The ruckman played just one game this year due to an achilles injury, but McDonald says he's a big part of the club's plans for the future.
"We can't wait to get him back in the side. He's been out all year with injury and he's raring to go next year. He's very much a required player," McDonald told Kevin Bartlett on SEN radio on Tuesday.
"Hamish is extremely passionate about getting out on the park and playing terrific football for North. He and Todd (Goldstein) both feel that they can work really well together.
"We think we've got enormous depth with our ruckmen in Hamish, Todd and even Majak Daw has shown terrific promise."
Gavin Urquhart, Ben Warren, Lachlan Hansen and Matt Campbell have also been touted as possible trade bait in media circles, but McDonald says its important not to read too much into rumours and conjecture.
"I think there's been a hell of a lot of speculation and if you look at some of the media reports today it's way off the money in terms of some of the players we've supposedly spoken to.
"As far as we are concerned all of our blokes are contracted and we are looking forward to the draft."
Last year the Kangaroos nabbed Shaun Atley and Kieran Harper with its first two picks and currently holds selections 18 and 40 ahead of the NAB AFL Draft on November 24.
"Our philosophy over the last six years has just been about bringing the young boys in through the National Draft. That's our focus and we've worked really hard to try and build a list from within."
