As someone who wanted Bryzgalov bought out, I do have to admit that he is probably one of the few who is still fighting right now. He has been inconsistent, but taken a big step this season.

The save percentage is unnaceptable, but I suppose I would be willing to give him one more year. I think he has deserved it after the horsepoop play in front of him.

Even still, some nights you have to score more than 2 or 3 goals to win a game. This team has real problems doing that, even if they do get PP opportunities.

It was not a good move to trade for his rights if they were only going to get him at the inflated market value contract. That's my beef with the Bryz contract.
- BulliesPhan87

Fair

I think Bill said it the best, Bryz hasn't been been the problem, but he hasn't been the solution either.

He plays well enough to keep them in the majority of the games, but too often doesn't make the big momentum save.

Not saying towards you, but a lot of posters and media criticize Bryz for his contract. That really isn't his fault. Watching the 2013 Flyers, I can't think of a goalie in the world who would have turned this season around.
- Marc D

His contract is only an issue to me if it traps the team. I have no problem with guys negotiating whatever they can get.
However, if for any reason they can't meet the expectation of the other party, that can be a problem.
In this case, the problem relates to cap space and term. I'm sure Bryz is trying but the results are what the discussion is about. Some think he is underperforming and others think it is not his fault.

I do not think Bryz should be near the top of the issue list for this team I think that should go

1. No true number 1 or number 2 dman
2. Coach + System
3. Age of Core
4. Defense
5. Item 1 forces everyone out of their slotting.
6. Bryz

If you can get a reasonable and viable alternative to Bryz fair enough but I think the drafts and assets they have should be used to fix the other items long before a goalie change.

Fair
- steelydan

My thing would have largely been with his contract. He needs to be a elite consistent goaltender for what he makes, and he has shown he can be. He has shown far too much inconsistency in his time here, but even I will admit this year has been a real good step for Bryzgalov.

The play in front of him has been horsepoop, and honestly who the hell would they use the cap space from buying him out on anyway?

I do not think Bryz should be near the top of the issue list for this team I think that should go

1. No true number 1 or number 2 dman
2. Coach + System
3. Age of Core
4. Defense
5. Item 1 forces everyone out of their slotting.
6. Bryz

If you can get a reasonable and viable alternative to Bryz fair enough but I think the drafts and assets they have should be used to fix the other items long before a goalie change.
- opeth_pa

Great list. I'd go:

1. New organizational direction and a consistent identity.
2. Coach.
3. Improved D core
4. More consistent and hard to play against gritty forwards. Either get this current group to do it, or bring in others.
5. Back-up goaltender

I kind of having a feeling that unless #1 happens though, everything else will be for nothing.

If the flavour of the day is buying out Bryz after this season...

I prefer to keep him for 2013-14. He played great in a much better defensive system in Phoenix, under Dave Tippett. Look at how Mike Smith has done since winning the starting gig there after Bryz left.

Fire Lavy after the season, hire a coach that has a better approach for what we have on our roster, especially our defense. I think Tippett is also a FA this off-season, bring him in? Install his system with offensive talent he only dreamed of in Phoenix, Bryz plays better, win-win?

Homer needs to adjust the roster, clean out the trash and have a solid draft. I am in support of trading assets for a mobile, offensive defenseman. I will leave it to Homer (or if he gets canned, the next GM) to assess what assets are leaving for this to happen.

My thing would have largely been with his contract. He needs to be a elite consistent goaltender for what he makes, and he has shown he can be. He has shown far too much inconsistency in his time here, but even I will admit this year has been a real good step for Bryzgalov.

The play in front of him has been horsepoop, and honestly who the hell would they use the cap space from buying him out on anyway?
- flyer_nutter

That's a good question. There's probably some pretty good answers, too. Even if we look at it as an overpayment (a big stretch, I know), exactly what value would the difference between his cap hit and what one might consider his 'fair value' represent? Would that difference have realistically represented something that could've saved this season? Hardly, their struggles weren't because they couldn't fit the parts they wanted under the cap.

