Briere and Bryz are both exceptions to the typical players. Briere refuses to waive his NTC, and why not, he knows he as to be bought out because his cap. He can make his money on his remaining contract(2/3) of 3 million, and get a fresh contract. As for Bryz, sure he might get bought out, but he is completely untradable... just like DiPietro.
- youarewrong

I agree Bryz is untradeable but how do you know Briere isn't willing to waive? From all reports he has never been asked to.

You could make a case for moving either Coburn or Mez based on value against the cap, but as players, both are probably more part of the solution than the problem.

I actually don't mind the defense the way it's currently constructed. There are enough puck-movers in the group to get the job done, when everybody is healthy. The defensive deficiencies are more team-wide, IMO, too much casual, careless hockey from just about everybody.
- Tomahawk

Agreed.

Also any additional defensemen either traded for or signed is going to cost more than that player is worth. If we can add by promoting from within, let's do it. That's how you get players for lower contracts anyway.

Coby & Mez had off years and injuries at bad times over a condensed half-season that nobody thought was even going to happen. But previous to that they've taken us into the playoffs and performed well. Our problem is we're currently judging them on a performance sampling of 33 (Coby) & 11(Mez) games where the whole team sucked. Mezsaros has gone from being the Ashbee winner to random trade fodder based on 11 games.

If you buy-out Bryz... which I dont think will happen, then I wouldnt mind 1 year of Backstrom to split time with Mason. Then wait till next season when Howard, Lundquist, Miller, Hiller are available.
- youarewrong

All you have to do is get Backstrom to agree to play on a one year deal. As one of the top goalies available in Free Agency. He may not be willing to do so.

Agreed.

Also any additional defensemen either traded for or signed is going to cost more than that player is worth. If we can add by promoting from within, let's do it. That's how you get players for lower contracts anyway.

Coby & Mez had off years and injuries at bad times over a condensed half-season that nobody thought was even going to happen. But previous to that they've taken us into the playoffs and performed well. Our problem is we're currently judging them on a performance sampling of 33 (Coby) & 11(Mez) games where the whole team sucked. Mezsaros has gone from being the Ashbee winner to random trade fodder based on 11 games.
- flyler

+1

Wow. Great article. Some of my favorites from it.

"Bourdon has to endure the monotony of eye exercises for five hours each day. It’s an incredibly lonely and tedious endeavor, but one that Bourdon has accepted." (emphasis added)

"When they were on the ice last year and practicing and playing in the playoffs and I was off to the side throwing a tennis ball to myself against a wall, it was not fun. It was lonely. Yes, when you are hurt you have to recover by yourself. Even though you have the trainers the exercises and all the resources, you still have to do it by yourself. Nobody can force you to do it. You have to do it. You have to do it at home, where nobody sees you.”

Man you just want to gvie the kid a hug.
- FlyersGrace

Um, not really. Hockey players smell bad.

Remember, Bryz actually literally probably is one of the smartest intellectual people in the league, albeit his communication deficiencies.
- Flyers_V88

Guy professes to watch the History Channel, has a amateurish fascination with astronomy, and he qualifies as an intellectual? Jeez, is the bar really that low for hockey players? It's already bad enough that guys who played hockey at Ivy League schools are assumed to be super intelligent... now we're putting anybody who doesn't list golf and xbox as their top two off-ice interests on an intellectual pedestal? Does that make Andrew Ference the Einstein of the NHL?

Not sure if anyone saw Bryz comments or latest ones...but anyhow. There is no way he plays another season in Philly just cant see it. To me Bryz has been making to many underhanded comments, just seems like a guy that doesnt want to play here anymore. I think you see Mason as the starter and a veteran backup. For one Mason is a better one on one goaltender which is important when playing Lavy's system plus a much better puck handler. I think the Flyers can find a taker for Bryz too especially if they eat say 1 mil or 1.5mil of his deal.
- flyerfan28

I read them in his native language and will translate it on HF boards Flyers goaltending thread (hopefully by 11 p.m. tonight).

In my opinion there were no underhanded comments. He has a gripe with Philly media and he has never denied it.
Also, this interview is for the Russian audience and he gave his honest answers.

His political and historical views may be controversial, but they appear to be thoughtful and not "canned" answers.

I agree Bryz is untradeable but how do you know Briere isn't willing to waive? From all reports he has never been asked to.
- coffee junkie

I think Bill said it before, but NMC and NTC are more or less just so the player has control as to where he is dealt. How many times do you see a guy actually refuse to waive his NTC?

Its funny how wide everyone's opinion varies. Some people say Erhoff cant be traded and will be bought out, and other think that buffalo wouldnt use him to move up 5 spots....
- youarewrong

Why would buf trade or buyout ehroff? He's one of the only dmen that played ok for them. Front loaded contract so they have payed a ton to him already and only has 4 mil cap hit. MaKes no sence. Now buf does want to move up into top 3to 5. That's been widely reported so if say Tampa at 3 said we Want ehroff and #8 then maybe buf does that but not to move from 16 to 11. You can get basically same player at 16 as 11

I agree Bryz is untradeable but how do you know Briere isn't willing to waive? From all reports he has never been asked to.
- coffee junkie

You're right. There hasn't been anything saying that Briere has refused to waive. But from a pragmatic viewpoint it would make 0 financial sense for him to waive his rights. With the buyout he'll get 3.3 mil more than if he just stays quiet. Him being hurt during the trade deadline only made things more grey and incited more rumors.
It is what it is. I'd only give it a 10% chance that he gets traded before June 15th, and an 89% chance he gets bought out. I leave the 1% fly by night possibility that he stays with the Flyers.

Actually I'll take the bait and a crack at this...

