As A Sabres fan, I pay attention to the teams that I hate the most; Philly, Boston, Toronto, etc. I often finding myself tuning into their games on Center Ice each night, just to see how they're playing.

I have to say that the Richards and Carter trades look better and better each day, especially given the fact that they've been duds for their new teams this season.

Did you guys think that Simmonds would look this good? I knew he was tough, but I didn't think he had the scoring tough that he's shown. He looks like he is more than capable to taking over for Hartnell full-time once he leaves and is sooo much tougher IMO.

Schenn looks like Richards did his rookie year; the style that they play is so similar it's scary.

Couturier is going to be a future star in the league and has all the makings of a future captain IMO. He's sound defensively, can score and hit too. For a 19 year-old he doesn't look out of place at all.

Voracek was the big question mark, IMO, but from what I can see, he's on pace to match his career averages and seems to be solid on most nights. I keep forgetting that he's only 22, so I think he's still got a lot of upside. I would like to see him throw his huge frame around a bit more though.

I know the team is struggling just a bit lately, but I think when you look at it it's really a team in transition. Timmonen, Pronger, Briere, Hartnell and probably Jagr will be gone soon, so it's now or never for this group of guys. That being said, once those guys are gone, I think the future looks extremely bright for Philly...unfortunately Plus, I still think you guys will somehow land Shea Weber and you've got the assets to do so. How about a package of Coburn, Cooter or Schenn and a 1st for Weber or something like that? JVR would bring a good return as well and it sounds like he may be on the move once he's healthy again.

Anyway, just an outsiders view on things...

Meh... I'm not really worried about what the players say. Has little to no effect what happens on the ice.
- PLindbergh31

Depends who says it and what he says.

Now this board is gonna blow up with— We gotta trade for Semin, I saw this rumor for semin etc etc. /facepalm.
- JoeRussomanno

Doesn't even make sense...We need help on D.

Now this board is gonna blow up with— We gotta trade for Semin, I saw this rumor for semin etc etc. /facepalm.
- JoeRussomanno

Doesn't even make sense...We need help on D.

Why wouldn't Bryz deserve a start? He did have a shutout in his last appearance.
- JoeRussomanno

17 saves? Is that what 5.6 million dollars gets you nowadays?

I'm not saying he wasnt good. If you don't count a gimmick ending to a game like the shootout, he was perfect. But 17 saves is hardly worthy of a guaranteed start over Bob.

Bob has been pretty consistant all season. Not to mention, Bryz wasn't exactly "stellar" in his start prior to the NYI vs. the Rangers.

Bob should go today, imo.

Doesn't even make sense...We need help on D.
- Hextall271

Neither do a lot of the other rumors I hear but they circulate like herpes.

17 saves? Is that what 5.6 million dollars gets you nowadays?

I'm not saying he wasnt good. If you don't count a gimmick ending to a game like the shootout, he was perfect. But 17 saves is hardly worthy of a guaranteed start over Bob.

Bob has been pretty consistant all season. Not to mention, Bryz wasn't exactly "stellar" in his start prior to the NYI vs. the Rangers.

Bob should go today, imo.
- mochoson

The number of saves doesn't matter. It doesn't change that by not giving up a single goal in the game, he's earned another start. If Bryzgalov is healthy and ready to go, he get's the nod I think. But I'd have no problem with Bobrovsky playing.

I just wish Flyer nation would realize, trades, finger pointing etc are not what needs to be done right now. It's about this team to a man playing within the system— that's what I got out of Kimmo's remarks yesterday. This is as good a Flyer roster as I have seen in a long time. There's no awful players, fakers or bums on this team as it sits. It's a bunch of guys that need to buy into the system and stop trying to do too much. Stevens, Nierdermayer, and Daneyko they bought into their roles/system. Do we have those type of players right now- i'm not sure. But we have a group of guys with plenty of ability. However to me the difference between them and the rangers is the Rangers play the system and let the chips fall where they may.
If the Flyers could eliminate just leaving the other team's sniper all alone to the goalie's back side then they could have won two games right now against the rangers. The classic and yesterday are perfect examples. That one simple nuance is what makes this a 5-0 series imo anyway.
- JoeRussomanno

You made me think of the 2004 Flyers. They didn't have the rookies, they were veterans, and it was reported that the team didn't like Hitchcock or his system but Primeau was the conduit between the coach and the team. They really jelled as a group. They did it with Robert Esche and depleted defense, Vladamir Malakhov, a late season pickup was playing close to 30 minutes a game. They probably could have beaten Calgary if they got in the Finals.

here come the rebuilding excuses
- 2Real

Not excuses just reality-- look at who they lost due to injuries and they have had a lot of rookies play important roles. I thought when the playoffs came around, they'd be anywhere from a 6th-8th seed. They are usually out one top 6 forward, have 2 rookie defenseman-- one replacing Pronger and an inconsistent goalie.

17 saves? Is that what 5.6 million dollars gets you nowadays?

I'm not saying he wasnt good. If you don't count a gimmick ending to a game like the shootout, he was perfect. But 17 saves is hardly worthy of a guaranteed start over Bob.