Great list. I'd go:

1. New organizational direction and a consistent identity.
2. Coach.
3. Improved D core
4. More consistent and hard to play against gritty forwards. Either get this current group to do it, or bring in others.
5. Back-up goaltender

I kind of having a feeling that unless #1 happens though, everything else will be for nothing.
- flyer_nutter

I know you've really pushed the need for an identity or direction this franchise needs to commit to, and it's something worth discussing. I don't think they need a finely designed blueprint in that regard to be a competitor. I would agree, though, that they can't pick up and shift directions every season, based on:

1) What the new Stanley Cup winner did
2) Who we've lost confidence in/didn't fully meet expectations on the short term

Yet that seems to be what they do. To me, an identity starts with your core players, and generally the kind of team that will maximize that core's chances of succeeding. It goes on to other things, like the coach and the game he wants to play, but it really hinges on the most important parts, and how best to use them.

It requires tweaking from year to year, as with the roster, but fixing the 'direction of the team' can be as simple as not completely change directions everytime they see short term failure. However, we have a very passionate owner, and that complicates matters sometimes.

EDIT: language fixes

I did? Please, show me!!!
- ggunky

You made this statement on page 11

"So we can't compare his play or his numbers to that of any other goalie because no other golaie, except for the backup, plays on that team?

Then why is it that when it is contract time, this is the exact metric the agent\player\team uses to determine their pay?"

It that wasn't said to infer how he compares to other Goalies as a measure of how well he's doing, and I misread that. The I apologize for that.

still no trades homer? for shame

So I was talking to the fiancee last night about Iginla making the last minute change to the Penguins and here was his response:

"So glad that Iginla can make the requirement of being a @#$@$ before joining the Penguins. Kinda like the darkside you have to screw someone over or do something heinous before you can go there."

His contract is only an issue to me if it traps the team. I have no problem with guys negotiating whatever they can get.
However, if for any reason they can't meet the expectation of the other party, that can be a problem.
In this case, the problem relates to cap space and term. I'm sure Bryz is trying but the results are what the discussion is about. Some think he is underperforming and others think it is not his fault.
- strongsupporter

That all sounds fair.

For me I'd like to see what Bryz can do next year with (hopefully) an improved defense and better team defense in front of him.

This falls on Homer. He must bring in a top pair defenseman this summer, and baring that he needs to do a better job with the the #5-6 pair and depth guys.

Also I expect them to change coaches with a more responsible 5 player team defense.

If Homer fails these to accomplish these things, then Bryz will be doomed anyway.
If Homer gets something done this summer and Bryz is still inconsistent, then by all means explore the buyout and look for a goalie change.

still no trades homer? for shame
- 2Real

no trades, no coach firing...maybe the jury is out on Homer?

no trades, no coach firing...maybe the jury is out on Homer?
- vejim

please tell me what trades should have been made that either makes them a playoff team or guarantees them one of the top 3 picks.

I am glad they are not , for once, making a totally reactionary move .

still no trades homer? for shame
- 2Real

EGG ON HIS FAEC FAILURE LOLZ WAT A LOSER ORANGE GLASSES KOOLAID

So I was talking to the fiancee last night about Iginla making the last minute change to the Penguins and here was his response:

"So glad that Iginla can make the requirement of being a @#$@$ before joining the Penguins. Kinda like the darkside you have to screw someone over or do something heinous before you can go there."


- FlyersGrace

I think there is a distinction that needs to be made. And I don't know the factual answer. Did Iginla agree to accept a trade to Boston, only to change his mind later? Or did Calgary agree to the framework of a deal with Boston, only to have Calgary then get Iginla's approval. In which Iginla chose to go to the Pens. Forcing Calgary to accept the Pens deal.

That all sounds fair.

