Flyers make move for defender Andrew MacDonald

Andrew MacDonald will be an asset when he joins the Flyers
blue line attack. Credit: Getty Images

The Flyers addressed a key weakness Tuesday, less than 24 hours prior to Wednesday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline when they traded for Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald.

In return for the 27-year-old, the Flyers gave New York a third round pick in 2014 and second round pick in 2015.

MacDonald leads the NHL in blocked shots, and can give the Flyers’ blue line a boost offensively as well, as the veteran has 24 points in 2014.

According to NHL insiders, MacDonald is viewed as a reliable third-line defenseman on a good team, and has played alongside current Philadelphia defender Mark Streit from 2008 through 2013.

He is owed just $550,000 this year, the final of his four-year contract, though many believe he will be re-signed instead of rented for just one year.

His acquisition also makes it more probable that the Flyers could deal higher priced Andrej Meszaros or Erik Gustafsson before the trade deadline.

According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Flyers are asking for a second-rounder for Meszaros.