Screen Shot 2014-03-04 at 4.04.42 PMThe Flyers will send a third round draft pick in 2014, a second round draft pick in 2015, and prospect Matt Mangene to the Islanders in exchange for MacDonald*, who will be a free agent this summer. As pointed out by Dave Isaac, this gives the Flyers nine defensemen, meaning a roster move should be coming soon.

MacDonald was on the Islanders’ top defensive pairing and leads the team in minutes this year, but Lighthouse Hockey provides a less than enthusiastic scouting report:

However, underlying on-ice stats paint him to be one of the Isles’ least effective defensemen at net shot generation vs. shot prevention. His hyped “shutdown” pairing with partner Travis Hamonic ends up not shutting enough opponents down nearly often enough. While every traditional number paints him as a guy who can and will command a contract in the range of $5 million per year, those underlying stats put a “buyer beware” tag on him.

Beware, at least, if one plans to pay MacDonald (and use him) commensurate with the role he’s played with the Islanders this season. But that’s for the summer. In the meantime, many teams could use a minute-logging, shot-blocking defenseman with some offensive ability on a league-minimum salary.

Meh. Can never have too many serviceable defensemen.

*Hate HATE that spelling of MacDonald.