In the National Hockey League (NHL), he played for the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers, serving as an alternate captain for both franchises.

[7] As a free agent, MacDonald went unsigned over the following summer before agreeing to an invitation from the Calgary Flames to attend the 2019 training camp on a professional tryout (PTO) contract.

[9] With the 2019–20 season underway, MacDonald opted to seek a contract abroad for the first time since his stint in the Czech Republic during the 2012–13 NHL lockout.

On October 21, 2019, MacDonald agreed to a one-year contract for the remainder of the season with SC Bern of Switzerland's National League.

On March 3, 2020, MacDonald left the club at his own request and against the express will of SC Bern prior to their relegation series playoffs.