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.
- JoeRussomanno[/img]

My thing with it is there are a lot of other really tough hockey markets. A lot of them.

Bryzgalov has really helped make his whole situation into a circus. No other teams have the kind of off-ice BS. I know the media in Philly is crazy, but its gotten to the point where its as much of a joke as when the Flyers had 3 goaltenders playing in the playoffs.

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.
- flyer_nutter

The fact the Flyers were looking at goaltenders at the deadline in the past two seasons says a lot of what they think of Bryzgalov. Maybe they wanted to upgrade the backup position but I don't believe they feel real confident in his ability. The GM said it last summer he didn't live up to expectations.

My thing with it is there are a lot of other really tough hockey markets. A lot of them.

Bryzgalov has really helped make his whole situation into a circus. No other teams have the kind of off-ice BS. I know the media in Philly is crazy, but its gotten to the point where its as much of a joke as when the Flyers had 3 goaltenders playing in the playoffs.
- flyer_nutter

Don't worry once he's gone the circus will continue, as they say the show must go on.

The fact the Flyers were looking at goaltenders at the deadline in the past two seasons says a lot of what they think of Bryzgalov. Maybe they wanted to upgrade the backup position but I don't believe they feel real confident in his ability. The GM said it last summer he didn't live up to expectations.
- stveshdy

Its just weird to me.

Kind of a sad place for me, as a fan. All of the BS frankly ever since the whole twin towers D experiment with Hatcher and Rathje have made me a little numb to this team.

I will openly admit that while I am still a fan, I am not the crazy diehard I once was. A lot of us, the younger crew, do not have those glory years to look back on. This organization needs to get its poop together, because to me, they are looking more and more like headless chickens.

Sucks to say, but it is what it is. A nutters thoughts.

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

Read has a great cap hit and strong work ethic. He should be fine. Bernier hasn't been proven to be a starter for long periods of time.

Its just weird to me.

Kind of a sad place for me, as a fan. All of the BS frankly ever since the whole twin towers D experiment with Hatcher and Rathje have made me a little numb to this team.

I will openly admit that while I am still a fan, I am not the crazy diehard I once was. A lot of us, the younger crew, do not have those glory years to look back on. This organization needs to get its poop together, because to me, they are looking more and more like headless chickens.

Sucks to say, but it is what it is. A nutters thoughts.
- flyer_nutter

I think the team/organization is heading in the right direction. Building through their younger core. Be nice to have a goalie grow with that core (Mason, etc.). We just have to stay patient even though the fans have for years now.

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

I have to apologize, I have a headache and I'm waiting for my daughter to audition for a play so there's a bunch of teenagers in this room making it worse... I confused niemi with nittymaki, serious (frank)ing brain fart on my part dude.

Read has a great cap hit and strong work ethic. He should be fine. Bernier hasn't been proven to be a starter for long periods of time.
- 2Real

Read's cap number isn't going to be a bargain anymore after this year. I love the kid and I agree he should be fine. I wouldn't be disappointed if he was traded to get Bernier though. I prefer they use him to get Yandle or Edler but I can understand the move for Bernier if they buyout Bryz.

I have to apologize, I have a headache and I'm waiting for my daughter to audition for a play so there's a bunch of teenagers in this room making it worse... I confused niemi with nittymaki, serious (frank)ing brain fart on my part dude.
- JoeRussomanno

Its cool.

Don't worry once he's gone the circus will continue, as they say the show must go on.
- JoeRussomanno

Thats the weird thing isn't it.

I would much rather just keep the system, or the identity the coach preaches, yet management apparently doesnt believe in anymore. Keep Mason, and sign a guy like Emery or Backstrom to mentor him for a little while. If its possible to make a good deal for Hiller, or have a bought out Luongo come in, I'd like that too.

The other option which I dont like is to bring in another young goaltender like Bernier, and have two guys basically looking over their shoulder any time they make a mistake, with little experience, and no veteran mentor.

As much as I like an aggressive hockey identity that Lava preaches, if the Flyers decide to roll with Bernier and Mason, I think they might as well just try and polish a turd into a diamond.

I dont know why the hell they are panicking, even though the key is its just rumors. Do the easy thing, and find a mentor for Mason. Shore up the D, and try and increase the toughness/size on offense. Easy plan.

Either way, I dont think there is a rats ass chance Bryzgalov is here long term. Cut ties with him now, and bring in a more supportive guy for Mason.

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

Luongo and Schneider can't do jack in the playoffs

Read's cap number isn't going to be a bargain anymore after this year. I love the kid and I agree he should be fine. I wouldn't be disappointed if he was traded to get Bernier though. I prefer they use him to get Yandle or Edler but I can understand the move for Bernier if they buyout Bryz.
- stveshdy

why not just make bryz the back up for one more season and use read for a proven d man?

