Andy MacDonald's tenure, for me at least, will always be tainted by the management's handling of Doug Weight. I know it is a little unfair to Andy, but it is what it is.
Having said that, I recognize the current Blues team has benefitted from the trade, more so, I think than the difference in playing ability between the two forwards. What Andy has done, what Doug never did, is solidify the top line. The Blues are now able to roll out a fast, talented top line (albeit a bit undersized) that can run with any top line in the league. The ancillary effect has been to shuttle Keith Tkachuk, permanently, onto the second line. Combined with Lee Stempniak and David Perron, they form Perwaltniak, they best second line the Blues have fielded since the Slovak line in the late ninties, a legitimate scoring threat every shift, and a menace to Decepticons everywhere.
If this line keeps producing, I think this lifts the Blues from playoff hopeful to contender. It will also give them added leverage in pursuit of a trade for a scorer, if they need it anymore. It has, however, only been a couple of games. Lee could backslide again (I don't see that happening), Andy Murray could decide to reduce Perron's playing time to the point where he is not a consistent line mate, or he could decide to place McClement or Backes on that line to try and get them some offense.
I'm going to enjoy this dynamic offense while I can. It may not last long, and in the salary cap era, who knows if it will ever be better than this.
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My apologies to the gentleman who coined the term on the Bluestalk forums. I could not find the thread in which it was first written.
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