I somewhat agree, but I don't think Bryzgalov has been horrible, he's been inconsistent & isn't worth the "Lundqvist" like contract.
- puckhead17

His contract is part of the issue. He hasnt lived up to expectations. Can't afford to pay a player that kind of money when your getting average to below average goaltending.

Versatile Top 9 forward good for 20-25 goals >>>>>> Unproven NHL goaltender

If we trade Matt Read for Jonathan Bernier, Homer needs to be cut loose.

I'm all for keeping Bryz, but I'm also all for buying him out. It makes no difference to me. He can give us a another solid year of play along with Mason. I really like that tandem. However, I think regardless he gets bought out. It's a bad contract that will never be lived up to throughout it's duration and everyone knows it.

Personally, I'd rather they just cut ties with Bryz now so they can try and figure out this situation we have on the blue-line. If we buy-out Bryz, I wouldn't mind signing a guy like Smith, Emery or Khudobin to create a solid tandem with Mason. I really like Khudobin, but there were rumors he could go to the KHL? I was thoroughly impressed by his play this year for Boston. I would be totally comfortable with him and Mason as a tandem.

How does everyone feel about trading Read + Coburn and possibly a draft pick for a top defensemen? I think this is the best package we can put together without supplementing to much of our future. I don't see how any team would NOT want Matt Read given he is still fairly young and comes incredibly cheap for the time being for all he brings to the table. Coburn is as legit a top 4 defender as you can come by in todays NHL. Down half a season or not, he has tremendous value to many clubs.

Does Coburn + Matt Read get us Justin Faulk? Or even Erik Johnson? If it doesnt it should get us damn close.

-Coburn + Read (possibly one more asset) for Erik Johnson (and maybe another asset, Jamie McGinn?)
-Resign Simon Gagne
-Sign Mike Smith, David Steckel, Ryan Jones (if no Jamie McGinn)

Gagner-Giroux-Voracek
Hartnell-Schenn-Simmonds
Talbot-Couterier-Jones/Jamie McGinn (if acquired)
T. McGinn-Steckel-Rinaldo
-Rosehill/Akeson/Laughton (AHL)

Timonen-Schenn
Johnson-Meszaros
Grossman-Gustafson

Mason/Smith

?
- mochoson

Grossman is coming off a 2nd concussion, & Mez is in a body cast, I wouldn't trade Coburn

Versatile Top 9 forward good for 20-25 goals >>>>>> Unproven NHL goaltender

If we trade Matt Read for Jonathan Bernier, Homer needs to be cut loose.

I'm all for keeping Bryz, but I'm also all for buying him out. It makes no difference to me. He can give us a another solid year of play along with Mason. I really like that tandem. However, I think regardless he gets bought out. It's a bad contract that will never be lived up to throughout it's duration and everyone knows it.

Personally, I'd rather they just cut ties with Bryz now so they can try and figure out this situation we have on the blue-line. If we buy-out Bryz, I wouldn't mind signing a guy like Smith, Emery or Khudobin to create a solid tandem with Mason. I really like Khudobin, but there were rumors he could go to the KHL? I was thoroughly impressed by his play this year for Boston. I would be totally comfortable with him and Mason as a tandem.

How does everyone feel about trading Read + Coburn and possibly a draft pick for a top defensemen? I think this is the best package we can put together without supplementing to much of our future. I don't see how any team would NOT want Matt Read given he is still fairly young and comes incredibly cheap for the time being for all he brings to the table. Coburn is as legit a top 4 defender as you can come by in todays NHL. Down half a season or not, he has tremendous value to many clubs.

Does Coburn + Matt Read get us Justin Faulk? Or even Erik Johnson? If it doesnt it should get us damn close.

