I think Gus will be a legit 5th or 6th defenseman. I think he has looked good so far this year and he should only get better. He's a much better option than Gervais and Foster.
- NickTheKid87

Sometimes I wonder if he has a bit of Joni Pickyournose in him... with the short stick and all.. He seems to whiff on a lot of easy passes and open shots. Not a case of the puck rolling on him either.

Having a hard time decide which is contract is worse, Bryz, Briere, or Kimmo...Not enough buyouts unfortunately
- flyerfan28

Didn't you just sign Timonen to a contract extension and you are thinking buyout? Briere is an easy buyout IMO. Mezaros at 4 million is steep too.

I don't think so buddy he is 23rd in GAA for goalies that have played more than 11 games and his save percentage is even lower among the same goalies, so how can u say he has been the best player for them. I agree the defense has been bad and that is why I said he needs to steal games for us so we can contend and he is not doing this. I am not being ignorant saying he is a professional athlete, Pekka Rinne and Jimmy Howard have played almost the same amount of minutes with defenses that have lost a key piece this year and they show no signs of being tired(in fact Howard had a shutout last night). Bryz needs to play because if he doesnt he is indifferent, distant and does not help the team whatsoever in the dressing room.
- Daceroni

Because it only takes a few horrible games for numbers to get thrown off.
Over the first part of the season he was the only reason they had a chance in any game. Over the past 7-10 days he has not looked like the same goalie he did at the start.
He is the least of their problems right now.

Bryz has been shaky but, like most of us have been saying, we don't believe it to be because he sucks or is not as talented as previous believed, but because he doesn't trust the team in front of him.
- NickTheKid87

A goalie should only have to make (at most) a few momentum saves a game.. IF.. the team in front of him is good. You could take a Henrik/Roy/Parent hybrid and put him in net and his numbers would take a hit.

This team is constantly seeing neutral zone break downs which lead to partial breakaways and odd man rushes. Putting that on a goalie just isnt fair.

I look at the Rick Nash goal the other night where Bryz really didnt even react. You have one of the more prolific snipers in the game Flying in on an odd man rush. As a goalie how do you play that if you have confidence in your team? You square up to the shooter and forget about the guy on the other side. Obviously that didnt happen... at all.

Didn't you just sign Timonen to a contract extension and you are thinking buyout? Briere is an easy buyout IMO. Mezaros at 4 million is steep too.
- Oneonta Penguin

Meszy at 4 mill is a steal. Hands down our 2nd best d-man when healthy. Guy is a 20 minute a night, 2 way 30 point d-man.

Meszy at 4 mill is a steal. Hands down our 2nd best d-man when healthy. Guy is a 20 minute a night, 2 way 30 point d-man.
- jak521

His injury woes are unfortunate, in that they're unrelated to one another. It just sucks that he works hard to get back from a foot injury, only to be sidelined by a fluke shoulder injury.

Sometimes I wonder if he has a bit of Joni Pickyournose in him... with the short stick and all.. He seems to whiff on a lot of easy passes and open shots. Not a case of the puck rolling on him either.
- jak521

Yeah sometimes he hesitates too but I think that will change. I don't expect him to be a top pairing guy, like Pitkanen had the potential to be, but a player like Pitkanen on the 3rd pair is nothing to sneeze at.

I agree the defense has been bad and that is why I said he needs to steal games for us so we can contend and he is not doing this.
- Daceroni

Goalies can't steal every game, especially when the team has so many defensive lapses, and turn over the puck so much in the neutral zone.

thanks. the elements are a combination of usa/israel/athletic/biblical meaning. really tried to capture the spirit of the thing.

the lion is the symbol of judah maccabi, and i'm also a leo (have loved lions since i was a kid). the 11 stars of david represent the israeli athletes killed at the summer games in munich in 72 (hence the 72 on the chin in center star) and is also my birth year. usa and eagle and colors are self explanatory. wife and kids on the backplate. 022280 is the miracle on ice.
- hammarby31

very cool

A goalie should only have to make (at most) a few momentum saves a game.. IF.. the team in front of him is good. You could take a Henrik/Roy/Parent hybrid and put him in net and his numbers would take a hit.

This team is constantly seeing neutral zone break downs which lead to partial breakaways and odd man rushes. Putting that on a goalie just isnt fair.

I look at the Rick Nash goal the other night where Bryz really didnt even react. You have one of the more prolific snipers in the game Flying in on an odd man rush. As a goalie how do you play that if you have confidence in your team? You square up to the shooter and forget about the guy on the other side. Obviously that didnt happen... at all.
- jak521

The problem is, IMO, that Bryz is trying to do too much now. The breakdowns haven't gone away and I think that's effected him more and more over time. He may now feel like he has to carry the team on his shoulders night in and night out. That's a huge burden to bear.

