Many here would agree with that. The only problem is who do you replace him with? And what happens if the end-of-the-year Mason is really more like the 2012 version?
- 77rams

It's possible that happens. I let Mason play next year. If he's the goods, then sign him to a deal, if he's not you are searching for a goaltender again. Two years of Bryzgalov is enough of a sample to see he's not the answer. Certainly not the answer when you take in account contract, circus sideshow etc.

A final four of Chicago/LA and NYR/Pitt would be so dreamy. I cant say I have a problem with any of those teams.

Chicago/LAK.....if you cant beat em trade your best players to another team and have them beat em. NYR/Pitt speaks for itself.
- Just5

Even Boston/Pitt would be a hell of a series.

Even Boston/Pitt would be a hell of a series.
- PLindbergh31

I'm really hoping for that...and I'm hoping Jagr has 4 OT winners.
Doubtful though: he's really pressing out there.

I'm really hoping for that...and I'm hoping Jagr has 4 OT winners.
Doubtful though: he's really pressing out there.
- jmatchett383

Father time appears to be catching up to him. Pierre said he's basically a 15-20 second a shift guy at this point.

Father time appears to be catching up to him. Pierre said he's basically a 15-20 second a shift guy at this point.
- PLindbergh31

Pierre's a liar. He's pulling his weight, and he's still very good at protecting the puck. He was out in OT fending off guys with his body. The thing is, he's hesitating ever so slightly and developing tunnel vision. He still has the desire, he just doesn't have the same zip he used to.

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER

FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)
Matt Read ($0.900m) / Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
Simon Gagne ($2.500m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m)
Tye McGinn ($0.775m) / Adam Hall ($0.750m) / Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m)
Jay Rosehill ($0.675m)

DEFENSEMEN
Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Braydon Coburn ($4.500m) / Dustin Byfuglien ($5.200m)
Erik Gustafsson ($0.851m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Brandon Manning ($0.715m) / Bruno Gervais ($0.825m)
Chris Pronger ($4.941m)

GOALTENDERS

Steve Mason ($1.500m)
Jaroslav Halak ($3.750m)

OTHER
Buyout: Oskars Bartulis ($0.100m)
Buyout: Ilya Bryzgalov ($0.000m)
Buyout: Danny Briere ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $64,791,929; BONUSES: $2,800,000
CAP SPACE (24-man roster): $2,308,071

(with Laughton and Mesz traded for Byfuglien and a pick)
(Halak for a 3rd round pick and a Phantom)
(flame away)
- bradleyc4

I'd rather keep Meszaros & Laughton. Byfuglien has never had a + season defensively and if you take away his PP points his regular strenth points are the same as Meszaros when both are healthy (Comparing 2010-11 Seasons)

Byfuglien- 53 points(24 pp, 29 even) -2
Meszaros- 32 points(6 pp, 26 even) +30

Meszaros's rookie year he was on Ottawa's top PP and had 19 points so he can score more. But like Giroux needed Richards & Carter to move on to get more time to breakout into the star player he is now. Meszaros needs Timmonen, Pronger & Carle to move aside to get some PP time.

Why give up Laughton when the only thing you need from Mez is to be able to give him more ice time?

Pierre's a liar. He's pulling his weight, and he's still very good at protecting the puck. He was out in OT fending off guys with his body. The thing is, he's hesitating ever so slightly and developing tunnel vision. He still has the desire, he just doesn't have the same zip he used to.
- jmatchett383

I usually let what Pierre says go in one ear and out the other, but Jagr seems to be laboring to me. I believe he got injured in the OT in game 7 against Toronto.

I'd rather keep Meszaros & Laughton. Byfuglien has never had a + season defensively and if you take away his PP points his regular strenth points are the same as Meszaros when both are healthy (Comparing 2010-11 Seasons)

Byfuglien- 53 points(24 pp, 29 even) -2
Meszaros- 32 points(6 pp, 26 even) +30

Meszaros's rookie year he was on Ottawa's top PP and had 19 points so he can score more. But like Giroux needed Richards & Carter to move on to get more time to breakout into the star player he is now. Meszaros needs Timmonen, Pronger & Carle to move aside to get some PP time.

