When it comes to MacDonald, fans in Boston may be asking themselves: "Who?" But fans in Providence are probably saying: "Thank goodness."
Let’s begin with a reference point regarding MacDonald and the player he most closely resembles in Boston.
"I’m not gonna say Marc Savard," MacDonald said with a laugh.
"I think I’m one of those guys who is going to kill penalties, maybe like a [Daniel] Paille," he continued. "I obviously score more at this level, but I can kill penalties. I’m not good at comparing myself to anybody, so I don’t really know. Most people in Boston are probably like, 'Why the heck are they signing this plug?' I’m just gonna go try to prove people wrong and do my best."
At the AHL level, MacDonald is far from a fill-in, or "plug," as he put it. He’s a reliable two-way forward, top-line shutdown defender, penalty killer, leader and a guy who provides fearless grit and tenacity on the forecheck and in the dirty areas. All the while, he’ll chip in offensively when an opportunity presents itself.
Last season, while somewhat hampered by injuries, the undrafted MacDonald gave Providence 14 goals and 22 points in 64 games in what was his first full AHL season. He spent his prior three years rising through the rankings, with stops in the AHL but a heavy load of ECHL action. Now entering his fourth full pro season, MacDonald marvels at his ascension.
"A couple years ago when I was playing in Reading [in the ECHL], that summer I had no idea what I was doing," remembered MacDonald of the 2008 offseason. "I had nothing, and I signed a Coast League deal with Reading because I didn’t have any other options really. I had a tryout in Providence and had no idea what to expect and kind of just had to go in and work as hard as I could and try to earn a spot. Thankfully, they brought me back later in the year, and I’ve been there ever since."
MacDonald’s come a long way from the days of uncertainly and limited options. When he left his 2010 exit meeting with Providence coaches Rob Murray and Bruce Cassidy and Bruins assistant general manager Don Sweeney, MacDonald was a guy with a shot at an NHL contract. That opportunity didn’t end up coming to fruition over the summer, but as far as MacDonald is concerned, that doesn’t mean it won’t as time goes by.
"Obviously, I would have liked to have signed an NHL deal, but obviously, they have their prospects and those things to look after, and they need to go out and sign guys like [Jeremy Reich] and [Nathan] McIver for depth. I knew where they stood, and I still think that if I go and work hard, then I can earn that contract still, and maybe if things work out, I can get called up.
"At the same time, it helps a lot being in a familiar place. I’ve played for enough teams that I know it’s tough going in and trying to prove yourself to a new coach every year. I think that’s a point for Murr and Butchy — they know what I bring to the table. Just being somewhere familiar, it’s great. If that’s on an American League deal, then so be it. I’m willing to work hard, go into training camp in Boston and try to prove myself. I’m gonna keep working for that until they tell me I can’t do it anymore."
