No, but that is not the point. Bob played very well in game 1, and for most of the season. Then he had a bad first period in game 2 and never saw the ice again until the final game of the playoffs. To me that is panic.
- MBFlyerfan

Bill's blog the game after gives a little insight into what happened. I hate to beat this to death again, but here it is:

By his own admission, Sergei Bobrovsky has not felt mentally up to par since losing game one. Despite playing will in the team's 1-0 loss, he took the defeat hard (and had to be coaxed to speak afterwards) and then pressed in game two.

Speaking to Philadelphia-based Sovetsky Sport writer Natalia Bragilevskaya (who sometimes serves as his translator), Bobrovsky said after Game 2, "Physically, I feel normal. Mentally, not so much. But I will be OK soon."

Bobrovsky's pledge to bounce right back may have said one thing but his body language said something different. I suspect that Jeff Reese and Peter Laviolette picked up on it, and that figured in why Michael Leighton was chosen to back up Boucher.

I feel for Bobrovsky. He's a 22-year-old kid who still speaks limited English -- making it impossible for him to have a heart-to-heart with Reese or Boucher about the mental aspects of playoff hockey. The NHL season is longer than European seasons (which are now over, including the playoffs) and the Stanley Cup playoff atmosphere is different than the regular season. Bobrovsky entered the series knowing he was looking over his shoulder and would be yanked at the first sign of trouble. Those are pretty tough conditions under which to excel, but Bobrovsky played quite well in the first game.

Over the long haul, Bobrovsky should be fine. In the short term, it cannot help his psyche to have been demoted to third goalie. But the first concern of Laviolette and the team has to be to win. Yes, the rookie goaltender showed resiliency and mental toughness throughout the regular season whenever he had tough games. But if the coaching staff got the sense that Bobrovsky has been mentally "off" the last few days, they really had no choice but to scratch him.

It is only natural for young players, even the most confident and mentally strong ones, to go through times of self-doubt. It's normal to press and try to do a little too much. In Bobrovsky's case, the player has had too much time to be in his own head and dwell on things. Eventually, he should figure out that a bad game -- even in the playoffs -- can be put aside. Will that happen right away? We'll see, but if I were Peter Laviolette, I'd have reservations about turning back to Bobrovsky in this series.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...911/45/35335#.UciUlvbEqkJ

2 years in NA and I'd imagine most goalie prospects don't scream Vezina. Ironically, Mason did.
- feelingkettle

I agree with this. Bob I believe wasn't even expected to win a job with the Flyers but he did to his credit. Bob has had solid games here. He's had some bad ones too. I'm not sure if I'll be sold on Bob being the best goaltender in the league until he does it again ina full season. All eyes will be on him now that he has a Vezina under his belt.

From the Bruins morning skate. Shades of 1988 at the Boston Garden.

Make it so hockey gods.


- PLindbergh31

you want power failure?

you want power failure?
- hammarby31

No. I would like a fog game.

Bill's blog the game after gives a little insight into what happened. I hate to beat this to death again, but here it is:

By his own admission, Sergei Bobrovsky has not felt mentally up to par since losing game one. Despite playing will in the team's 1-0 loss, he took the defeat hard (and had to be coaxed to speak afterwards) and then pressed in game two.

Speaking to Philadelphia-based Sovetsky Sport writer Natalia Bragilevskaya (who sometimes serves as his translator), Bobrovsky said after Game 2, "Physically, I feel normal. Mentally, not so much. But I will be OK soon."

Bobrovsky's pledge to bounce right back may have said one thing but his body language said something different. I suspect that Jeff Reese and Peter Laviolette picked up on it, and that figured in why Michael Leighton was chosen to back up Boucher.

I feel for Bobrovsky. He's a 22-year-old kid who still speaks limited English -- making it impossible for him to have a heart-to-heart with Reese or Boucher about the mental aspects of playoff hockey. The NHL season is longer than European seasons (which are now over, including the playoffs) and the Stanley Cup playoff atmosphere is different than the regular season. Bobrovsky entered the series knowing he was looking over his shoulder and would be yanked at the first sign of trouble. Those are pretty tough conditions under which to excel, but Bobrovsky played quite well in the first game.