For unsigned Shattenkirk. Couturier and 2013 second rounder. Hitchcock would kill for Couturier, they need forwards more then defense, and they have too many FA's. Good deal for both teams.

For Ehrhoff, Flyers 2013 11th overall pick for Ehroff and Buffalo 16th overall pick.

Then hopefully you can trade Coburn for 1st and 3rd and Meszaros for 2nd and 3rd.
- youarewrong

The Shattenkirk deal is reasonable. But the Buffalo deal. That's not happening.

I think Bill said it before, but NMC and NTC are more or less just so the player has control as to where he is dealt. How many times do you see a guy actually refuse to waive his NTC?
- NickTheKid87

That has nothing to do with my post. Back read please.

Um, not really. Hockey players smell bad.
- mayorofangrytown

K Mayor time to introduce you to this new thing called "soap".

That has nothing to do with my post. Back read please.
- coffee junkie

Why yes, disco turtle is quite disturbing.

Briere and Bryz are both exceptions to the typical players. Briere refuses to waive his NTC, and why not, he knows he as to be bought out because his cap. He can make his money on his remaining contract(2/3) of 3 million, and get a fresh contract. As for Bryz, sure he might get bought out, but he is completely untradable... just like DiPietro.
- youarewrong

We're just more familiar with the nuances of their particular situations. Comb through blogs, forums and articles for other teams... most teams have strong buyout candidates, and a few dark horses as well... and with the trade market slow for high-salaried players due to half the league needing to shed salary, buyouts are one of the only ways to relieve that pent up pressure in the market.

You're right. There hasn't been anything saying that Briere has refused to waive. But from a pragmatic viewpoint it would make 0 financial sense for him to waive his rights. With the buyout he'll get 3.3 mil more than if he just stays quiet. Him being hurt during the trade deadline only made things more grey and incited more rumors.
It is what it is. I'd only give it a 10% chance that he gets traded before June 15th, and an 89% chance he gets bought out. I leave the 1% fly by night possibility that he stays with the Flyers.
- FlyersGrace

I agree. Perhaps my post didn't make sense. I was just stating the fact that we don't know for sure that he refuses to waive his NMC as the previous poster suggested and was wrong about. I hope you are not suggesting Briere faked an injury to not be traded. That is absurd and disrespectful and I'll leave it at that. I agree he is being bought out unless he wants to do the Flyers a favor or save face which I too would put at 10% chance.

That has nothing to do with my post. Back read please.
- coffee junkie

I know I was just adding to your comment, not arguing.

I know I was just adding to your comment, not arguing.
- NickTheKid87

Sorry the ? threw me off.

Briere and Bryz are both exceptions to the typical players. Briere refuses to waive his NTC, and why not, he knows he as to be bought out because his cap. He can make his money on his remaining contract(2/3) of 3 million, and get a fresh contract. As for Bryz, sure he might get bought out, but he is completely untradable... just like DiPietro.
- youarewrong

I disagree. It would be an historic, contentious, and perhaps complicated trade, but he would fit in very will with NJ and their defense first style of play.

And as a bonus, he could torture his haters in Philly for a long time.

K Mayor time to introduce you to this new thing called "soap".

- FlyersGrace

Know it and use it often. Hockey players... not always.

I disagree. It would be an historic, contentious, and perhaps complicated trade, but he would fit in very will with NJ and their defense first style of play.

And as a bonus, he could torture his haters in Philly for a long time.
- Scoob

Bryzgalof in New Jersey with Big Lou and the Devils. That would be tremendous.

Just watched the Sharks game. Quick is like a superhero or something. Unbelievable how that guy moves. I have tickets to Saturdays game so I'm pulling hard for them to win next game and make game 3 more interesting.

Why yes, disco turtle is quite disturbing.
- FlyersGrace

As disturbing as the Disco Duck?

Do you trust Bryz at this point? I dont im not sure this organization does either. Make all the excuses you want but he doesnt have to talk to Russian media or random journalist, he is bringing it on himself. So in that mindframe, he isnt as smart as you hype him to be. Mason had two below average seasons on a bad team but also had a very good season on that same team yet he is still developing. Bryz is who he is, never been great in the playoffs and is getting paid a boat load to play very average goaltending. Defend your boy all you want but it is what it is.
- flyerfan28

Is Bryz perfect? No. Do I FULLY trust him? No. BUT, I also don't trust Mason either on his own. Have any of you guys considered Mason played well simply because there was literally NO PRESSURE AT ALL to perform? I just think the SMART move would be to keep Bryz on for another year at least, see how the team does, see how each respective goalie does, and then go from there on what to do with our last compliance buy-out.

Also, I'm getting really, really, really tired of people saying "oh Bryz doesn't have to do this, or say this, or say that, or he can go into Mike Richards-mode and avoid the media." Get this straight guys... THIS IS NOT FLORIDA OR PHOENIX. Do you not also think that if Bryz goes into complete silence with the media, that in itself will become an issue? No matter what, due to a wide variety of factors, Bryz is stuck in the persona and perception he's been cast into. I'm a firm believer that almost anything he does will continue as it has since he got here.

H'e damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't.

Guy professes to watch the History Channel, has a amateurish fascination with astronomy, and he qualifies as an intellectual? Jeez, is the bar really that low for hockey players? It's already bad enough that guys who played hockey at Ivy League schools are assumed to be super intelligent... now we're putting anybody who doesn't list golf and xbox as their top two off-ice interests on an intellectual pedestal? Does that make Andrew Ference the Einstein of the NHL?
- Tomahawk

No, legitimately Bryz is very smart. I think you mistake his poor English communication skills with lack of intelligence. Bryz used to attend university in Russia in the off-seasons to pursue his degree. How many NHL players even have their high-school? And how is his fascination with space and astronomy "amateurish"?