-Coburn + Read (possibly one more asset) for Erik Johnson (and maybe another asset, Jamie McGinn?)
-Resign Simon Gagne
-Sign Mike Smith, David Steckel, Ryan Jones (if no Jamie McGinn)

Gagner-Giroux-Voracek
Hartnell-Schenn-Simmonds
Talbot-Couterier-Jones/Jamie McGinn (if acquired)
T. McGinn-Steckel-Rinaldo
-Rosehill/Akeson/Laughton (AHL)

Timonen-Schenn
Johnson-Meszaros
Grossman-Gustafson

Mason/Smith

?
- mochoson

You would have a problem trading Read for Bernier? I like Read a lot but with his contract coming up I dont think the Flyers will be able to keep him with others being signed (Giroux, Schenn, Couturier, etc).

His contract is part of the issue. He hasnt lived up to expectations. Can't afford to pay a player that kind of money when your getting average to below average goaltending.
- stveshdy

yes 100% agreed, I just can't say Mason is ready to take on the flyer's 20 years and waiting goalie issues after just 7 games, there is no other option if it backfires & I don't want a 35 year old back up taking over if it does.

You would have a problem trading Read for Bernier? I like Read a lot but with his contract coming up I dont think the Flyers will be able to keep him with others being signed (Giroux, Schenn, Couturier, etc).
- stveshdy

Bernier's contract is up in 28 days or so. Read's contract status shouldn't be much of an issue, if at all.

Bernier's contract is up in 28 days or so. Read's contract status shouldn't be much of an issue, if at all.
- Jsaquella

The Flyers would probably be more likely to spend that same amount of money on a goalie than a forward bc of what they have in the system (my assumption of course). Bernier is also younger and ready to step into a starting role. Just throwing that spin on it but I see what your saying.

yes 100% agreed, I just can't say Mason is ready to take on the flyer's 20 years and waiting goalie issues after just 7 games, there is no other option if it backfires & I don't want a 35 year old back up taking over if it does.
- puckhead17

Dont disagree but Bryzgalov has done nothing to make me believe he can handle it either even with all his experience. If there wasn't a cap I wouldn't be ready to pull the trigger so soon but with a cap he isn't worth the contract when this team can get the same production from another (cheaper) goalie.

no way we trade read for bernier straight up for me i'd only want quick but if we take bernier we need something else back

i don't even see why we need bernier with mason now

Trade Bryzgalov? Wishful thinking. Just shows how awful a contract it is. Not a team in the NHL would touch that contract.
- PLindbergh31

I meant amnesty...sorry, I know he is virtually untradeable.

The Flyers would probably be more likely to spend that same amount of money on a goalie than a forward bc of what they have in the system (my assumption of course). Bernier is also younger and ready to step into a starting role. Just throwing that spin on it but I see what your saying.
- stveshdy

Bernier looks ready to step into a starting role. He's still unproven. Not sure I'd be willing to trade Read for him.

Bernier looks ready to step into a starting role. He's still unproven. Not sure I'd be willing to trade Read for him.
- Jsaquella

Can't argue that. Bernier is still unproven but has done a decent job when given the opportunity to play. The Flyers would have a nice tandom of Mason & Bernier. I just think the Flyers have some young forwards who can play but no real goalie for years to come. They have some in the system but none that are going to be close to playing soon.

Its a tough decision but i wouldnt have an issue with it. I personally would use Read to try and obtain Yandle or Edler first. If that fails than go into another direction like trading for Bernier.

Bernier looks ready to step into a starting role. He's still unproven. Not sure I'd be willing to trade Read for him.
- Jsaquella

my extact thoughts if he flops we just traded another sharp, williams, etc away for matt ellison like player

my extact thoughts if he flops we just traded another sharp, williams, etc away for matt ellison like player
- 2Real

Thats the risk of any trade. What if Bernier turns into a star goalie? It can go either way to be honest.

Interesting take on Bernier from Broad Street Hockey

http://www.broadstreethoc...rnier-kings-flyers-goalie

What do you mean? This guy said "NEVER AGAIN". Good to see the duration of that statement lasted two years. The goaltending situation with this franchise is a farce.


- PLindbergh31

It's a media driven thing usually. It's an easy story and most of the populace tend to be led by the nose instead of taking the time to analyze and learn anyway.