Why give up Laughton when the only thing you need from Mez is to be able to give him more ice time?
- flyler

It would help if Mez can bring his shoulders to the ice.

I'd rather keep Meszaros & Laughton. Byfuglien has never had a + season defensively and if you take away his PP points his regular strenth points are the same as Meszaros when both are healthy (Comparing 2010-11 Seasons)

Byfuglien- 53 points(24 pp, 29 even) -2
Meszaros- 32 points(6 pp, 26 even) +30

Meszaros's rookie year he was on Ottawa's top PP and had 19 points so he can score more. But like Giroux needed Richards & Carter to move on to get more time to breakout into the star player he is now. Meszaros needs Timmonen, Pronger & Carle to move aside to get some PP time.

Why give up Laughton when the only thing you need from Mez is to be able to give him more ice time?
- flyler

I hope the Flyers have contingency plans with regards to Meszaros. Counting on him to be healthy is foolish.

I loved what I saw from Mason. Obviously a 7 game sample size isn't anything to make a long term commitment to. I would bring in a veteran goaltender for a reasonable cap hit, have Mason start the season as the # 1, and he plays the lions share of the games as his play dictates. If he doesn't play well then you reevaluate.
- PLindbergh31

Unless your Bob Murray and Anaheim.

Fasth'd.

Btw guys it's sounds like Flyers goalie prospect Anthony Stolarz is starting tonight vs Saskatoon
Beyond pumped. Gordie Howe dropping the puck tonight as well
- FLYERSROCK!

Awesome!

VAN board is looking for ways to trade Luongo to Philly

Like we need more high priced goalie issues

Unless your Bob Murray and Anaheim.

Fasth'd.
- bradleyc4

it is said that fasthing can have salutary health effects.....

I agree. I'm also not trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. In a negotiation the party that cares less usually comes out on top, imho. Again, I don't think this is reason to not buy him out this year, just something to consider that there is no stable backup plan due to the timing of the buyouts and that doesn't set well with me.

I actually don't care if they buy him out this year or next as long as he is bought out. I said it (wrote it) the day that deal was done. A noose around the organizations neck. Terrible contract from day one unless he was top 5 in the league (I didn't have faith in that) for 8 years.
- coffee junkie

What about if Bryzgalov is not in the top 5 in the League, but the Flyers win the Cup with him in net? Is it still a terrible contract?

What about if Bryzgalov is not in the top 5 in the League, but the Flyers win the Cup with him in net? Is it still a terrible contract?
- MJL

Depends. Does he have a Conn Smythe-esque playoff run? If they'd won the Cup with Michael Leighton, would he be worth the contract that Bryz has?

I know you don't deal in hypotheticals, but it's there for everyone else to consider.

@NHLonNBCSports
Lundqvist vents frustration after OT loss - "Have I played bad in overtime? No. Can I score? No."

uh-oh. did csp just throw his team under the bus?! controversy! omg! i can't belieeeeeve he said that!!!
- hammarby31

The outrage that would be made of that if Bryzgalov said it!

I'd rather keep Meszaros & Laughton. Byfuglien has never had a + season defensively and if you take away his PP points his regular strenth points are the same as Meszaros when both are healthy (Comparing 2010-11 Seasons)

Byfuglien- 53 points(24 pp, 29 even) -2
Meszaros- 32 points(6 pp, 26 even) +30

Meszaros's rookie year he was on Ottawa's top PP and had 19 points so he can score more. But like Giroux needed Richards & Carter to move on to get more time to breakout into the star player he is now. Meszaros needs Timmonen, Pronger & Carle to move aside to get some PP time.

