inevitable conclusion
- isaiah520

It's not an inevitable conclusion. It is a possibility. You just hope and pray that's what happens.

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.
- GirouxForTheShow

Hmmm...I see where you're going with that. I think the goalie market is flooded and getting someone to sign with you is not a difficult issue. I think you have more leverage telling an agent, we would like to sign your player to replace Bryz. We are plenty happy with Bryz if we need him to stay and your client is willing to accept our offer. Instead of t he other situation. We need a starting goalie as we have none. Will you sign this small contract? Perhaps I'm way off base. I was just thinking about how the timing of the buyout is odd since you will not have a replacement lined up until after. Seems like rolling the dice even more to me.

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

i see your point. we just don't know what kind of moves will be made, and what kind of adjustments lava will make, if any. i'd prefer to keep him for one more year, risk the injury situation. if they cut him loose, whatever. the circus/merry-go-round continues. no big deal. i don't need a delorean, because our future and present are the same as our past.

It's not an inevitable conclusion. It is a possibility. You just hope and pray that's what happens.
- MJL

Why would he pray? Please be nicer to others, it makes my day better

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

if we wait and the options for a replacement are poor, we're up against it again. that said, if the goalie mkt ends up bare this yr, i'm ok w/ keeping him for 1 more yr, but the buyout's gonna happen this yr or nxt.

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

The cap hit would depend on when he retired.

Hmmm...I see where you're going with that. I think the goalie market is flooded and getting someone to sign with you is not a difficult issue. I think you have more leverage telling an agent, we would like to sign your player to replace Bryz. We are plenty happy with Bryz if we need him to stay and your client is willing to accept our offer. Instead of t he other situation. We need a starting goalie as we have none. Will you sign this small contract? Perhaps I'm way off base. I was just thinking about how the timing of the buyout is odd since you will not have a replacement lined up until after. Seems like rolling the dice even more to me.
- coffee junkie

I like how you presented that here, basically "look, if you accept this contract we are going to CBO Bryz and run with you and Mason. If not, no sweat, Bryz is a plenty good goaltender to get us where we want to go." I definitely see your point though, don't just buy him out to buy him out and without having a plan B or a plan in general.

What a loser this Jeff Carter is. Anyone can put a puck in a 4x6 net, he couldn't even clang one off Niemi's mask last night! Friggin' stiff.

It's not an inevitable conclusion. It is a possibility. You just hope and pray that's what happens.
- MJL

you know it is. there's no practical argument for keeping him 7 more yrs and you know it.

if we wait and the options for a replacement are poor, we're up against it again. that said, if the goalie mkt ends up bare this yr, i'm ok w/ keeping him for 1 more yr, but the buyout's gonna happen this yr or nxt.
- isaiah520

So you think if Bryzgalov has a strong Season, and the Flyers in turn make a deep playoff run. With Bryzgalov as a key player in that run. That the Flyers would walk away from that and buy him out. Because of what could happen, 6 years down the road?

you know it is. there's no practical argument for keeping him 7 more yrs and you know it.
- isaiah520

Yes, there is a very practical argument for keeping him. You just refuse to accept the possibility.

I wonder if Bryzgalov will go with a new mask next year. I'm thinking Stalin on one side, Hitler on the other.... Maybe Hussein or Bin Laden on the back.

Hmmm...I see where you're going with that. I think the goalie market is flooded and getting someone to sign with you is not a difficult issue. I think you have more leverage telling an agent, we would like to sign your player to replace Bryz. We are plenty happy with Bryz if we need him to stay and your client is willing to accept our offer. Instead of t he other situation. We need a starting goalie as we have none. Will you sign this small contract? Perhaps I'm way off base. I was just thinking about how the timing of the buyout is odd since you will not have a replacement lined up until after. Seems like rolling the dice even more to me.
- coffee junkie

The agent will know you're going to buyout Bryzgalov long before you talk to him. And just by talking to him, he'll know your not happy with Bryzgalov. Agents would see right through that.

Slightly off topic....