I never expected Bryz to put up a .920 SV% in this system but a .915 SV% was never out of the question if he were playing with confidence and the team was more responsible in front of him.

Just checking in to feed off the good vibes! Has Murray been installed as head coach yet?

at some point, the #'s don't lie. to say that his performance on balance, is more than avg at this point is blind loyalty. sv % is .899 and that's not good enuf in any league.
- isaiah520

A Goalie does not play in a vaccum all by himself. And Save percentage is in part reliant on the team defense played in front of a Goalie. As well as the Goalies individual play. Looking at his overall play, for the majority of the Season his play has been well above average.

A Goalie does not play in a vaccum all by himself. And Save percentage is in part reliant on the team defense played in front of a Goalie. As well as the Goalies individual play. Looking at his overall play, for the majority of the Season his play has been well above average.
- MJL

my point, similar to Bill's, is that bryz has been avg...

We already knew that Ilya Bryzgalov has been largely unable for the last month to make momentum saves against good teams. His season save percentage has now slipped below 90 percent, and that's flat out nowhere near good enough (especially after his strong start in January). Last night, he was shielded in the first period, but was there EVER any confidence that he'd come up with anything but the most routine of saves against that power-packed Pittsburgh lineup? By the same token, did anyone think the change over to Brian Boucher was going to alter the momentum?

My problem with Laviolette is his seeming inability to adjust the gameplan according to game situations.

Up by 3? Go Go Go!
Down By 3? Go Go Go!
Protect a lead? Go Go Go!

Its always the same no matter the situation.

I think by now teams have learned that if you play an undisciplined run and gun style the Flyers can and probably will kill you. But if you play a disciplined, structured game against them you will shut them down and they will have no answers.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Nothing Learned
- bmeltzer

Been busy at work today so I haven't read the previous pages.

But Bill, AMEN....

Time to hold this team accountable. I have yet to read a better review of their faults. Thank you.

I am a Flyers fan. Watching them lose won't change that. But last night was disgusting.

Seems to be a trend that people on here want to make excuses for Bryz. He just is not playing up to the role flyers brought him in to be especially at his price tag. Good goalies are supposed to make saves when you need him, his play has been average this season minus a few games. You're prettty much getting the same play out of Bryz that you are with Scrivens and Reimer in Toronto and thats the problem. You can blame the defense all you want but above average goaltenders can bail you out. Who on here is comfortable with Bryz on a breakaway or shootout? It is what is boys, Flyers overpaid for Bryz and he isnt what we thought it would be.

My problem with Laviolette is his seeming inability to adjust the gameplan according to game situations.

Up by 3? Go Go Go!
Down By 3? Go Go Go!
Protect a lead? Go Go Go!

Its always the same no matter the situation.

I think by now teams have learned that if you play an undisciplined run and gun style the Flyers can and probably will kill you. But if you play a disciplined, structured game against them you will shut them down and they will have no answers.
- MBFlyerfan

Seemed like last night it was up by 3, foot off the pedal while the other team adjusts and takes over the game, followed by a failure to adjust to Bylsma's adjustment.

Seemed like last night it was up by 3, foot off the pedal while the other team adjusts and takes over the game, followed by a failure to adjust to Bylsma's adjustment.
- NickTheKid87

And that is another part of it. They did seem to take the foot off the pedal without having the concurrent adjustment to the gameplan. They were still playing the same way just not as hard.

Lavy's style is hard enough when everyone is going all out, but then to have everyone back off while still trying to play the same style is just suicide.

Its like switching from an iron hammer to a rubber hammer. You still swing just as hard but the nail just doesn't seem to be moving with the softer hammer.

Does hockey in Phoenix make sense?
- Just5

I hope it stays. My dad lives in Phoenix and I always schedule visits when the Flyers play there. I'd never see my father if they move Phoenix!

Seems to be a trend that people on here want to make excuses for Bryz. He just is not playing up to the role flyers brought him in to be especially at his price tag. Good goalies are supposed to make saves when you need him, his play has been average this season minus a few games. You're prettty much getting the same play out of Bryz that you are with Scrivens and Reimer in Toronto and thats the problem. You can blame the defense all you want but above average goaltenders can bail you out. Who on here is comfortable with Bryz on a breakaway or shootout? It is what is boys, Flyers overpaid for Bryz and he isnt what we thought it would be.
- flyerfan28

when the Panthers Goldy and Lindsay make fun of you, you know you are in trouble

Seems to be a trend that people on here want to make excuses for Bryz. He just is not playing up to the role flyers brought him in to be especially at his price tag. Good goalies are supposed to make saves when you need him, his play has been average this season minus a few games. You're prettty much getting the same play out of Bryz that you are with Scrivens and Reimer in Toronto and thats the problem. You can blame the defense all you want but above average goaltenders can bail you out. Who on here is comfortable with Bryz on a breakaway or shootout? It is what is boys, Flyers overpaid for Bryz and he isnt what we thought it would be.
- flyerfan28

First, I'd actually take Reimer and Scrivens' play right now, the Leafs are top 5 in the league in team GAA...

