Flyers acquire MacDonald from Islanders

The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired defenseman Andrew MacDonald from the New York Islanders on Tuesday afternoon.

Less than an hour ago, both Frank Seravalli from the Daily News and Arthur Staple of Newsday reported the news.

Philly has sent a third-round pick this season, a second-round pick in 2014 and minor-league defenseman Matt Mangene to Uniondale in the transaction.

The asking price, on its face, seems very steep. Mangene was injured, undersized and miscast in his role, yet apparently good enough to become trade bait, despite an undistinguished period playing in Glens Falls right out of the University of Maine.

MacDonald, an unrestricted free agent in July, made it known that he wanted off the Island after rejecting Garth Snow's offer of a four-year contract extension worth about $16 million. 

He's the second piece to the defensive puzzle to arrive from Long Island, after the club snagged the rights to Mark Streit and then signed him to a $21.5 million deal over four years last June prior to the draft.

The native of Nova Scotia has totaled four goals and 20 assists for 24 points in 63 games for the last place club in the Metropolitan Division.  He led the Islanders and is currently ranked eighth in the NHL in average ice time at 25:25 per game, and he leads the NHL with 198 blocked shots.

Giving up the two selections seems to indicate that in future transactions, particularly those involving UFAs Andrej Meszaros and Steve Downie, will include recouping of what was lost. 

Due to roster restrictions, Michael Raffl has been assigned to the Phantoms. Rosters are set to expand tomorrow with the passing of the trade deadline. Raffl, though, doesn't have to clear waivers in order to return to the NHL.