Another weak goal by the Pens.

I honestly don't care about anything off the ice (unless the police are involved). I look at the production on the ice and the goaltender hasn't been good enough. We can put blame on the defense (team included) or the injuries but Bryz has been average at best since being signed here. The Flyers aren't getting enough production on the ice to warrant that contract. Sometimes you have to cut bait and move on from the mistake.

By the way this is just my speculation but some of his comments are coming off as if he wants to leave the Flyers.
- stveshdy

I agree with your assessment of the situation. But I also believe that in combination with a raised level of play from Bryzgalov himself, along with better team play. The results can be there. But if he's back, this next Season is it. The results need to be substantially improved not to use the CBO.

I don't however agree that his comments are coming off as if he wants to leave the Flyers. I don't get that sense at all.

I agree with your assessment of the situation. But I also believe that in combination with a raised level of play from Bryzgalov himself, along with better team play. The results can be there. But if he's back, this next Season is it. The results need to be substantially improved not to use the CBO.

I don't however agree that his comments are coming off as if he wants to leave the Flyers. I don't get that sense at all.
- MJL

Regardless of his comments, Bryzgalov has been average at best. For two years I've waited for him to perform at another level but he hasn't been able to do that. He's given the Flyers average goaltending and at that price it makes no sense to keep him around. The Flyers can get the same production from Mason for a quarter of the price.

Holmgren has a big decision to make but as a fan I will support the team.

Regardless of his comments, Bryzgalov has been average at best. For two years I've waited for him to perform at another level but he hasn't been able to do that. He's given the Flyers average goaltending and at that price it makes no sense to keep him around. The Flyers can get the same production from Mason for a quarter of the price.

Holmgren has a big decision to make but as a fan I will support the team.
- stveshdy

You think the Flyers can get the same production from Mason. That would remain to be seen. Who knows, it could be even better for a quarter of the price. I'm willing to give it one more Season. Same here for me, whichever way they go. I will also support the team.

Regardless of his comments, Bryzgalov has been average at best. For two years I've waited for him to perform at another level but he hasn't been able to do that. He's given the Flyers average goaltending and at that price it makes no sense to keep him around. The Flyers can get the same production from Mason for a quarter of the price.

Holmgren has a big decision to make but as a fan I will support the team.
- stveshdy

Thing is, he has been average on average, meaning some spells of stellar play, and some very bad. Unlike people like Leighton who tend to be average all the time. So one hopes he can go on a hot streak (something he is clearly capable of) if the play in front of him improves. I don't see what is gained by not giving him another year. They are nowhere near being a contender and might as well consider becoming one a 3 year project or so. What happens if Hartnell has a terrible year and Bryz a good one next season. Who then should be bought out?

Maclean may win the Adams but I am surprised by the way Sens are playing the Pens. Did they watch the way we play them? They are being given far too much leeway to do their razzle dazzle stuff. Too easy into the zone, too much space at the points, not enough physical play.
Though part of me would like to see Pens play Hawks. It would be two of the most highly skilled teams in a SCF in recent years.

Thing is, he has been average on average, meaning some spells of stellar play, and some very bad. Unlike people like Leighton who tend to be average all the time. So one hopes he can go on a hot streak (something he is clearly capable of) if the play in front of him improves. I don't see what is gained by not giving him another year. They are nowhere near being a contender and might as well consider becoming one a 3 year project or so. What happens if Hartnell has a terrible year and Bryz a good one next season. Who then should be bought out?
- PT21

Hartnell has trade value imo as Bryzgalov has zero with that contract.

"Well, I think he's out of line," Oates said on Washington's 106.7 The Fan. "[Tortorella] should be worried about his own series. We didn't whine once during the series. I never complained. I don't know, did you guys ever hear me complain about officiating?"

Oates seemed so frustrated that he was asked whether he could beat up Tortorella.

"Yes," Oates said, "easily."

You think the Flyers can get the same production from Mason. That would remain to be seen. Who knows, it could be even better for a quarter of the price. I'm willing to give it one more Season. Same here for me, whichever way they go. I will also support the team.
- MJL

Will see what happens. I'm just not expecting different results if he sticks around another year.