Also the goaltending isn't as bad as you're making it out to be. The reasons for me saying that have been outlined in this very blog. That's not saying it has been something to celebrate either; could be better, could be worse but it's not THE problem with this team. [/img]

Interesting take on Bernier from Broad Street Hockey

http://www.broadstreethoc...rnier-kings-flyers-goalie
- Jsaquella

Good article. Holmgren is known to take risks if he feels it will upgrade the roster.

Thats the risk of any trade. What if Bernier turns into a star goalie? It can go either way to be honest.
- stveshdy

goalies are much more of a head case than forwards are
trading read for bernier straight up is too risky
look at mason... was stellar then just hit the wall

Bernier looks ready to step into a starting role. He's still unproven. Not sure I'd be willing to trade Read for him.
- Jsaquella

I've been wrapping my head around this all day . I'm reluctant to yet again start a season with two unproven goalies. However the pedigree of these unprovens if in fact the flyers made that deal, would be better than say a Boucher leighton tandem. The only thing is, bernier and Mason will get overhyped just as Bryzgalov was and the vicious cycle will start again the once first not-so-hot-streak starts. Theeeeen, eventually if one or both plays well you need to dole out the big bucks, theeeen once they go on a 4-5 game skid the blood will be the water and the sharks will come. Perpetual goalie controversy.

goalies are much more of a head case than forwards are
trading read for bernier straight up is too risky
look at mason... was stellar then just hit the wall
- 2Real

What if Bernier becomes Niemi or Rask? There's no guarantee Read doesn't hit a wall either in his career.

Not sure Read straight up gets the deal done either.

Don't be silly. It's all the defensive systems in front of the goaltenders. Boston's defense was stellar. Pittsburgh had almost zero quality chances against Rask. Bryzgalov would have held the Penguins scoreless in that series. Rask was only able to stop 136 of 138 shots. What a stiff.

So sick of hearing about the defense in front of the goalies. It's such garbage. Watching these playoffs, outside of MAF, and Nabakov, none of these goalies allow any soft goals. And every goaltender faces a bunch of high quality shots every game.
- PLindbergh31

Guess you didn't see the first goal on Quick last night

I've been wrapping my head around this all day . I'm reluctant to yet again start a season with two unproven goalies. However the pedigree of these unprovens if in fact the flyers made that deal, would be better than say a Boucher leighton tandem. The only thing is, bernier and Mason will get overhyped just as Bryzgalov was and the vicious cycle will start again the once first not-so-hot-streak starts. Theeeeen, eventually if one or both plays well you need to dole out the big bucks, theeeen once they go on a 4-5 game skid the blood will be the water and the sharks will come. Perpetual goalie controversy.
- JoeRussomanno

I don't think Bryzgalov would be getting ridiculed if he was better than average to below average since getting here. His contract is a huge issue when dealing in a cap world.

What if Bernier becomes Niemi or Rask? There's no guarantee Read doesn't hit a wall either in his career.

Not sure Read straight up gets the deal done either.
- stveshdy

I find it interesting you equate Rask to niemi. when Rask is waiting to play in the finals and just suffocated the offensive powerhouse from Pittsburgh.

Guess you didn't see the first goal on Quick last night
- KINGKENZO

That was a terrible goal last night. Have to make that save. However, Quick was very good this playoffs again. The Hawks are just the better team at this point.

Mason showed great talent last year. Showed it at times in Columbus, before having his mental game completely destroyed for whatever reason.

The Flyers should know by now they have an inconsistent, distraction prone goaltender in Bryzgalov. The focus should be on Mason.

Does anyone truly believe that having Bryzgalov around will help Mason at all? Or will it just be another distraction or BS environment the kid will have to put up with.

I kind of hate to say this, because I've never really been in the position, but this organization and its decisions are starting to get kind of annoying. Weird for me to even think that. I used to be a lot more into them, but all this BS is kind of making me numb.

I find it interesting you equate Rask to niemi. when Rask is waiting to play in the finals and just suffocated the offensive powerhouse from Pittsburgh.
- JoeRussomanno

Just naming goalies who performed when given an opportunity. Not every goalie falls flat on its face.