New Flyer Andrew MacDonald is ‘Open’ to Return

PHILADELPHIA — The TV was on in the Flyers’ locker room, tuned in to coverage of the NHL trade deadline as if it were the forecast for a big storm.

“It’s not ’til 11:30 that it really hits,” Jake Voracek said.

(Listen to Flyers insider Dave Isaac on the Sports Bash discuss the Andrew MacDonald trade)

He was right on. That’s roughly when the New York Rangers swapped captains with the Tampa Bay Lightning – Ryan Callahan for Martin St. Louis, with a couple draft picks involved also.

The Flyers’ biggest move came the day before, acquiring Andrew MacDonald from the New York Islanders for forward prospect Matt Mangene, a 2015 second-round pick and a 2014 third-round pick. MacDonald was taking a pregame nap in Winnipeg when Islanders GM, former Flyers goalie Garth Snow, called him to tell him he’d been traded.

“I always loved playing in this rink,” the 27-year-old defenseman said. “It’s a great atmosphere. New York we were on the losing end of it more times than not, which was unfortunate, but I’m really happy to be on this side of the club now.”

MacDonald will make his Flyers debut against the Washington Capitals Wednesday night, playing on a defense pair with Luke Schenn. Andrej Meszaros, a potential trade target, will be a healthy scratch.

MacDonald will also be on the second power-play unit on the point with Mark Streit, with whom he was partnered with for three years on Long Island.

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