Bill: Are you related to the Dave Meltzer profiled in this NYT piece? He's a wrestling reporter....

http://www.nytimes.com/20...-Kh/xrUfa%20Vy1Y4jR3jyivA

The agent will know you're going to buyout Bryzgalov long before you talk to him. And just by talking to him, he'll know your not happy with Bryzgalov. Agents would see right through that.
- MJL

Not if you honestly wouldn't mind keeping Bryz, which I am firmly in that boat.

Edit: for another year

Not if you honestly wouldn't mind keeping Bryz, which I am firmly in that boat.
- coffee junkie

The agent is still going to know. If you were that okay with keeping Bryzgalov, you wouldn't be talking to him about his client. Agents know the game.

The agent is still going to know. If you were that okay with keeping Bryzgalov, you wouldn't be talking to him about his client. Agents know the game.
- MJL

There is nothing backhanded about what I am saying. It isn't a game. Keep him or not..whatevs.

I think the bigger issue for me is not having a solid backup plan in place. Oh how the goalie turns in Philly

Yes, there is a very practical argument for keeping him. You just refuse to accept the possibility.
- MJL

make it...7 more yrs...go ahead...

make it...7 more yrs...go ahead...
- isaiah520

Already made it. See an above post I made.

Slightly off topic....

Bill: Are you related to the Dave Meltzer profiled in this NYT piece? He's a wrestling reporter....

http://www.nytimes.com/20...-Kh/xrUfa%20Vy1Y4jR3jyivA
- johndewar

i would tweet him.

There is nothing backhanded about what I am saying. It isn't a game. Keep him or not..whatevs.

I think the bigger issue for me is not having a solid backup plan in place. Oh how the goalie turns in Philly
- coffee junkie

I didn't say it was backhanded. I'm just saying you aren't go to pull the wool over any agents.

You don't buy out Bryz this summer because simply put, the time isn't right. Let's be honest. I think for the long run, Mason MAY be the better choice. But for 2013? I think Bryz gives you the better chance to win. Timonen signed a 1-year extension, so it's pretty clear that the team will likely be treating this year as a heavy push for the cup. I'm not saying that one player's presence changes an entire organization's philosophy, but I don't see how they could buyout Bryz and Briere, start Mason, and tell Timonen that they're still going for it all this year.

I think Briere is bought out, Bryz stays and lets Mason get a strong amount of games, and they make a heavy push for the cup. Once that's done, Bryz is likely gone, unless Mason completely poops the bed.

That's my 2 cents.

You don't buy out Bryz this summer because simply put, the time isn't right. Let's be honest. I think for the long run, Mason MAY be the better choice. But for 2013? I think Bryz gives you the better chance to win. Timonen signed a 1-year extension, so it's pretty clear that the team will likely be treating this year as a heavy push for the cup. I'm not saying that one player's presence changes an entire organization's philosophy, but I don't see how they could buyout Bryz and Briere, start Mason, and tell Timonen that they're still going for it all this year.

I think Briere is bought out, Bryz stays and lets Mason get a strong amount of games, and they make a heavy push for the cup. Once that's done, Bryz is likely gone, unless Mason completely poops the bed.

That's my 2 cents.
- steelydan

What happens if Mason is the starting goaltender next year and Bryz is the backup? You think its a circus now wait til that happens Lavy had plenty of chances to say Bryz would be the starter next season and he never did. Mason believes he has a shot to be the #1 here, he wouldnt just assume that on his own.

haha another giroux.... right up your alley





- Philly1980

Homer carries Briere out the door

What happens if Mason is the starting goaltender next year and Bryz is the backup? You think its a circus now wait til that happens Lavy had plenty of chances to say Bryz would be the starter next season and he never did. Mason believes he has a shot to be the #1 here, he wouldnt just assume that on his own.
- flyerfan28

A Coach coming out and saying who the #1 goaltender is for the following Season, when the previous Season has just ended. Is not a common occurrence. Especially when the Coach, who is not in charge of player personell decisions. Doesn't even know who is going to be on the team. The Coach decides who the starter is in training camp in September. Not in April when the team's Season is over.