Over the long haul, Bobrovsky should be fine. In the short term, it cannot help his psyche to have been demoted to third goalie. But the first concern of Laviolette and the team has to be to win. Yes, the rookie goaltender showed resiliency and mental toughness throughout the regular season whenever he had tough games. But if the coaching staff got the sense that Bobrovsky has been mentally "off" the last few days, they really had no choice but to scratch him.

It is only natural for young players, even the most confident and mentally strong ones, to go through times of self-doubt. It's normal to press and try to do a little too much. In Bobrovsky's case, the player has had too much time to be in his own head and dwell on things. Eventually, he should figure out that a bad game -- even in the playoffs -- can be put aside. Will that happen right away? We'll see, but if I were Peter Laviolette, I'd have reservations about turning back to Bobrovsky in this series.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...911/45/35335#.UciUlvbEqkJ
- feelingkettle

You have to have that mental toughness to make it as a goalie, especially in Philadelphia. I think it's safe to say the Flyers have dealt with a lot of goaltenders and wanted a guy who could be more up to the challenge.

He was given Leighton, Boucher and a rookie who had never played in NA prior to that season... and you're surprised he was left grasping at straws after all three took turns crashing and burning?

Leighton should have never been re-signed before July 1. Bob should have never been rushed into the lineup, no matter how well he played early on.

It was a total organizational failure.
- Tomahawk

Bob played 54 games his rookie season, came away with a 28-13-8 record, and had a save % of .915. Not bad for a kid who never played in NA before, right? Should have earned him a little leeway in the playoffs, right? Certainly nobody can make a reasonable argument as to why he got sent to the Press Box.

I agree, Bob shouldn't have been rushed, but there's no getting away from Lavi screwing that up like a Grand Master of Mismanagement.

I agree with this. Bob I believe wasn't even expected to win a job with the Flyers but he did to his credit. Bob has had solid games here. He's had some bad ones too. I'm not sure if I'll be sold on Bob being the best goaltender in the league until he does it again ina full season. All eyes will be on him now that he has a Vezina under his belt.
- dingo8urbaby

Agreed. Although even if he wasn't going to be the best goalie in the league or something like that, it would've been nice to hang on to him just to have someone waiting in the wings. I know some thought he was an expensive back up, but if they are sticking with Bryz this year (I hope not), Mason would be just as expensive as Bob, I believe. And his track record is more inconsistent over a long period of time.

Hoping someone catches fire just gets tiring to watch after a while.

And if Bob had not beep a surprise, we would've gone with Leighton as our #1. Seriously...what the (frank).

No. I would like a fog game.
- PLindbergh31

i see.

It was only an issue because of how embarrassing the goalie situation has been here for years. Homer and Snider still didn't have to go balls out and (unfortunately) get an "answer" in goal. If they were patient, they could've chalked it up to Bob's first year in NA and admittedly falling apart in the playoffs, and see how he did next year. Sadly, because of the mess the goaltending has been for years, no one in the front office could give it one more year. They were judging things by the past, but they haven't had a goalie prospect like Bob for years, so guess they had no idea what to do with him.
- feelingkettle

Agreed.

I in no way blame Lavi for the Flyers' goalie situation, but do put most of the responsibility on him for the way he handled Bob in the rookie's first playoff series. It was bad.

Agreed.

I in no way blame Lavi for the Flyers' goalie situation, but do put most of the responsibility on him for the way he handled Bob in the rookie's first playoff series. It was bad.
- wolfhounds

Agreed it was bad handling, but it was also a bad situation...with Bob being all over mentally, and Leighton and Boosh waiting in the wings. I also would hope that a mishandling of the goalies for a couple games does not determine the long term future of how a prospect is viewed. You would think the front office would not jump so quickly, but it seems they took the wrong year to decide to finally get "serious" about the goaltending.

Agreed. Although even if he wasn't going to be the best goalie in the league or something like that, it would've been nice to hang on to him just to have someone waiting in the wings. I know some thought he was an expensive back up, but if they are sticking with Bryz this year (I hope not), Mason would be just as expensive as Bob, I believe. And his track record is more inconsistent over a long period of time.

Hoping someone catches fire just gets tiring to watch after a while.

