The biggest player to worry about in terms of injury and how he recovers is Meszaros, in my opinion. He is a big key to this team.
- MJL

I agree if he can't play well the d will be very thin. They need him to be able to play at his best.

I'm very interested to see how Luke plays.

Easier said than done though. The commitment to team defense must improve significantly. The defense core doesn't have a true top pairing guy, and the majority of forwards aren't exactly defensive stalwarts.
- PLindbergh31

the d is an issue now and will remain so until some solid talent is brought in.

Wait for the nucks to buy out lou, then buy out bryz and sign lou
- nails

Luongo is older than Bryzgalov.

I think Briere will be a big gun for the team this season. Although the time is right for Schenn to evolve further.

I do think expectations may be a little high for a guy like Grossman after how well he played last season.
- flyer_nutter

I agree about Grossmann. Not that he's not a good player, he is. But I think that a lot of fans elevated him as a player into something he isn't.

Bryzgalov will not be bought out. You raise an interesting point in options available via FA this summer, but who's to say they won't be re-signed?

We are going to ride the Bryz train this year. Watch. Lavy doesn't have a good backup for him. It isn't Bob/Bryz tandem anymore. It is starter/backup, and Bryz is the starter. Lavy is gonna roll him out and watch him clean up.

We all know he's a goalie that needs to play to get and stay in the groove.

Not a transition year this year. He's played behind his defense. More chemistry, etc.

And if we buy him out, our starter would be Micheal Frickin Leighton.

Let's go (frank)ing Flyers.


- Giroux_Is_God

For this season, there's zero reason or need to buy out anyone, assuming the LTIR rules remain the same as with the last CBA.

The cap for the 2013 season will be $70.2mm. The Flyers will have cap room to keep Bryzgalov and add pieces. The kicker is the 2013-14 season.

I'm open to a buy out of Bryzgalov, depending on the rules and the cap. It's been rumored that any deal over 7 years will count against the cap, even if the player retires before it ends. If that's the case, I'd definitely look long & hard at buying out Bryz...and I like the crazy bastard.

the d is an issue now and will remain so until some solid talent is brought in.
- isaiah520

I think are some areas of play, where the defense might have some holes. But if Meszaros can bounce back, overall the defense is still solid.

If they buy out Bryz, why won't they be able to sign a Free Agent?
- MJL

Uh....name a good free agent goalie right now?

the d is an issue now and will remain so until some solid talent is brought in.
- isaiah520

With Kimmo being held together by spit and glue, and the uncertainty surrounding Meszaros, throw in Schenn trying to get adapted I'm very concerned about this defense core.

Luongo is older than Bryzgalov.
- PLindbergh31

And a whole tier of talent above bryz.
Not saying sugn him for 6 years.
2 or 3 maybe.

Who would they get? They can't sign a FA and trading for a goalie would cost an arm and a leg....
- Giroux_Is_God

As Bill mentioned the team could target Backstrom from Minny. I have always been high on him, and with a reduced salary he would be a guy I would look to for short term.

Other possible goaltenders could be Anderson, Luongo, Howard or Bernier. Its unlikely but even a guy like Hiller could become available.

Personally my choice would be to pry Eddie Lack out of Vancouver and sign Backstrom short term.

Halak is more of a personal dream.

And a whole tier of talent above bryz.
Not saying sugn him for 6 years.
2 or 3 maybe.
- nails

I agree with you Luongo is the better goaltender no question, but I'm not giving up on Bryzgalov after one season. See how he does this year, and go from there.

In Bryz we trust. Show the team why they threw the bank at you.

Uh....name a good free agent goalie right now?
- Giroux_Is_God

There's no need to buy him out right now, and nobody is suggesting he be bought out now, unless they're a moron.

I think are some areas of play, where the defense might have some holes. But if Meszaros can bounce back, overall the defense is still solid.
- MJL

this team needed another puck mover before carle left, so i think that aspect will be a challenge.

Uh....name a good free agent goalie right now?
- Giroux_Is_God

If they were going to buy out Bryz, after this Season, then it wouldn't matter who is available right now.

In Bryz we trust. Show the team we they threw the bank at you.
- LJF

I agree with you Luongo is the better goaltender no question, but I'm not giving up on Bryzgalov after one season. See how he does this year, and go from there.
- PLindbergh31

I dont expect the nuks to buy out lou right now anyway. Afrer this season yes.
Even if bryz plays great, the conteact is way to long and that may be the ultimate deciding factor

If they were going to buy out Bryz, after this Season, then it wouldn't matter who is available right now.
- MJL

Ah. Yes I agree.

I thought you were talking about right now....

I was concerned

this team needed another puck mover before carle left, so i think that aspect will be a challenge.
- isaiah520

So do I. But I'm hoping that Meszaros can bounce back, and I think Coburn has more to offer. Puck movement, scoring from the defense, and PP point play, I think are going to be some areas of weakness.

this team needed another puck mover before carle left, so i think that aspect will be a challenge.
- isaiah520

The D definately needs to be addressed next season.

I personally dont think both of Cooties or Brayden Schenn will be around after the summer. The Flyers need to bring in top talent on the back end and something will have to give.

If the Flyers want immediate help I would look at Giordano or Streit.

There's no need to buy him out right now, and nobody is suggesting he be bought out now, unless they're a moron.
- Jsaquella

we could give him up until after '13-14

So do I. But I'm hoping that Meszaros can bounce back, and I think Coburn has more to offer. Puck movement, scoring from the defense, and PP point play, I think are going to be some areas of weakness.
- MJL

This defense corps is not exactly appealing by any sense of the word.....

I will say this, however- Coburn is gonna be nasty this year

So do I. But I'm hoping that Meszaros can bounce back, and I think Coburn has more to offer. Puck movement, scoring from the defense, and PP point play, I think are going to be some areas of weakness.
- MJL

well, pk is still unsigned

The D definately needs to be addressed next season.

I personally dont think both of Cooties or Brayden Schenn will be around after the summer. The Flyers need to bring in top talent on the back end and something will have to give.
- flyer_nutter

Personally, I'd trade anyone on the team except G before I trade those 2....

I dont expect the nuks to buy out lou right now anyway. Afrer this season yes.
Even if bryz plays great, the conteact is way to long and that may be the ultimate deciding factor
- nails

I said as soon as I saw Bryzgalov's contract, anything short of them winning the Cup with him between the pipes, and the contract is an albatross.