The one thing for me here...

Bryzgalov was signed, and I am sure like many, I thought the situation was dealt with. He was an experienced goaltender, who showed an ability to simply carry a team.

The fact that there is even talk of buying out Bryzgalov, who was supposed to be the solution, is just such a joke.

Media distractions, inconsistent play, whatever else... This whole experiment has not gone anywhere close to planned.
- flyer_nutter

In all fairness to Bryzgalov though.. where would he be in our estimation if the Flyers defensive corps werent in such a shambles and if the coach had adjusted the team's play style to be more defensively responsible?

This past year, nothing went according to plan, the worst that could happen pretty much did happen, and yet the team isnt a total trainwreck that is devoid of talent and hope.

I went back and looked at the rosters of the Flyers teams that missed the playoffs for five years in a row, I feel much better about things right now.

His playing is also a gamble not just his "distractions." I am less willing to give him a shot. Better be on a league minimum/ 1 yr and even then! Mason/ Thomas?! That is the thing dead GMs are made of.

The only way I could be OK with him coming is if it meant cap space opened up for a huge hole being filled. Not just to keep Briere.
- coffee junkie

There's no way that you could go more than 1 year on Thomas. There's also got to be enough savings that you can have options at the deadline if neither he nor Mason can handle the job.

I'd be open to Thomas, not eager and champing at the bit to bring him in.

Yea it sucks that as of right now, there are still question marks about the Flyers goaltending. But if it turns out that Bryzgalov doesn't work out here. Who's fault is it?
- MJL

Yours (duh).

In all fairness to Bryzgalov though.. where would he be in our estimation if the Flyers defensive corps werent in such a shambles and if the coach had adjusted the team's play style to be more defensively responsible?

This past year, nothing went according to plan, the worst that could happen pretty much did happen, and yet the team isnt a total trainwreck that is devoid of talent and hope.

I went back and looked at the rosters of the Flyers teams that missed the playoffs for five years in a row, I feel much better about things right now.
- Doc_Sarcasm

The one thing with the whole idea that the Flyers are so bad defensively and thats the cause for Bryzgalov's inconsistency. I agree with it somewhat.

However a team like Columbus, Washington, Winnipeg and especially Dallas have also had really long team wide stretches of bad play.

What I am getting at here, is Bryzgalov is paid to be elite and not mediocre. He let up too many weak goals, and not enough consistent big saves. I know the Flyers gave up a lot of breakaways, and odd man rushes but other teams do as well. What were we all thinking when we saw the other team rushing up the ice with nobody to beat but Bryzgalov. Was there any faith? Not for me personally. Thats a big issue.

The one thing with the whole idea that the Flyers are so bad defensively and thats the cause for Bryzgalov's inconsistency. I agree with it somewhat.

However a team like Columbus, Washington, Winnipeg and especially Dallas have also had really long team wide stretches of bad play.

What I am getting at here, is Bryzgalov is paid to be elite and not mediocre. He let up too many weak goals, and not enough consistent big saves. I know the Flyers gave up a lot of breakaways, and odd man rushes but other teams do as well. What were we all thinking when we saw the other team rushing up the ice with nobody to beat but Bryzgalov. Was there any faith? Not for me personally. Thats a big issue.
- flyer_nutter

Yeah that last part is my big issue too

Yeah that last part is my big issue too
- GirouxForTheShow

The faith to have him consistently make the big save is my issue basically too yes. Or to be better than average consistently.

Thats where he contract bites his ass, because the term and number basically say that is the kind of goaltender he has to be (elite).

I'll put it this way. I dont know if anyone watched the playoffs a few years back and it was Colorado against San Jose.

The avs had Anderson who basically kept that series even going every game. The gave up chances that were even worse than what the Flyers do. There are elite goaltenders in this league that have the ability to do that. If you pay one that kind of money, he needs to be one of those guys, and be that consistently imo.

Diabetes and dramatic hair loss?

I'm a little over weight too.
- mayorofangrytown

Gillis in Van: "5 years ago we reset. Its time to do it again"

I've always been kind of a fan of Eddie Lack. He hasnt really been given an opportunity in Vancouver.

Their other prospects I dont really like, as well as any forwards.

I doubt they would part with their #1 guy in Edler who has a very reasonable contract. Bieksa has the injury questions, but can move the puck. Hamhuis and Garrisson are nice but it seems they really wanted to be in Vancouver.

Will be interesting to see what they do.

I pray Holmgren stays away from Kassian, and Ballard.

- Flyskippy

Gillis in Van: "5 years ago we reset. Its time to do it again"

I've always been kind of a fan of Eddie Lack. He hasnt really been given an opportunity in Vancouver.

Their other prospects I dont really like, as well as any forwards.

