Flyers Waive Defenseman Andrew MacDonald

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Flyers plan to waive defenseman Andrew MacDonald Monday at noon, general manager Ron Hextall annnounced.

MacDonald, 29, is the team's final cut before their season opener on Thursday night in Tampa Bay.

MacDonald has five years left on his massive six-year, $30 million deal, including the 2015-16 season. The Flyers will save just $950,000 on their cap by releasing MacDonald.

"It was a tough decision," Hextall said via CSN Philly.com. "He's an NHL player, but we're in a tough jam here with a roster spot and cap issue but we also have to put our best team on the ice Thursday night."