Bob has been pretty consistant all season. Not to mention, Bryz wasn't exactly "stellar" in his start prior to the NYI vs. the Rangers.

Bob should go today, imo.
- mochoson

We've got time to decide what to do with Bobo. I wouldn't consider moving him until Breeze gets his legs back under him, though.

Now if a team calls and makes me an offer I can't refuse

17 saves? Is that what 5.6 million dollars gets you nowadays?

I'm not saying he wasnt good. If you don't count a gimmick ending to a game like the shootout, he was perfect. But 17 saves is hardly worthy of a guaranteed start over Bob.

Bob has been pretty consistant all season. Not to mention, Bryz wasn't exactly "stellar" in his start prior to the NYI vs. the Rangers.

Bob should go today, imo.
- mochoson

Was it a shutout or not? Lundqvist gave up 2 more goals on 9 more shots than Bryzgalov's 17 save so yesterday I guess that's what 6.8 million gets you.

The number of saves doesn't matter. It doesn't change that by not giving up a single goal in the game, he's earned another start. If Bryzgalov is healthy and ready to go, he get's the nod I think. But I'd have no problem with Bobrovsky playing.
- MJL

I agree to an extent. I think Bryz will start thursday against the Sabres though.

No need to rush him into the net when Bob's looked good. If he's been sick, give the guy the rest of the week to be 110%. No reason why Bryz shouldn't be ready to go Thursday.

I agree to an extent. I think Bryz will start thursday against the Sabres though.

No need to rush him into the net when Bob's looked good. If he's been sick, give the guy the rest of the week to be 110%. No reason why Bryz shouldn't be ready to go Thursday.
- mochoson

You made the statement, "17 saves? Is that what 5.6 million dollars gets you nowadays?". Can Bryzgalov control the number of shots the other team get's on net? Is it his fault that they only had 17 shots? What can he control?

Was it a shutout or not? Lundqvist gave up 2 more goals on 7 more shots than Bryzgalov's 17 save so yesterday I guess that's what 6.8 million gets you.
- JoeRussomanno

6.8 million dollars gets you the league leader in save percentage, a GAA under 2 (2nd in the league behind only Elliot, whos played 26 games to Hanks 40), tied for the league lead in shut-outs, 4th in the league in wins, etc.

Thats what 6.8 million dollars gets you.

Was it a shutout or not? Lundqvist gave up 2 more goals on 7 more shots than Bryzgalov's 17 save so yesterday I guess that's what 6.8 million gets you.
- JoeRussomanno

6.8 million dollars gets you the league leader in save percentage, a GAA under 2 (2nd in the league behind only Elliot, whos played 26 games to Hanks 40), tied for the league lead in shut-outs, 4th in the league in wins, etc.

Thats what 6.8 million dollars gets you.

You made the statement, "17 saves? Is that what 5.6 million dollars gets you nowadays?". Can Bryzgalov control the number of shots the other team get's on net? Is it his fault that they only had 17 shots? What can he control?
- MJL

Apparently he can control JVR banging his head against the wall to fake concussions from what i read here sometimes.

Was it a shutout or not? Lundqvist gave up 2 more goals on 9 more shots than Bryzgalov's 17 save so yesterday I guess that's what 6.8 million gets you.
- JoeRussomanno

Both got a shutout.

6.8 million dollars gets you the league leader in save percentage, a GAA under 2 (2nd in the league behind only Elliot, whos played 26 games to Hanks 40), tied for the league lead in shut-outs, 4th in the league in wins, etc.

Thats what 6.8 million dollars gets you.
- mochoson

How many years has he been that and opposed to how many years he's been paid that? You brought up the amount of shots in a game, let's stay in the context of the feeble argument shall we.

Both got a shutout.
- 77rams

Huh?

Huh?
- JoeRussomanno

Both goaltenders get credited with a shutout.

6.8 million dollars gets you the league leader in save percentage, a GAA under 2 (2nd in the league behind only Elliot, whos played 26 games to Hanks 40), tied for the league lead in shut-outs, 4th in the league in wins, etc.

Thats what 6.8 million dollars gets you.
- mochoson

Ah, then solution is obvious: we need to give Bryzgalov a raise

You made the statement, "17 saves? Is that what 5.6 million dollars gets you nowadays?". Can Bryzgalov control the number of shots the other team get's on net? Is it his fault that they only had 17 shots? What can he control?
- MJL

The number of saves and shots is honestly irrelevant.

If Bryz has been sick the past few days, I don't want him going into the net. Period. Its not at all the point. Bryz could have had a 50 save shut-out. If he's had the flu, I want him 110%.

I severely doubt he's ready to go. I dont want Bryz at 50% playing behind a team whose probably at around 70% having played as many games as they have in a short span.

Bob is more then capable of handling one more start. Bryz starting today is a mistake IMO, especially against a team he's played terrible against his entire career even when 110%.

Ah, then solution is obvious: we need to give Bryzgalov a raise
- BulliesPhan87

Exactly!

Sometimes I really wonder about this place.

Apparently he can control JVR banging his head against the wall to fake concussions from what i read here sometimes.
- JoeRussomanno

It's true! That's the power of russian voodoo

Both goaltenders get credited with a shutout.
- 77rams

Im not talking about Nabokov