Second, I just think Bryz has been put through the grinders in a few ways. Too much playing time, too much travel, too many breakdowns. Yes, I know these are "excuses" but I really think they're factoring in. As well, the Flyers team play has just been brutal at times.

I agree Bryz hasn't been sharp for a month now, but we've seen the flashes and stretches where he is hot, and you know he can play at that level. I just think the team really needs to look in the mirror and start playing complete games.

Did anyone know that this is the first time since 93 that the flyers gave up a 3goal lead in reg.
- griouxmvp2012

Say it ain't so!?! Ugh....

Seems to be a trend that people on here want to make excuses for Bryz. He just is not playing up to the role flyers brought him in to be especially at his price tag. Good goalies are supposed to make saves when you need him, his play has been average this season minus a few games. You're prettty much getting the same play out of Bryz that you are with Scrivens and Reimer in Toronto and thats the problem. You can blame the defense all you want but above average goaltenders can bail you out. Who on here is comfortable with Bryz on a breakaway or shootout? It is what is boys, Flyers overpaid for Bryz and he isnt what we thought it would be.
- flyerfan28

If you have read the previous posts regarding Bryzgalov, you will see that we have not been making excuses for him, we have merely been trying rationalize why he may be playing so inconsistently.

You're analysis is far to convenient. Bryz currently seems like a goalie playing with little to no confidence in the team in front of him. When that happens, any goalie will struggle. Bryz is playing within a style that is not giving him a chance to be as effective as he can be.

It sort of reminds me of the Eagles with Nnamdi Asomugha and the Sixers with Andre Iguodala.

Nnamdi was signed to a big contract and then forced to play zone defense when he was the best man-to-man cover corner in the league with Oakland. He was placed in a situation that had a better chance for failure than success.

With Iguodala, he was made to be primarily a scorer for the Sixers when he was much better off being a support player given his great defense (which is why he was included on USA's Olympic). Iggy failed more or less because he was thrust into a system/style in which rendered him less effective than he could have been.

The Flyers invested 9 years and $51 million in a goaltender and placed him in a system that focuses more on offense than defense. Couple that with the coaching staff's lack of ability to teach/implement team defense, and you create the perfect situation for failure, both physically and mentally.

If you have read the previous posts regarding Bryzgalov, you will see that we have not been making excuses for him, we have merely been trying rationalize why he may be playing so inconsistently.

You're analysis is far to convenient. Bryz currently seems like a goalie playing with little to no confidence in the team in front of him. When that happens, any goalie will struggle. Bryz is playing within a style that is not giving him a chance to be as effective as he can be.

It sort of reminds me of the Eagles with Nnamdi Asomugha and the Sixers with Andre Iguodala.

Nnamdi was signed to a big contract and then forced to play zone defense when he was the best man-to-man cover corner in the league with Oakland. He was placed in a situation that had a better chance for failure than success.

With Iguodala, he was made to be primarily a scorer for the Sixers when he was much better off being a support player given his great defense (which is why he was included on USA's Olympic). Iggy failed more or less because he was thrust into a system/style in which rendered him less effective than he could have been.

The Flyers invested 9 years and $51 million in a goaltender and placed him in a system that focuses more on offense than defense. Couple that with the coaching staff's lack of ability to teach/implement team defense, and you create the perfect situation for failure, both physically and mentally.
- NickTheKid87

More or less, exactly.

If you have read the previous posts regarding Bryzgalov, you will see that we have not been making excuses for him, we have merely been trying rationalize why he may be playing so inconsistently.

You're analysis is far to convenient. Bryz currently seems like a goalie playing with little to no confidence in the team in front of him. When that happens, any goalie will struggle. Bryz is playing within a style that is not giving him a chance to be as effective as he can be.

It sort of reminds me of the Eagles with Nnamdi Asomugha and the Sixers with Andre Iguodala.

Nnamdi was signed to a big contract and then forced to play zone defense when he was the best man-to-man cover corner in the league with Oakland. He was placed in a situation that had a better chance for failure than success.

With Iguodala, he was made to be primarily a scorer for the Sixers when he was much better off being a support player given his great defense (which is why he was included on USA's Olympic). Iggy failed more or less because he was thrust into a system/style in which rendered him less effective than he could have been.

The Flyers invested 9 years and $51 million in a goaltender and placed him in a system that focuses more on offense than defense. Couple that with the coaching staff's lack of ability to teach/implement team defense, and you create the perfect situation for failure, both physically and mentally.
- NickTheKid87

In that case, he should let him move on.