For me I'd like to see what Bryz can do next year with (hopefully) an improved defense and better team defense in front of him.

This falls on Homer. He must bring in a top pair defenseman this summer, and baring that he needs to do a better job with the the #5-6 pair and depth guys.

Also I expect them to change coaches with a more responsible 5 player team defense.

If Homer fails these to accomplish these things, then Bryz will be doomed anyway.
If Homer gets something done this summer and Bryz is still inconsistent, then by all means explore the buyout and look for a goalie change.
- Marc D

Well said Mark!

no trades, no coach firing...maybe the jury is out on Homer?
- vejim

No trades unless someone blows our doors off/over pays for someone....otherwise stay the course.

I think there is a distinction that needs to be made. And I don't know the factual answer. Did Iginla agree to accept a trade to Boston, only to change his mind later? Or did Calgary agree to the framework of a deal with Boston, only to have Calgary then get Iginla's approval. In which Iginla chose to go to the Pens. Forcing Calgary to accept the Pens deal.
- MJL

My understanding was that he gave a list of 4 teams to be traded to. The GM made a deal with one of those 4 and Iginla said no. So basically he really should have handed in a list for 1 team... Either way though not a very nice experience for Boston or the Flames GM.

My comment was supposed to be funny and light hearted though MJL! So take it with a grain of salt from a Flyers household who (of course) can't stand the Penguins. We have 2 teams we root for - the Flyers and anyone playing the Penguins.

I know nothing about Diaz. So I reserve judgement on this tradde. But you have to spell Grossmann's name right if you truly covet him. I adore watching him play so I hope they rest him for this season and do not send him anywhere...
- FlyersGrace

Seconded - especially since I just received his jersey as a gift this season (and got it signed recently).

Not really.
There is a consensus. MJL is agreeing with himself that Bryz is good.
- strongsupporter

Its posts like this that drag down the whole room. This from the guy who is most concerned about shootouts.

My understanding was that he gave a list of 4 teams to be traded to. The GM made a deal with one of those 4 and Iginla said no. So basically he really should have handed in a list for 1 team... Either way though not a very nice experience for Boston or the Flames GM.

My comment was supposed to be funny and light hearted though MJL! So take it with a grain of salt from a Flyers household who (of course) can't stand the Penguins. We have 2 teams we root for - the Flyers and anyone playing the Penguins.
- FlyersGrace

I completley understand the vigor against the Pens. My only thought is that If Iginla agreed to go to Boston, then changed his mind. Well then he's a Dbag. But if he was given a choice of where to go and he chose the Pens. Then perfectly within his rights.

I think there is a distinction that needs to be made. And I don't know the factual answer. Did Iginla agree to accept a trade to Boston, only to change his mind later? Or did Calgary agree to the framework of a deal with Boston, only to have Calgary then get Iginla's approval. In which Iginla chose to go to the Pens. Forcing Calgary to accept the Pens deal.
- MJL

Apparently it was Iginla, which in my book makes him the worst kind of fair-weather front-runner fan. And that makes me hope the Penguins implode, get exposed, self-destruct, etc.

Shortly before midnight Wednesday, following the Bruins’ 6-5 shootout loss to Montreal, Feaster called to deliver the news that Chiarelli had feared: Iginla, who had included Boston as one of at least three teams he wanted to play for, had shortened his list to one club. Iginla wanted to go to Pittsburgh. The Bruins were out.

http://www.boston.com/spo...l4M2mcrfIdp7AK/story.html

I completley understand the vigor against the Pens. My only thought is that If Iginla agreed to go to Boston, then changed his mind. Well then he's a Dbag. But if he was given a choice of where to go and he chose the Pens. Then perfectly within his rights.
- MJL

I could look it up myself, I suppose, but is there anything concrete about what happened with that faux pas? I assumed the media just jumped the gun, but it sounds like there could be a bit more to it?

EDIT: Leight, maybe?