I think the team/organization is heading in the right direction. Building through their younger core. Be nice to have a goalie grow with that core (Mason, etc.). We just have to stay patient even though the fans have for years now.
- stveshdy

I have zero faith in any of that. Zero.

We will see, and I know we all have our own thoughts, but I personally dont see them going in any real direction, let alone the right one.

For me personally, a weird time to be a fan. Too much BS, from top to bottom.

Read's cap number isn't going to be a bargain anymore after this year. I love the kid and I agree he should be fine. I wouldn't be disappointed if he was traded to get Bernier though. I prefer they use him to get Yandle or Edler but I can understand the move for Bernier if they buyout Bryz.
- stveshdy

Really an interesting an article from Broad Street Hockey about Bernier. I would think Read will get between $3.5-$4.5 million/yr on an extension. If the Flyers move other forward pieces it makes sense, but the question is will they?

Plus, we all know the Flyers will draft a forward in the first round this year and there is a decent chance he might make the roster this year.

Luongo and Schneider can't do jack in the playoffs
- 2Real

Getting to game 7 of the finals isn't at least jack?

Looks like the annual Trial On The Isle will have a new twist this year

http://www.flyersnation.n...-the-beach-july-10th.html

why not just make bryz the back up for one more season and use read for a proven d man?
- 2Real

Really going to keep Bryz around at that cost for back up? You think he would be happy? Why risk the injury and be stuck with a mediocre goalie? The Flyers should just cut ties and move on.

why not just make bryz the back up for one more season and use read for a proven d man?
- 2Real

Good point, and I'll jump in here.

For me it has to do with Mason. I pray to god that the organization doesnt hold out some kind of magical beans hope that Bryzgalov will be here till the end of his contract.

I'd want a guy a little more supportive in here for Mason, or a guy at the very least that wont make the goaltending environment even tougher than it is, or needs to be.

Really an interesting an article from Broad Street Hockey about Bernier. I would think Read will get between $3.5-$4.5 million/yr on an extension. If the Flyers move other forward pieces it makes sense, but the question is will they?

Plus, we all know the Flyers will draft a forward in the first round this year and there is a decent chance he might make the roster this year.
- ravishingone

Even if Bernier fails like the article suggest he would still hold trade value bc of his contract/age. Bryz is untradeable at this point. Flyers should move on imo.

Really going to keep Bryz around at that cost for back up? You think he would be happy? Why risk the injury and be stuck with a mediocre goalie? The Flyers should just cut ties and move on.
- stveshdy

i could give 2 craps is he's happy or not and he's only there for 1 more season while we retool and see how the dozens of goalies we signed for the minors work out also buy another year for mason to see if he can regain form

Getting to game 7 of the finals isn't at least jack?
- JoeRussomanno

My one thing with Luongo, is he went through a lot of BS in Vancouver also.

He handled it with class, and was very supportive to Cory. He had probably more pressure on himself with the "C", and in the finals than Bryzgalov ever has had.

Luongo came a bit undone near the end of this season, but it wasn't anywhere close to the level of Bryzgalov. Luongo wont be some superstar, but to me he has shown a much better ability to handle the BS of a tough market, while being supportive of his team, and helping to minimize the distractions.

Getting to game 7 of the finals isn't at least jack?
- JoeRussomanno

sorry i must have missed the fact they were rotating goalies every other game cause of soft goals and inability to stop a beachball

I have zero faith in any of that. Zero.

We will see, and I know we all have our own thoughts, but I personally dont see them going in any real direction, let alone the right one.

For me personally, a weird time to be a fan. Too much BS, from top to bottom.
- flyer_nutter

It's not like they're the Florida panthers. They've missed the playoffs like 6 times in 40 years and made it to the finals an equal amount of times. Some very bad luck like losing two hall of fame goalies to either injury or fatal car crash hasn't helped. One thing is for certain the flyers don't take we'll to losing, so whatever's being said publicly you better be damn sure they're burning midnight oil by the barrel to get it right.

Really going to keep Bryz around at that cost for back up? You think he would be happy? Why risk the injury and be stuck with a mediocre goalie? The Flyers should just cut ties and move on.
- stveshdy

it's a 1 year stop gap who cares? who are we going to use that cap space for this off season?

Even if Bernier fails like the article suggest he would still hold trade value bc of his contract/age. Bryz is untradeable at this point. Flyers should move on imo.
- stveshdy

Considering Bernier will turn 25 in August, certainly he is an unknown quantity. Certainly can't fault him for not beating out a Stanley Cup winning goalie, sort of like that guy Tuuka Rask who was stuck behind Tim Thomas.

I would be shocked if Bryz and Luongo would ever be traded to another team with those contracts.