I don't think it's as important to buyout Bryzgalov right away, as it is to buyout Briere. I'm alright with giving Bryz one more season but I can also see the urgency for place under the cap to fill other needs. Speaking for myself, I don't think Steve Mason is an upgrade over Bryzgalov but Mason is capable of getting back to where he was his rookie season. In my opinion, Mason is in a better position here with the Flyers, then he was with the Blue Jackets.
With this said, if Bryzgalov really must be shown the exit, I would target Ray Emery. It would be interesting to watch Mason and Emery compete for the number goaltending spot. A little healthy competition should be welcomed, rather then just handed out. - dingo8urbaby
Thing that I didn't consider until Mason got here was how valuable a puck handling goalie is for this team with a less than solid d corps. I found he really helped us out at the end of the year. I think Mason can be the guy but I'd like to see it over the full season. I tell you what, Greg Millen and the rest of the Canadian media will be sad if Bryz goes because they won't have a whipping boy anymore and will actually have to watch the team play instead of just saying Flyers lose because of Bryz only.
try finding a better defense than blaming it on your fvcking goalie!!?? I mean did you actually believe Luke Schenn was going to be your savior on defense?! Talk about a prospect who has been damaged from being rushed up way too early. Stop blaming the goaltending for all of PHI's woes. Try letting go of Laviolette and go for a defensive minded coach such as Dave Tippet?? System has a lot to do with how a goalie performs. - Orange Julius
My take exactly why they should swallow hard, admit they made a mistake, and move on...
I don't think he's a bad goaltender at all, just one who may be stylistically ill-suited to the system the head coach has wanted his team to play (due to Bryzgalov's average lateral mobility, below-average puckhandling, and inconsistency on his stick side in general) and, like all goalies, is made to look far worse than he actually is by leaky team defense. ...as per Bill, and I agree.
Was the team defense leaky? Absolutely. Is any one else carrying a similar heavy contract while playing below their pay grade? No. But if they were, they should be on the buyout/trade list as well. However, the defense is not to blame for the reasons underlined. Bill, as well as those of us here, have continually pointed out these same weaknesses over the past two years, so that's no secret.
Simply put, even placing the overall team defense aside, Breeze is playing well below his contractual expectations. To carry such a cap hit for a third year and beyond would be Homer's second mistake regarding this deal.
Lastly, regarding Bernier, like I said yesterday - pass. Too small. - 77rams
Well, with Laviolette not moving on, and likely to utilize the same system, the key question is, can Bryzgalov have success and fin consistency?
Thing that I didn't consider until Mason got here was how valuable a puck handling goalie is for this team with a less than solid d corps. I found he really helped us out at the end of the year. I think Mason can be the guy but I'd like to see it over the full season. I tell you what, Greg Millen and the rest of the Canadian media will be sad if Bryz goes because they won't have a whipping boy anymore and will actually have to watch the team play instead of just saying Flyers lose because of Bryz only. - Hextall271
I also noticed how key Mason was with his handling of the puck as well. It made me think of Brian Boucher instantly. Boucher isn't the most talented goaltender in the league, but his ability to handle the puck has kept him around along time.
The blog pretty much sums up my take on the entire Bryzgalov situation, except explained in a more coherent way than I ever could. That's why Bill is the best.
I'd just add that I think the whole recapture part of the CBA would also factor heavily in the Flyers amnesty of Bryz, if they choose to go that route. They can say something like, "When we drew up the contract, this contract rule wasn't in existence and we are still happy with the contract as is (as far as money and years). However, in the context of the new CBA (recapture clause), the current structure isn't a deal we'd have made, so we're deciding it's in the best interest of the team to move on from it from a strictly business standpoint." If they do the amnesty, I think it'd be spun somehow like that. And maybe it'd be the honest truth... that it isn't a "hockey" decision more than a longterm cap one. - eayost
I wouldn't be pissed if he came back, just personally, I'd do it now. I have little faith in his ability to play up to his contract level in Philadelphia under the current situation. - Jsaquella
my concern is what if they wait until next summer... if he's injured, then no buyout, right?
Thing that I didn't consider until Mason got here was how valuable a puck handling goalie is for this team with a less than solid d corps. I found he really helped us out at the end of the year. I think Mason can be the guy but I'd like to see it over the full season. I tell you what, Greg Millen and the rest of the Canadian media will be sad if Bryz goes because they won't have a whipping boy anymore and will actually have to watch the team play instead of just saying Flyers lose because of Bryz only. - Hextall271
Mason's ability in that regard was very helpful, but the team defense also improved as Laviolette "simplified" things.