Why give up Laughton when the only thing you need from Mez is to be able to give him more ice time?
- flyler

This was actually very reasonable and I can agree with a lot of it. Too bad he's made of glass.

i find that to be a plausible rationale, but ultimately unconvincing given the performance so far, the off ice team related issues (which do exist) and the cap risks of an early retirement. and i should add that jsaq's point about the lavi dynamic is certainly valid as well.
- isaiah520

You don't have enough information to know that there is off ice related team issues. Mountain out of a molehill. The scenario I presented is a definite possibility. And has never been a possibility that you have ever considered, in any of your responses.

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER

FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)
Matt Read ($0.900m) / Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
Simon Gagne ($2.500m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m)
Tye McGinn ($0.775m) / Adam Hall ($0.750m) / Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m)
Jay Rosehill ($0.675m)

DEFENSEMEN
Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Braydon Coburn ($4.500m) / Dustin Byfuglien ($5.200m)
Erik Gustafsson ($0.851m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Brandon Manning ($0.715m) / Bruno Gervais ($0.825m)
Chris Pronger ($4.941m)

GOALTENDERS

Steve Mason ($1.500m)
Jaroslav Halak ($3.750m)

OTHER
Buyout: Oskars Bartulis ($0.100m)
Buyout: Ilya Bryzgalov ($0.000m)
Buyout: Danny Briere ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $64,791,929; BONUSES: $2,800,000
CAP SPACE (24-man roster): $2,308,071

(with Laughton and Mesz traded for Byfuglien and a pick)
(Halak for a 3rd round pick and a Phantom)
(flame away)
- bradleyc4

I wouldn't take Byfuglien if I could get him for a 5th round pick. Zero interest in him.

You don't have enough information to know that there is off ice related team issues. Mountain out of a molehill. The scenario I presented is a definite possibility. And has never been a possibility that you have ever considered, in any of your responses.
- MJL

He doesn't have hard evidence to prove that it/they happened/existed.
You don't have hard evidence to prove it/they didn't happen/exist.
It's speculation. They're both possibilities. Would you agree with that?

You don't think they'd still try at this if he was playing well?
- BulliesPhan87

Because the Philly Media has never tried it with a player who was playing well!

I wouldn't take Byfuglien if I could get him for a 5th round pick. Zero interest in him.
- MJL

Especially if Edler is on the market as well.

Depends. Does he have a Conn Smythe-esque playoff run? If they'd won the Cup with Michael Leighton, would he be worth the contract that Bryz has?

I know you don't deal in hypotheticals, but it's there for everyone else to consider.
- jmatchett383

Leighton doesn't have the pedigree and past that Bryzgalov has. So he wouldn't be able to command the same deal. And if the Flyers would win the Cup with Bryzgalov in net, I would assume he would have to play solid Hockey for them to do so. Regardless of if he plays to Conn Smythe level or not.

You don't have enough information to know that there is off ice related team issues. Mountain out of a molehill. The scenario I presented is a definite possibility. And has never been a possibility that you have ever considered, in any of your responses.
- MJL

of course i considered it. i want/wanted him to succeed, but i don't think it's meant to be and it's primarily on him. if we give him a mulligan for yr 1, what do we say about yr 2? ok, he handled more difficult chances? i don't think so and some considered opinion here and elsewhere agrees. many here agree w/ you and i respect that, but i always come back to this- he was brought here to play like a top 3rd goalie and i ask myself if i think that's realistic given what we've seen so far, and i think 'no'. then i look at the contract realities and how he has comported himself and it adds up to a CBO to me. i have no more bias than you...just a different viewpoint.

He doesn't have hard evidence to prove that it/they happened/existed.
You don't have hard evidence to prove it/they didn't happen/exist.
It's speculation. They're both possibilities. Would you agree with that?
- jmatchett383

Where I come from, and how I approach things. I don't accuse a player, of being an off ice issue, if I don't have the facts to support it. I give the benefit of the doubt. What's more reasonable? Labeling a player as being a problem, when you don't have the info to support it? Or the opposite, giving the benefit of the doubt?