I doubt they would part with their #1 guy in Edler who has a very reasonable contract. Bieksa has the injury questions, but can move the puck. Hamhuis and Garrisson are nice but it seems they really wanted to be in Vancouver.

Will be interesting to see what they do.

I pray Holmgren stays away from Kassian, and Ballard.
- flyer_nutter

what's wrong with kassian?

The faith to have him consistently make the big save is my issue basically too yes. Or to be better than average consistently.

Thats where he contract bites his ass, because the term and number basically say that is the kind of goaltender he has to be (elite).

I'll put it this way. I dont know if anyone watched the playoffs a few years back and it was Colorado against San Jose.

The avs had Anderson who basically kept that series even going every game. The gave up chances that were even worse than what the Flyers do. There are elite goaltenders in this league that have the ability to do that. If you pay one that kind of money, he needs to be one of those guys, and be that consistently imo.
- flyer_nutter

I can't remember the last time I saw a team that gave up as many ten bell chances as the Flyers did this past Season. I think Bryzgalov's ability to make big saves, is why the situation wasn't worse then it was. The more of those chances you give up, the lower the odds of the Goalie making the saves. Sure there's a good number that you'd like him to make. But just maybe there's a lot of them that went in, because there's so dam many of them?
And each situation is different. I think comparing one situation on one team, to another is foolish. There are so many variables. Some players can thrive in certain situations, some can't. If you asked me if Bryzgalov is the guy to get to bail the team out and stand on his head, game in and game out. I'd have told you, don't waste your money. If you want a guy who can play very well behind solid defense. Then Bryzgalov was a good choice. I'm waiting to see that environment before I make a final judgement on Bryzgalov.

Yours (duh).
- BringBack25

what's wrong with kassian?
- 2Real

Inconsistency in work ethic.

No more of that poop on this team.

There are elite goaltenders in this league that have the ability to do that. If you pay one that kind of money, he needs to be one of those guys, and be that consistently imo.
- flyer_nutter

There is so much variability year to year when it comes to goalie performance/numbers that paying elite money is almost always going to backfire. Guys like Thomas, Miller, Rinne, Quick, Price, Fleury and Ward are all paid elite money but have all turned in sub-par seasons in recent memory. Guys like Luongo, Brodeur and Kipper have a long track record of success, but they've tailed off considerably as they get older.

You could argue that when it comes to goalies, the only guy who is money in the bank is Lundqvist.

I can't remember the last time I saw a team that gave up as many ten bell chances as the Flyers did this past Season. I think Bryzgalov's ability to make big saves, is why the situation wasn't worse then it was. The more of those chances you give up, the lower the odds of the Goalie making the saves. Sure there's a good number that you'd like him to make. But just maybe there's a lot of them that went in, because there's so dam many of them?
And each situation is different. I think comparing one situation on one team, to another is foolish. There are so many variables. Some players can thrive in certain situations, some can't. If you asked me if Bryzgalov is the guy to get to bail the team out and stand on his head, game in and game out. I'd have told you, don't waste your money. If you want a guy who can play very well behind solid defense. Then Bryzgalov was a good choice. I'm waiting to see that environment before I make a final judgement on Bryzgalov.
- MJL

It was staggering. I mean, there was a drinking game made up about that. It was suggested that the Flyers' D might as well be using bullfighter capes, it was so bad.

The fish stinketh from the head (coach)...

There is so much variability year to year when it comes to goalie performance/numbers that paying elite money is almost always going to backfire. Guys like Thomas, Miller, Rinne, Quick, Price, Fleury and Ward are all paid elite money but have all turned in sub-par seasons in recent memory. Guys like Luongo, Brodeur and Kipper have a long track record of success, but they've tailed off considerably as they get older.

You could argue that when it comes to goalies, the only guy who is money in the bank is Lundqvist.
- Tomahawk

I'd agree. However Bryzgalov has been here for two years now. I'd be pretty open to giving him a 3rd, but he is running out of chances imo.

There is so much variability year to year when it comes to goalie performance/numbers that paying elite money is almost always going to backfire. Guys like Thomas, Miller, Rinne, Quick, Price, Fleury and Ward are all paid elite money but have all turned in sub-par seasons in recent memory. Guys like Luongo, Brodeur and Kipper have a long track record of success, but they've tailed off considerably as they get older.

You could argue that when it comes to goalies, the only guy who is money in the bank is Captain Shoulder Pads.
- Tomahawk

FTFY

More seriously, I echoed Detroit GM Ken Holland's philosophy that it's better to pay for good defense and a middling goalie than to overpay for the goalie and get a middling defense. I wish that Mr. Snider never decreed what he said in 2011.

what's wrong with kassian?
- 2Real

He's always just gotten by because he was bigger and meaner than his peers. Unfortunately for him, that doesn't automatically translate into room to operate at the NHL level, and his head and hands haven't been good enough to compensate.