Not taking anything away from Mason, because he played very well, but the team also played markedly better defense and gave much better puck support during the last few weeks of the season.
I also noticed how key Mason was with his handling of the puck as well. It made me think of Brian Boucher instantly. Boucher isn't the most talented goaltender in the league, but his ability to handle the puck has kept him around along time. - dingo8urbaby
Yeah, I'd say Mason is a bit better of a puck handler but I see what you mean. Overall I also like his technique and lateral movement over Bryz. I just want to see if he can do it under pressure instead of at the end of a lost season. If he can, you buy out Bryz next summer and get a decent backup. I think picking Mason up was a solid move by the org.
Thank you. She's doing great! Sleeps well, smiles a lot, fusses her fair share but that's par for the course.
My four-year-old son is getting into sports. Right now, he likes soccer more than hockey but he likes hockey, too. A few months ago, he informed me that "Goalies wear masks. They have different sticks. They skate slow.... but they are POWERFUL. They talk to the shooter." - bmeltzer
Mason's ability in that regard was very helpful, but the team defense also improved as Laviolette "simplified" things.
Not taking anything away from Mason, because he played very well, but the team also played markedly better defense and gave much better puck support during the last few weeks of the season. - Jsaquella
That's true as well. At the end of the day, I am interested to see us get help on D, but I'm worried about getting rid of Bryz and trading for another tender. Basically throwing assets out the window. Why not sign a guy if you want to do that. The Bernier thing doesn't make sense to me.
That's true as well. At the end of the day, I am interested to see us get help on D, but I'm worried about getting rid of Bryz and trading for another tender. Basically throwing assets out the window. Why not sign a guy if you want to do that. The Bernier thing doesn't make sense to me. - Hextall271
I'm not sure I'd do a Read for Bernier trade, either.
I have no worries about dumping Bryz. Even if he has success elsewhere, I doubt he'd have it here, under this coach and behind this team.
Me and a bunch of friends are going to go across the atlantic next season. We want to get as much hockey as possible, and be tourists. But... I am not good at geography. They are Pitt fans, I am a flyer. We were thinking of living in NY. Does that make sense?
Also, how far from NY to Pit and Philly? If we live in ny we could get matches in Jersey, Islanders, Rangers, Washington, Buffalo, Philly and Pitt - or am I dreaming here? Too much travelling? - Bearintheforest
if you are in nyc it is very easy to see rangers, isles, and devils
nyc to philadelphia is a one hour train ride, or a little longer on the bus
to pittsburgh is MUCH further, several hours by train.
nyc to DC is 3 hours by train, but it's a great tourist city, you should stay there a day or two.
I don't think it's as important to buyout Bryzgalov right away, as it is to buyout Briere. I'm alright with giving Bryz one more season but I can also see the urgency for place under the cap to fill other needs. Speaking for myself, I don't think Steve Mason is an upgrade over Bryzgalov but Mason is capable of getting back to where he was his rookie season. In my opinion, Mason is in a better position here with the Flyers, then he was with the Blue Jackets.
With this said, if Bryzgalov really must be shown the exit, I would target Ray Emery. It would be interesting to watch Mason and Emery compete for the number goaltending spot. A little healthy competition should be welcomed, rather then just handed out. - dingo8urbaby
briere isn't going to retire before his contract ends, i'd love to have his cap space but it's not urgent to me.
Mason's ability in that regard was very helpful, but the team defense also improved as Laviolette "simplified" things.
Not taking anything away from Mason, because he played very well, but the team also played markedly better defense and gave much better puck support during the last few weeks of the season. - Jsaquella
and won more faceoffs with hall= more puck possession
Yeah, I'd say Mason is a bit better of a puck handler but I see what you mean. Overall I also like his technique and lateral movement over Bryz. I just want to see if he can do it under pressure instead of at the end of a lost season. If he can, you buy out Bryz next summer and get a decent backup. I think picking Mason up was a solid move by the org. - Hextall271
Personally, I have a problem with handing Steve Mason the keys to the kingdom. I think he still needs to earn that spot. This is why I think we should sign a player like Ray Emery. You sign him, you don't get him in a trade. Emery should cost less and have less years then Bryz. I think it's a win-win for the Flyers.
Personally, I have a problem with handing Steve Mason the keys to the kingdom. I think he still needs to earn that spot. This is why I think we should sign a player like Ray Emery. You sign him, you don't get him in a trade. Emery should cost less and have less years then Bryz. I think it's a win-win for the Flyers. - dingo8urbaby
If Bryz is gone, they're going to get another goalie, regardless. Like anything else, it depends on the cost. Maybe they can get a goalie in a bigger trade for defense help, rather than a 1 for 1 trade for Bernier.
