Valid points, thanks for the explanations!

I'm curious why the NFL does it then? Is it as simple as the teams/owners in the NFL having much more leverage over the NFLPA than is the case in the NHL? Although holdouts in the NFL do occur...
- Tartan69

NFL contracts are also much more ridiculous than NHL contracts, with exorbiant signing bonuses outweighing fully-honored contracts. That's my guess at least.

One one hand its nice to see Gibson do so well vs seasoned NHLers, on the other it really sucks that he out played our starting goalie

Why can players not restructure deals like they do in the NFL? I assume the NHLPA prevented that from being allowed in the CBA? Seems to me that since Briere wants to stay, his situation would be perfect for a restructuring that would be a win for both team and player.
- Tartan69

Circumvents the Cap.

I have to say, I'm now firmly on the buyout Bryzgalov bandwagon. I like the guy, have defended him when I felt necessary, and I still think he can be a good goalie, but I feel it's time to move on.

His performance in net has not been up to the standard needed given the financial and time commitment the team has made to him. He hasn't been awful, but he also hasn't been much better than average, either. The biggest issue is the wild inconsistency he's shown from week to week or month to month.

I understand replacing him is a bit dicey, but I also know that they can make a short term commitment to a new guy to split time with Mason and re-assess next summer.

With the shrinking cap and the new cap recapture penalties, I find it doubtful that Bryzgalov would complete his contract anyhow. Waiting until next summer is risky to me, because if Bryzgalov were to get hurt, the buyout option is off the table. They already have enough dead money/LTIR tied up in Pronger.

Finally, and least importantly, it's my firm opinion that he really doesn't want to be here. I'm not saying that it'll be an issue or that he'll cause trouble. It's more the icing on top of the cake. The primary, really only reasons, are the level of play doesn't meet the level of investment and the potential cap issues moving forward.
- Jsaquella

i'm not there yet. i don't think he's been wildly inconsistent, but overall, I agree not good enough for what we need him to be. As I've said many times, get the team in front of him to commit to smart, defensive hockey and stay reasonably healthy, bryz should be good enough for everyone to be happy. this whole year was a wash.

i understand your concern about potential injury eliminating the buyout option after next season, but he's been healthy throughout his career (chip fracture in the foot is nothing major), so i wouldn't operate from that place.

if he become a major distraction and continue to have inconsistent play, they will and should move on, but i'd give him this year. i couldn't care less about this WC tourney. he had great numbers before yesterday's game.

One one hand its nice to see Gibson do so well vs seasoned NHLers, on the other it really sucks that he out played our starting goalie
- flyers4487

At least we didn't trade Couturier for Bishop.

At least we didn't trade Couturier for Bishop.
- Feanor

your a silver linnings kind of guy huh?!

Circumvents the Cap.
- MJL

But the NFL has a cap too. Obviously the CBAs are different, but I'm wondering about what nuance in each CBA allows the NFL to do it versus why the NHL doesn't.

I have to say, I'm now firmly on the buyout Bryzgalov bandwagon. I like the guy, have defended him when I felt necessary, and I still think he can be a good goalie, but I feel it's time to move on.

His performance in net has not been up to the standard needed given the financial and time commitment the team has made to him. He hasn't been awful, but he also hasn't been much better than average, either. The biggest issue is the wild inconsistency he's shown from week to week or month to month.

I understand replacing him is a bit dicey, but I also know that they can make a short term commitment to a new guy to split time with Mason and re-assess next summer.

With the shrinking cap and the new cap recapture penalties, I find it doubtful that Bryzgalov would complete his contract anyhow. Waiting until next summer is risky to me, because if Bryzgalov were to get hurt, the buyout option is off the table. They already have enough dead money/LTIR tied up in Pronger.

Finally, and least importantly, it's my firm opinion that he really doesn't want to be here. I'm not saying that it'll be an issue or that he'll cause trouble. It's more the icing on top of the cake. The primary, really only reasons, are the level of play doesn't meet the level of investment and the potential cap issues moving forward.
- Jsaquella

inevitable conclusion

I have to say, I'm now firmly on the buyout Bryzgalov bandwagon. I like the guy, have defended him when I felt necessary, and I still think he can be a good goalie, but I feel it's time to move on.

His performance in net has not been up to the standard needed given the financial and time commitment the team has made to him. He hasn't been awful, but he also hasn't been much better than average, either. The biggest issue is the wild inconsistency he's shown from week to week or month to month.

I understand replacing him is a bit dicey, but I also know that they can make a short term commitment to a new guy to split time with Mason and re-assess next summer.

With the shrinking cap and the new cap recapture penalties, I find it doubtful that Bryzgalov would complete his contract anyhow. Waiting until next summer is risky to me, because if Bryzgalov were to get hurt, the buyout option is off the table. They already have enough dead money/LTIR tied up in Pronger.

Finally, and least importantly, it's my firm opinion that he really doesn't want to be here. I'm not saying that it'll be an issue or that he'll cause trouble. It's more the icing on top of the cake. The primary, really only reasons, are the level of play doesn't meet the level of investment and the potential cap issues moving forward.
- Jsaquella

Stop, dude. I have 3 dinners riding on him being on the roster next year

inevitable conclusion
- isaiah520

conevitable inclusion

Stop, dude. I have 3 dinners riding on him being on the roster next year
- KINGKENZO

i've got a $200 bet with a guy on my team. have to admit i'm starting to think this could happen now.