There is so much variability year to year when it comes to goalie performance/numbers that paying elite money is almost always going to backfire. Guys like Thomas, Miller, Rinne, Quick, Price, Fleury and Ward are all paid elite money but have all turned in sub-par seasons in recent memory. Guys like Luongo, Brodeur and Kipper have a long track record of success, but they've tailed off considerably as they get older.

You could argue that when it comes to goalies, the only guy who is money in the bank is Lundqvist.
- Tomahawk

Absolutely. But the market is the market. The Flyers went out and signed the best Goalie available. You could argue they could have made a better deal. But if you don't sign him to the 9 years, the Cap hit goes way up.

And everybody is sitting in hindsight judging the move. And yes, it is true, there were some that wanted to go with Bobrovksy. And maybe it will turn out they were right. But really, it was just guessing. Who thought that when the Flyers traded him, they knew that they traded a future Vezina finalist? As far as I was concerned, the Flyers added a player who was a proven goaltender, and was a past Vezina finalist. In hindsight, I still have no problem with the move. I'm not going to sit and judge after the fact, and say how they screwed up. As far as I'm concerned, if Bryzgalov doesn't work out here, there is only one person who screwed up.

I'd agree. However Bryzgalov has been here for two years now. I'd be pretty open to giving him a 3rd, but he is running out of chances imo.
- flyer_nutter

He is running out of chances for sure.

Absolutely. But the market is the market. The Flyers went out and signed the best Goalie available. You could argue they could have made a better deal. But if you don't sign him to the 9 years, the Cap hit goes way up.

And everybody is sitting in hindsight judging the move. And yes, it is true, there were some that wanted to go with Bobrovksy. And maybe it will turn out they were right. But really, it was just guessing. Who thought that when the Flyers traded him, they knew that they traded a future Vezina finalist? As far as I was concerned, the Flyers added a player who was a proven goaltender, and was a past Vezina finalist. In hindsight, I still have no problem with the move. I'm not going to sit and judge after the fact, and say how they screwed up. As far as I'm concerned, if Bryzgalov doesn't work out here, there is only one person who screwed up.
- MJL

Reese? Snider?

FTFY

More seriously, I echoed Detroit GM Ken Holland's philosophy that it's better to pay for good defense and a middling goalie than to overpay for the goalie and get a middling defense. I wish that Mr. Snider never decreed what he said in 2011.
- Flyskippy

I'd be in that mindset too.

However I could see why Snider said that because the Flyers basically became a joke with their goaltending. Which as well, I think they still somewhat are. Sad to say but yeah...

There are goaltenders in the league who imo are as good as Bryz and paid in that smaller bracket. Hiller, Rask, Lehtonen, Halak, and Anderson. Hell you might even be able to throw Niemi, Holtby and Pavalec and Reimer into that bracket.

Out of the really top paid guys in the league. Quick, Price, Rinne, Miller, Lundqvist and hell even Kipper.

Woudl you rank Bryzgalov below all of those players? I would. To me anyway, thats kind of telling.

FTFY

More seriously, I echoed Detroit GM Ken Holland's philosophy that it's better to pay for good defense and a middling goalie than to overpay for the goalie and get a middling defense. I wish that Mr. Snider never decreed what he said in 2011.
- Flyskippy

For goalies, you either get really lucky and poach a guy like Lehtonon/Niemi/Rask, or you have to be willing to endure the long, languid pace of development to try to grow one at home. A lot easier said than done, I'm afraid.

I'd be in that mindset too.

However I could see why Snider said that because the Flyers basically became a joke with their goaltending. Which as well, I think they still somewhat are. Sad to say but yeah...

There are goaltenders in the league who imo are as good as Bryz and paid in that smaller bracket. Hiller, Rask, Lehtonen, Halak, and Anderson. Hell you might even be able to throw Niemi, Holtby and Pavalec and Reimer into that bracket.

Out of the really top paid guys in the league. Quick, Price, Miller, Lundqvist and hell even Kipper.

Woudl you rank Bryzgalov below all of those players? I would. To me anyway, thats kind of telling.
- flyer_nutter

I wouldn't rate any goalie better than Bryz because none of them were subject to the clown show Bryz was in front of him. That said, it would have been nice if he kept up his play after the first couple of weeks.

For goalies, you either get really lucky and poach a guy like Lehtonon/Niemi/Rask, or you have to be willing to endure the long, languid pace of development to try to grow one at home. A lot easier said than done, I'm afraid.
- Tomahawk

How many goalies have the Flyers drafted since 2006? 11?