Season Preview: Andrew MacDonald

Andrew MacDonald

Position: Defenseman
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 187 lbs
Birthdate: September 7, 1987 (25 years old)
Birthplace: Judique, Nova Scotia, Canada
Acquired: Draft - 6th Round, 160th Overall, 2006 NHL Entry Draft

2010-2011 Teams: New York Islanders
2010-2011 Stats (NYI): 60 GP - 4 G - 23 A - 27 P - 37 PIM
2011-2012 Team: New York Islanders
Team Role: Top-4 Defenseman

Last year: After cups of coffee in the 2008-09 season and the 2009-10 season, MacDonald was finally called upon to be a full-time for the Islanders in 2010-11. He did not disappoint one bit, as he played solidly in all aspects of the game. With 27 points in 60 games, MacDonald proved that he is strong both offensively and defensively at the NHL level. MacDonald also found himself on IR twice last year, and the Isles did not perform well when he was out of the lineup, which shows his importance to the team. MacDonald finished the season on IR, as he underwent hip surgery. He played one pre-season game but is expected to be ready for the season opener.


Expectations: MacDonald is going to have a boatload of responsibility again this season, as he joins Mark Streit and Travis Hamonic as the Isles three most reliable defensemen. MacDonald will certainly be expected to play over 20 minutes a night, especially against the opponent's top forwards. He will play in all situations and will be expected to be a key contributor for the team. However, he has to stay healthy for the Isles to be successful this season. MacDonald is coming off a major injury, and he needs to be given some leeway for that, but if he misses any extended period of time, the Isles will not be able to compensate with their current depth. If he stays healthy, he is a candidate to break-out with the above average offense in front of him.

Projections: 61 GP - 5 G - 24 A - 29 P

Thoughts:

CH: MacDonald is turning into an absolute steal of a draft pick. Drafted on Ted Nolan's recommendation, MacDonald has developed into a legitimate NHL defenseman with a real chance to be a top-4 defenseman for a long time. He contributes in all aspects of the game, has good hockey sense, skating ability, and defensive instincts. It's no surprise that he was awarded an "A" at times last season, given his advanced on-ice maturity. Isles GM Garth Snow extended MacDonald for four years at a very cheap rate, which has become one of his best moves over the past couple of years. With three years left on that contract, the Isles should get plenty out of MacDonald for years to come.

AT: With the progression he's made in terms of his game, MacDonald's contract is looking like one of the smartest moves Garth Snow has made as a GM so far. To have such a high caliber defenseman like MacDonald on the roster at such a low cap hit - just about league minimum - is truly great for this team and allows for the expansion of the defense in the future as players like Hamonic and Streit look for new deals, and as players like Pedan, Donovan and Mayfield come into the NHL. MacDonald's overall play has jumped in major leaps and bounds, and his defensive work last year was impeccable. Always predicting the play appropriately, a major force in keeping the puck in the zone during powerplays, and skating ability that allows him to rush the puck up the ice and keep up with even the quickest of forwards. MacDonald's proving to be a steal of a pick, and if his progression continues at this rate could become a top 15 defenseman in the league.

Speculation: Martinek Won't Be Back Next Season

New York Islanders

According to Chris Botta at Islanders Point Blank, the Islanders will most likely not bring defenseman Radek Martienk back to Long Island next season. Martinek has been an Islander his entire career, since 2001-02 and has played 453 games for the team. Botta implies that Snow may be looking for an upgrade on the defensive corps in free agency, which begins July 1.

CH: To me, this is the most prudent move by Snow and the Islanders. There is no question Martinek was a very good Islander - he played here for a long time at a high level. But he is getting up there in age, and he's always had questions about his durability. The Islanders already have 6 defensemen under contract for next season: Mark Streit, Mark Eaton, Milan Jurcina, Andrew MacDonald, Travis Hamonic, and Mike Mottau. They also have three restricted free agents in Ty Wishart (will be back), Jack Hillen (debatable), and Bruno Gervais (extremely unlikely), not to mention prospects such as Calvin de Haan and Matt Donovan, who are just a little Bridgeport seasoning away from potentially making an NHL impact.

The Islanders, without question, need to upgrade their defense. The team finished 27th in goals against last season, which is not good enough. With Martinek as a free agent, he is the easiest to let go, as he is a fringe top-4 guy, but more likely a 3rd pairing guy on good teams. So while guys like de Haan and Donovan develop, the team needs to bring in a top-4 guy like Eric Brewer (reportedly close to an extension with Tampa Bay), who will be here for the next few years as the team transitions from lottery team to playoff contender. Martinek does not fit that profile. That said, keeping the door open is also smart. If the Islanders happen to strike out in free agency on the back end, bringing in Martinek for one more year will make sense. Either way, the team cannot go into next season with the same D-corps as this season. Martinek will land on his feet either in the NHL or in Europe, and I wish him the absolute best.

AT: While Martinek was, quite amazingly, the most healthy D-man last year, it's time for the Isles to move on. He's a solid D-man but the Isles NEED to get better, and with the possibility of a top 4 d-man coming in and a bottom pairing of Eaton and Jurcina with Hillen and Mottau as the 7 and 8, there's just very little room for Martinek. I see Garth going hard for someone like Scott Hannan if he fails to draft Hamilton with the 5th pick. Martinek was a great guy and nothing but nice and I wish him the best, but it's time for the Isles to push this rebuild into 2nd gear.