Yes, the Leafs are the team that traded Tuukka Rask for Andrew Raycroft, so they could keep Justin Pogge and they are now the Gold Standard in goalie scouting. Good to know.

I would have been OK if it was just Read for Bernier. More than that is an overpayment. The guy is unproven, with 62 NHL games under his belt. Reimer has played more games and has a better save % than Bernier, and was the number one goalie for a playoff team. All more than Bernier's ever accomplished.

I think Bernier's a good goalie and will be a good goalie, but I'm not 100% sold on him.

As for Halak, he had his playoff run with the Canadiens and played great. He's had ups and downs in St Louis, but he's certainly more accomplished than Bernier.
- Jsaquella

lol

This I do completely agree with. There are other young options out there. That is where their attention should be if making a move for a goalie. I also have to agree with MJL, the deal might have been what we all think and more, but the Kings liked Toronto's deal better. Additionally, someone said that perhaps they didn't add assets here bc they are needed to go elsewhere. That too is completely plausible, but I just felt Bernier would have been a worthwhile pickup.
- Flyers1218

I don't think there is any doubt that the Flyers attempted to acquire Bernier. But we don't know the details. And maybe the Flyers thought the cost was too steep. or whatever. There is a long way to go before next Season.

I don't think there is any doubt that the Flyers attempted to acquire Bernier. But we don't know the details. And maybe the Flyers thought the cost was too steep. or whatever. There is a long way to go before next Season.
- MJL

I'm fine if they decide to go with Mason. Like to see this team go with more youth.

A lot of people involved in hockey believe he's a legitimate #1
- stveshdy

A lot of people in hockey believe he can be a legitimate number one. I'm among them. However, to date, he hasn't proven he can be one.

I agree that Bernier would have been a good addition, but I'm very hesitant to overpay for a goalie. Too often goalies bounce to a new system and struggle.

Coming from LA, where they play solid defense, to Philly where it's organized(somewhat) chaos is a much different task
- Jsaquella

This just ignores the obvious athleticism and quick reflexes of bernier. Any goalie coming to Philly can not be of the Bryz mold where he NEEDS to rely on the defensive system to make up for his lack of athleticism and instinct. jmo.

@tpanotchCSN: Source: TOR sweetened deal with $500K to LA... Kings no interest in Matt Read b/c of UFA status next year.

I don't have a problem with Homer drawing a line in the sand and not trying to outbid the Leafs. I don't know if the Flyers would go with two relatively unknown quantities, but Bill's idea of Anton Khudobin is interesting, not cost any assets in a trade, and would be relatively cheap against the cap allowing flexibility to address other areas on the roster.
- ravishingone

My issue with Khudobin is, that would mean handing the starting job to Mason. Not sure I'm ready to do that.

the flyers are fine. they still have their draft picks, read and all of their young plyrs. no time to panic and fixate. stay flexible and they'll be enuf options that can work.

A lot of people in hockey believe he can be a legitimate number one. I'm among them. However, to date, he hasn't proven he can be one.
- Jsaquella

Hard to get that full opportunity when Quick is playing in front of you. However when given the chance he played well.

@tpanotchCSN: Source: TOR sweetened deal with $500K to LA... Kings no interest in Matt Read b/c of UFA status next year.
- stveshdy

That's what I thought. I've mentioned it here before. We are going to have a hell of a time resigning this guy and he is not worth Leino money (which is what he will want). Just sayin'

This just ignores the obvious athleticism and quick reflexes of bernier. Any goalie coming to Philly can not be of the Bryz mold where he NEEDS to rely on the defensive system to make up for his lack of athleticism and instinct. jmo.
- moylander

I agree. Enough with team defense. Nobody is perfect and you need a goalie who can make big saves.

This just ignores the obvious athleticism and quick reflexes of bernier. Any goalie coming to Philly can not be of the Bryz mold where he NEEDS to rely on the defensive system to make up for his lack of athleticism and instinct. jmo.
- moylander

I agree that Bernier is likely capable of handling it the transition, but there's zero proof. He's played 62 NHL games.

It'd be nice if criticism of a trade didn't equate to disliking the player. I like Bernier, think he's a good goalie with a load of potential. But he's unproven.

I agree. Enough with team defense. Nobody is perfect and you need a goalie who can make big saves.
- stveshdy

Nobody is saying any different. Obviously you need a goalie that can make big stops, whether you're the Flyers, Kings, Bruins or Canucks.

But only a complete and utter (frank)ing moron would ignore the vast differences between the Kings team defense and the Flyers team defense.

My issue with Khudobin is, that would mean handing the starting job to Mason. Not sure I'm ready to do that.
- Jsaquella

I doubt they go the Khudobin route ultimately. At this point, I would rather not give up any assets to have another goaltender with Mason. Ultimately, I think they dabble in the FA goalie market for an established vet to compliment Mason. If they are patient, I believe the Flyers can have a pretty effective goalie tandem for about the cap hit of Bryz's current cap hit.

