zotto.