Don't worry about it. Others have had the same thought: It's a commonly asked question from what I've seen.
- bmeltzer

That's why I'm laughing. It's asked every day at least three times in each thread. It's hard to tell when posters are being serious and just digging at the people who are constantly answering the question.

But the NFL has a cap too. Obviously the CBAs are different, but I'm wondering about what nuance in each CBA allows the NFL to do it versus why the NHL doesn't.
- Tartan69

For one, the NHL has guaranteed contracts, while the NFL doesn't.

I really wish that the NHL would get the full text of the CBA on line, like they did with the 2005 deal. It would make things a lot more simple for everyone.
- Jsaquella

Have they even signed it yet? Last I heard it was still unratified.

That's why I'm laughing. It's asked every day at least three times in each thread. It's hard to tell when posters are being serious and just digging at the people who are constantly answering the question.
- mayorofangrytown

What if we bought him out, he changed his name and wore a fake moustache, and we resigned him?

i've got a $200 bet with a guy on my team. have to admit i'm starting to think this could happen now.
- hammarby31

haha...I want to slap him everytime he opens his mouth at this point

Have they even signed it yet? Last I heard it was still unratified.
- mayorofangrytown

It might not even be fully written. I know they were still working on that in March.

What if we bought him out, he changed his name and wore a fake moustache, and we resigned him?
- jmatchett383

I think that's allowed.

I think that's allowed.
- mayorofangrytown

We'll just give him an inconspicuous name, like Mariwayne Lemgretzky or Maurobby Richorr.

i'm not there yet. i don't think he's been wildly inconsistent, but overall, I agree not good enough for what we need him to be. As I've said many times, get the team in front of him to commit to smart, defensive hockey and stay reasonably healthy, bryz should be good enough for everyone to be happy. this whole year was a wash.

i understand your concern about potential injury eliminating the buyout option after next season, but he's been healthy throughout his career (chip fracture in the foot is nothing major), so i wouldn't operate from that place.

if he become a major distraction and continue to have inconsistent play, they will and should move on, but i'd give him this year. i couldn't care less about this WC tourney. he had great numbers before yesterday's game.
- hammarby31

The thing with waiting a year is, I don't see him staying past next year. Sure, he could pull a Vezina type year out of his ass, but I don't see it happening with Laviolette as the coach, given his style and past goalie handling.

I'd love to see him have a Vezina type year for the Flyers next year, because I do like the guy. But all things considered, I do think it's time to move on.

What if we bought him out, he changed his name and wore a fake moustache, and we resigned him?
- jmatchett383

Donny Breeair?

The thing with waiting a year is, I don't see him staying past next year. Sure, he could pull a Vezina type year out of his ass, but I don't see it happening with Laviolette as the coach, given his style and past goalie handling.

I'd love to see him have a Vezina type year for the Flyers next year, because I do like the guy. But all things considered, I do think it's time to move on.
- Jsaquella

Just to make sure I am on the same page. The recapture says that it you traded him or kept him and he retired early we would be on the hook for the difference in cap versus actual salary? 700K per season?

The timing of the buyout is of interest as well. He would be bought out prior top the draft, meaning the option at that exact time would be limited. Meaning we would not be negotiating for a backup with strength (if we had Bryz singing an Emery or Backstrom, etc..) would be easier IMHO. I'm not saying this is a reason not to buy him out this year, just that it is something to be aware of. I'm neutral on the topic. I do think injury next year and not being able to use the buyout then is of serious concern.

Just to make sure I am on the same page. The recapture says that it you traded him or kept him and he retired early we would be on the hook for the difference in cap versus actual salary? 700K per season?

The timing of the buyout is of interest as well. He would be bought out prior top the draft, meaning the option at that exact time would be limited. Meaning we would not be negotiating for a backup with strength (if we had Bryz singing an Emery or Backstrom, etc..) would be easier IMHO. I'm not saying this is a reason not to buy him out this year, just that it is something to be aware of. I'm neutral on the topic. I do think injury next year and not being able to use the buyout then is of serious concern.
- coffee junkie

But why would Emery or Backstrom sign here knowing that Bryz is still in the fold and Mason just resigned. This is a case where you can't have your cake and eat it too. If you imply to FA goalie that Bryz is getting bought out you lose bargaining leverage. If you don't imply that, then you're trying to sign a 3rd goalie to split time with two other goalies.

i'm not there yet. i don't think he's been wildly inconsistent, but overall, I agree not good enough for what we need him to be. As I've said many times, get the team in front of him to commit to smart, defensive hockey and stay reasonably healthy, bryz should be good enough for everyone to be happy. this whole year was a wash.

i understand your concern about potential injury eliminating the buyout option after next season, but he's been healthy throughout his career (chip fracture in the foot is nothing major), so i wouldn't operate from that place.

if he become a major distraction and continue to have inconsistent play, they will and should move on, but i'd give him this year. i couldn't care less about this WC tourney. he had great numbers before yesterday's game.
- hammarby31

I agree with everything you said.

But the NFL has a cap too. Obviously the CBAs are different, but I'm wondering about what nuance in each CBA allows the NFL to do it versus why the NHL doesn't.
- Tartan69

All NHL Contracts are guaranteed. Most NFL contracts are not.