I agree that Bernier is likely capable of handling it the transition, but there's zero proof. He's played 62 NHL games.

It'd be nice if criticism of a trade didn't equate to disliking the player. I like Bernier, think he's a good goalie with a load of potential. But he's unproven.
- Jsaquella

Bryz was proven and he's been below average here.

I'm fine if they decide to go with Mason. Like to see this team go with more youth.
- stveshdy

I honestly do agree with this. Next year's an 82-game season -- there's no reason to lose perspective right now, feel desperate because the guy with 62 career starts got moved.

I'm not saying the Flyers have to go with Steve Mason or bust -- I'm not saying that, at all.

But you can go 12-15 games with the guy at the start of a season, after a full offseason and preseason of coaching, and see if the seven-game sample from the end of last season means he's got something figured out in his game -- or not.

I know the Flyers' history of goaltenders like everybody else, but one thing that has usually been the case: The goalies have usually come up small in the postseason, not the regular season. Granted, that's a big deal, and I'm not pretending that doesn't matter.

But at the same time, the Flyers' investment in forwards and defense means quite a few goalies can come in and post a .915 goals-against -- it's been done all the time with the Flyers.

To be honest...Ilya Bryzgalov last year was the exception for that, for any number of reasons. But that .900 SVPCT last year...that truly was an aberration for the Flyers, and while it wasn't entirely Bryzgalov's fault, he certainly didn't make enough saves for me to sit here and say that I know he'd do better than Mason, you know?

Bryz was proven and he's been below average here.
- stveshdy

Bryzgalov was proven behind a very solid defensive system. But enough about team defense, right?

@tpanotchCSN: Source: TOR sweetened deal with $500K to LA... Kings no interest in Matt Read b/c of UFA status next year.
- stveshdy

If that's true, then the Flyers really didn't have a player to make the deal, unless they were going to give up Schenn or Couturier. Which they weren't going to do. Both teams have to be a fit to make a deal.

Nobody is saying any different. Obviously you need a goalie that can make big stops, whether you're the Flyers, Kings, Bruins or Canucks.

But only a complete and utter (frank)ing moron would ignore the vast differences between the Kings team defense and the Flyers team defense.
- Jsaquella

Don't disagree. I just think too much is blamed one way or the other. Mason seemed to play pretty well with the same defense that Bryz had. Small sample but it can be done.

Bryzgalov was proven behind a very solid defensive system. But enough about team defense, right?
- Jsaquella

So every good goalie in the league has good team systems?

You have to look at the big picture. La wanted someone that was going to be under their control and affordable. Read doesn't fit that description. Read was the better player but it wouldn't make sense to trade for a one year rental essentially.


EDIT
Not to mention they also wanted another goalie coming back their way AND cap relief. Neither of which we were willing to give them I'm sure.
- Roytastic

I don't agree with any of this. Read at a fantastic cap hit puts him under LA's thumb for a year as they work out an extention like any other player. Read's deal is a one year deal for us now and will be no matter where he plays. As for goaltenders, LA had and still has goaltending options if need be like the rest of the league. LA made a trade today, the Leafs over paid with three pieces and in my opinion those three pieces were nothing special.

Don't disagree. I just think too much is blamed one way or the other. Mason seemed to play pretty well with the same defense that Bryz had. Small sample but it can be done.
- stveshdy

That ignores one very key and vital point. Mason came to the Flyers AFTER the injuries on defense and Laviolette's resulting systemic changes, which simplified things and asked the forwards to be a lot more responsible in their own end.

Granted, even with those adjustments, Mason posted better numbers than Bryz did down the stretch.

But Bryzgalov's work is a moot point for me, because there's no way I wouldn't buy him out this summer, regardless of the defensive issues. The point is, Bernier or whomever, is coming from a different system and will have to adjust.

If that's true, then the Flyers really didn't have a player to make the deal, unless they were going to give up Schenn or Couturier. Which they weren't going to do. Both teams have to be a fit to make a deal.
- MJL

Yup. I can understand why LA wouldn't want Read.

Don't disagree. I just think too much is blamed one way or the other. Mason seemed to play pretty well with the same defense that Bryz had. Small sample but it can be done.
- stveshdy

And if you take some small chunks of games with Bryzgalov, he's had good numbers in certain frames of games. It's over the long haul that matters. I believe Bryzgalov is a good Goalie. I believe Mason is also. But it's not easy to play goal over the long haul when the team in front of you, plays the way the Flyers did. Regardless of who is in net, that has to change.

So every good goalie in the league has good team systems?
- stveshdy

Hmm, let's see where I said that.....Oh, no I didn't. Sorry, I can speak for myself, no need for you to put words in my mouth.

What I said was that Bryzgalov played at a near elite level behind Tippett's tight checking system, where all he needed to do was let the puck hit him