And if Bob had not beep a surprise, we would've gone with Leighton as our #1. Seriously...what the (frank).
- feelingkettle

Take in consideration of what we had once the Flyers entered Bryzgalov's first season. I think once we moved on from Richards and Carter, the real focus went from them to our our defense and goaltending. Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timonen, Brayden Coburn, Matt Carle and Andrej Meszaros makes our D the best in the league. Claude Giroux can easily take over a game by himself. Ilya Bryzgalov is a former Vezina and Hart nominee. Then we sign one of the league's all time best in Jagr (Regular season and playoffs). I thought it was the perfect transition at the time.

I'm not thinking along the lines of replacing bryz with an unsigned free agent goaltender but might there be some unsigned prospects to attempt to sign who could be potential strong NHL goaltenders like Fasth in Anaheim and be had at a low price. It's not like the phantoms are over flowing with NHL prospect goaltenders. I've always been impressed with Benjamin Conz. Thoughts?

Bob played 54 games his rookie season, came away with a 28-13-8 record, and had a save % of .915. Not bad for a kid who never played in NA before, right? Should have earned him a little leeway in the playoffs, right? Certainly nobody can make a reasonable argument as to why he got sent to the Press Box.

I agree, Bob shouldn't have been rushed, but there's no getting away from Lavi screwing that up like a Grand Master of Mismanagement.
- wolfhounds

And what would you have done? Rode out a kid who was obviously at the end of his rope mentally and physically? If he gets repeatedly shellacked, his confidence crushed, is that a more constructive fate than removing him from the pressure entirely?

He wasn't going to catch a second wind and turn into Patrick Roy... that goalie trio was not going to cut it... they would probably have felt compelled to go out and get Bryz anyway.

No. I would like a fog game.
- PLindbergh31

I can dig it

Don't bite my head off, but I just don't see any moves that the Flyers are going to make this summer that would make them a SERIOUS cup contender next year. B. Schenn and Couturier are still 2 to 3 years from hitting their prime, the top end of the D is still weak and they're not getting Weber, OEL, or Pietrangelo without completely gutting their team. Their 3rd and 4th line depth is a bit weak, nor do they have the cap space to address it while still adding the legitimate goal scorer that they could still use in their top 6.

I know most fans and Ed Snider don't want to hear this but we all need some patience. With Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Couturier, both Schenns, Mason, Gustafsson and Laughton all 25 or younger there is no need to rush into anything stupid.

Therefore:
Buy out Bryz
Sign Ray Emery to a 2 year deal
DO NOT trade your first round draft pick for immediate help
Don't blow needed cap dollars on aging free agents.
Let the kids continue to develop
Continue to play the more defensively responsible style that you played down the stretch.

Do all of the above and, as long as they stay relatively healthy, they are back in the playoffs. And, if for some reason they miss the playoffs, they will once again have a top 14 pick in what most scouts feel will be another excellent draft. If Mason doesn't work out, address the goaltending issue next offseason and they could be a REAL contender by 2014-2015.

And what would you have done? Rode out a kid who was obviously at the end of his rope mentally and physically? If he gets repeatedly shellacked, his confidence crushed, is that a more constructive fate than removing him from the pressure entirely?

He wasn't going to catch a second wind and turn into Patrick Roy... that goalie trio was not going to cut it... they would probably have felt compelled to go out and get Bryz anyway.
- Tomahawk

Well put. It's so easy to get upset with the end result but there were no signs of Bob becoming a Vezina winner. None. The Flyers have needed a salution in goal and there just so happen to be one on the open market. Why wouldn't you reach out and grab a chance to finally have a legit number goaltender?

Well put. It's so easy to get upset with the end result but there were no signs of Bob becoming a Vezina winner. None. The Flyers have needed a salution in goal and there just so happen to be one on the open market. Why wouldn't you reach out and grab a chance to finally have a legit number goaltender?
- dingo8urbaby

Personally, I had high hopes for Bob. Wish they hung on to him with the young team they have, but we will see what they do now.

I can dig it
- BulliesPhan87

how goes it?

I absolutely question that statement. There is every reason to question that statement. The fact that people keep saying it is totally incorrect. Absolutely, positively and completely incorrect.

The Flyers replaced the offense and defense that Richards and Carter provided. The Flyers could not replace the defense and transition game that Chris Pronger and Matt Carle provided.

The Flyers offered $110 million to Shea Weber. What does that tell you about what they're missing?
- AllInForFlyers

The did not do so immediately after the trades. I'm just going to agree to disagree.
What if the Flyers attempt to add a goal scoring Winger? What would that tell you about what they're missing? You always look to improve your team.