Hartnell has trade value imo as Bryzgalov has zero with that contract.
- stveshdy

Not total zero. If you really think a team with no cap issues wouldn't take Bryzgalov for a 7th round pick you're mistaken. There really are very few players with "zero" trade value. The Islanders would be my first guess.

At least Ottowa has been able to gain a little ground back. I don't know who told me that Karlsson was pretty good defensively, so far I think Karlsson's proven him wrong. Sort of shows that the Norris is really just for the best offensive defenseman. Hopefully they'll prove me wrong this year and pick Suter.

Not total zero. If you really think a team with no cap issues wouldn't take Bryzgalov for a 7th round pick you're mistaken. There really are very few players with "zero" trade value. The Islanders would be my first guess.
- JAKEw1234

The Islanders have a better goalie in net with Nabokov. There are other goalie options out there before a team looks to add a goalie like Bryz and that monster contract.

Thing is, he has been average on average, meaning some spells of stellar play, and some very bad. Unlike people like Leighton who tend to be average all the time. So one hopes he can go on a hot streak (something he is clearly capable of) if the play in front of him improves. I don't see what is gained by not giving him another year. They are nowhere near being a contender and might as well consider becoming one a 3 year project or so. What happens if Hartnell has a terrible year and Bryz a good one next season. Who then should be bought out?
- PT21

my concern is that the mkt for goalies won't be as good for the next off season. then we are in a situation somewhat similar to the one that led to us forcing it w/ bryz should they choose to exercise the CBO. other than that, another yr of bryz would be ok.

Zadorov lost his man on the backside giving Saksatoon the free shot at an open net.

Is Anderson hurt??

Lehner with a HUGE save. Beautiful

Is Anderson hurt??

Lehner with a HUGE save. Beautiful
- Giroux_Is_God

Nope. Just not very good tonight.

Nope. Just not very good tonight.
- stveshdy

Oh he got yanked? I just tuned in just in time to see Lehner rob the Pens.

How the (frank) is that not a penalty on Malkin?

Oh he got yanked? I just tuned in just in time to see Lehner rob the Pens.
- Giroux_Is_God

Yeah. Two of the three goals were weak.

Not total zero. If you really think a team with no cap issues wouldn't take Bryzgalov for a 7th round pick you're mistaken. There really are very few players with "zero" trade value. The Islanders would be my first guess.
- JAKEw1234

A team with no cap issues and a need to get to the floor will take a guy with a year or two left on his contract, but I doubt that anyone takes 7 years at the amount Bryzgalov is getting.

2013: Year of the Ducking Goalie

A team with no cap issues and a need to get to the floor will take a guy with a year or two left on his contract, but I doubt that anyone takes 7 years at the amount Bryzgalov is getting.
- Jsaquella

Contract is brutal and the production is average. Not a smart investment for any team to take on.

From rotoworld :

Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider "didn’t pick" Ilya Bryzgalov before the team signed him to a nine-year, $51 million contract.

"That’s not my job," Snider continued. "Our staff picked Bryz of the available goaltenders and (general manager) Paul Holmgren basically decided that was the guy he wanted. My role in the whole thing was to say, ‘We’ve got to get a quality goaltender. We can’t go through what we went through that year with the goaltending in the (2010) playoffs.’ I think we would have won that Cup (instead of losing in the Final to Chicago) if we had been a little more solid at the time in goal and not switching around so often. The point is that I don’t get involved. I don’t ever say, ‘I’m signing this player.’ I don’t know enough about the players. We have scouts. We have Paul Holmgren. We have all the people that work for Paul that make these decisions.

At least Ottowa has been able to gain a little ground back. I don't know who told me that Karlsson was pretty good defensively, so far I think Karlsson's proven him wrong. Sort of shows that the Norris is really just for the best offensive defenseman. Hopefully they'll prove me wrong this year and pick Suter.
- JAKEw1234

That's historically fairly accurate.

The last pure shut down defender to win the award was Rod Langway in the '80's. Probably the only one since the '67 expansion.

They should also have an award for the best defensive defensman, something like the Selke Trophy for the backliners.

Contract is brutal and the production is average. Not a smart investment for any team to take on.
- stveshdy

Neither was Tim Thomas, but the Bruins found a taker.

The thing is, Bryz has 7 years left. No team is taking on 7 years. And even if they do, the Flyers are still on the hook for cap recapture if he retires early.

Even if they can trade him there's no way they should.