No. I would like a fog game.
- PLindbergh31

why not, it's been a thrilling series so far. Let's through some elements of mother nature into the pot

how goes it?
- funmaster18

Living the dream (as evidenced by my posting volume during work hours). And ye?

- he doesn't want to just come out and demand a buyout. its bad form and reflects poorly on bryz.

- if vokoun was used as a hedge against bryz in an open negotiation, the results are obvious. no one has to know who the actual target is until it suits the flyers purposes. instead, they locked in and were at the mercy of the agent...like vokoun was at the mercy of a buyers mkt.
- isaiah520

And Bryzgalov's agent, who according to you is making public statements in an attempt to get his client out of Philly, is good form, and doesn't reflect poorly on Bryzgalov?

The results aren't obvious. They Flyers had zero interest in Vokoun. If the Flyers had waited until July 1, that would not guarantee that Bryzgalov's demands would change. The Flyers weren't at the mercy of anyone. They likely had what they were prepared to pay already figured out before even acquiring Bryzgalov.

Living the dream (as evidenced by my posting volume during work hours). And ye?
- BulliesPhan87

Me as well, as evidenced by my lack of posting during work hours lately

Don't bite my head off, but I just don't see any moves that the Flyers are going to make this summer that would make them a SERIOUS cup contender next year. B. Schenn and Couturier are still 2 to 3 years from hitting their prime, the top end of the D is still weak and they're not getting Weber, OEL, or Pietrangelo without completely gutting their team. Their 3rd and 4th line depth is a bit weak, nor do they have the cap space to address it while still adding the legitimate goal scorer that they could still use in their top 6.

I know most fans and Ed Snider don't want to hear this but we all need some patience. With Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Couturier, both Schenns, Mason, Gustafsson and Laughton all 25 or younger there is no need to rush into anything stupid.

Therefore:
Buy out Bryz
Sign Ray Emery to a 2 year deal
DO NOT trade your first round draft pick for immediate help
Don't blow needed cap dollars on aging free agents.
Let the kids continue to develop
Continue to play the more defensively responsible style that you played down the stretch.

Do all of the above and, as long as they stay relatively healthy, they are back in the playoffs. And, if for some reason they miss the playoffs, they will once again have a top 14 pick in what most scouts feel will be another excellent draft. If Mason doesn't work out, address the goaltending issue next offseason and they could be a REAL contender by 2014-2015.
- BiggE

They are not as far off as you think they are. With the additsion of Streit you will notice the defense gets slightly better, but what you will notice is the offense will get much better. Why because our system is based on attack and with D-men like Streit feeding the forwards the puck....

I think you are going to see at least 1-2 more moves. The Flyers need to dump one of Coburn, Meszaros, or Grossmann. If I had money on it I would expect they will be moves to either move up in the draft or get another scoring forward. In which you also might see a move of another forward for a young developing defenseman.

Don't bite my head off, but I just don't see any moves that the Flyers are going to make this summer that would make them a SERIOUS cup contender next year. B. Schenn and Couturier are still 2 to 3 years from hitting their prime, the top end of the D is still weak and they're not getting Weber, OEL, or Pietrangelo without completely gutting their team. Their 3rd and 4th line depth is a bit weak, nor do they have the cap space to address it while still adding the legitimate goal scorer that they could still use in their top 6.

I know most fans and Ed Snider don't want to hear this but we all need some patience. With Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Couturier, both Schenns, Mason, Gustafsson and Laughton all 25 or younger there is no need to rush into anything stupid.

Therefore:
Buy out Bryz
Sign Ray Emery to a 2 year deal
DO NOT trade your first round draft pick for immediate help
Don't blow needed cap dollars on aging free agents.
Let the kids continue to develop
Continue to play the more defensively responsible style that you played down the stretch.

Do all of the above and, as long as they stay relatively healthy, they are back in the playoffs. And, if for some reason they miss the playoffs, they will once again have a top 14 pick in what most scouts feel will be another excellent draft. If Mason doesn't work out, address the goaltending issue next offseason and they could be a REAL contender by 2014-2015.
- BiggE

Homer's 2 loves besides bike riding...35yo players and 2nd round picks