I think that Bryzgalov has had difficulty separating a host of peripheral issues from his own performance on the ice this season.

Apart from mechanics, goaltending is very much psychological, and a successful goalie needs a) to filter the "noise" out of his head (which is much easier to do in lower-pressure markets) and b) have a very short memory when it comes to dwelling on the last game or the last shot.

Right now, Bryz has no confidence, nor does the team have confidence in him. I don't care about the quotes that get uttered. You can see it in the body language.
- bmeltzer

aka Hartnell one timing the puck as it came out of the net following the 3v5 shortie.

It has gotta be infuriating for them.. and really deflating. At the same time, as i said earlier and I dont care who is in net, if you keep having these terribly egregious breakdowns by the team they will eventually end up costing you. I would love to see Bryz make a save on them from time to time, but mishandling pucks at the point has gotta stop... blind no look behind the back through the legs with one hand on the stick passes have gotta stop. Its a recipe for disaster..

aka Hartnell one timing the puck as it came out of the net following the 3v5 shortie.

It has gotta be infuriating for them.. and really deflating. At the same time, as i said earlier and I dont care who is in net, if you keep having these terribly egregious breakdowns by the team they will eventually end up costing you. I would love to see Bryz make a save on them from time to time, but mishandling pucks at the point has gotta stop... blind no look behind the back through the legs with one hand on the stick passes have gotta stop. Its a recipe for disaster..
- jak521

that was "body language" personified

I think that Bryzgalov has had difficulty separating a host of peripheral issues from his own performance on the ice this season.

Apart from mechanics, goaltending is very much psychological, and a successful goalie needs a) to filter the "noise" out of his head (which is much easier to do in lower-pressure markets) and b) have a very short memory when it comes to dwelling on the last game or the last shot.

Right now, Bryz has no confidence, nor does the team have confidence in him. I don't care about the quotes that get uttered. You can see it in the body language.
- bmeltzer

This is starting to bring back memories from last year during the playoffs. Hopefully the Flyers can get this turned around. This season hasnt gone as planned for Bryz but he has the talent to turn it around. If you dont have confidence in yourself, why would anyone believe in you?

I was looking at the 70 regular season games.
- bradleyc4

I was pointing at pressure situations moreso. His numbers as backup there were rather pedestrian

why do people here insist on making the straw man argument that fans are saying its all the goalies fault? you're arguing in fantasy land. what most are saying is that the majority of the issue with the team is the goaltending. how that is apportioned is a matter of opinion...informed or otherwise.

of course it's a team game, but a bad goal by the goalie is going to stand out like a blown save by a closer or the unforced interception by a QB...the spotlight is inherent because of the position of the player. they all have the subsequent deflating effects on their respective teams and repeated incidents of a similar nature create a syndrome that effects a team as long as it keeps reoccurring. these are tough positions, but that's why they make the big bucks and they ALL know this when they sign these contracts...it comes with the territory.

bottom line, bryz has to break thru and I'm rooting for him. if you're one of those rooting against him, I'm with jsaq, at least in this respect - you are an idiot. i always root for my team.
- isaiah520

That's what I was trying to say and failed earlier. People seem to be rooting against him. It seems that a lot of folks sort of relish that he's struggling.

Disagree with your idiot characterization. I was never one to boo the home team but a paying customer is certainly entitled to boo without being considered an idiot. One can make a better argument that once you pay $100 for a ticket and $9.00 dollars for crab fries the idiot ship has already sailed whether you boo or not. I have no ax to gind with Bryz. I wasn't "jealous" over the contract; I was glad he signed because I thought he was the answer. What concerns me about Bryz is his apparent emotional immaturity. While his candor was originally refreshing, especially after watching semi-catatonic interviews from the likes Richards and Carter over the years, he's almost scary to listen to. Now he considers himself the scapegoat? Does the booing help? No. But he really needs to tune it out because the booing is the least of this problems. He needs to get his game back. Making some solid American League saves will go a long way to hushing the boos and if he ever starts to play like the elite goalie he's getting paid to be he'll be loved.
- 2731color

You have the right to boo, certainly. Choosing when to exercise that right is what makes one an idiot.

Bryzgalov has certainly been made a scapegoat by the media. It's been happening all season long. It hasn't helped that his play hasn't been up to snuff, but at the same time, he's gotten criticized for things that he has no control over.

The confidence his team has in him is strained. So is the confidence he has in his team. Look at the two on one goal yesterday. He expected the defenseman to blow the coverage. The goal he allowed to Gaborik was the result of him trying to cover not just the shot, but prevent a cross crease pass.

I'm not saying Bryzgalov has been stellar and the team has just let him down. In fact I have repeatedly stated that if Bryzgalov simply played better 90% of the issues would disappear.

that was "body language" personified
- puckhead17

That 5-on-3 reaction from Hartnell had to be a reaction to giving up a goal on a PK, not Bryz giving up the goal. Other than Timonen, no one on the ice probably noticed it was a soft goal.

This is starting to bring back memories from last year during the playoffs. Hopefully the Flyers can get this turned around. This season hasnt gone as planned for Bryz but he has the talent to turn it around. If you dont have confidence in yourself, why would anyone believe in you?
- stveshdy

Maybe he needs to be wearing ladies underwear under his gear like Nuke LaLoosh in Bull Duram? I see Kimmo as Crash Davis telling him the flower goes in the front.

That 5-on-3 reaction from Hartnell had to be a reaction to giving up a goal on a PK, not Bryz giving up the goal. Other than Timonen, no one on the ice probably noticed it was a soft goal.
- steelydan

So what does Bill mean when he says everyones "body language"?

at this point, I don't care who's in net, they both stank on saturday, I just want to win games, breakdowns will always occur, & yes we we need to start winning as a team, (but saturdays effort was really a tough way to lose leads & then the game).

While I do get that they have to be able to beat whoever is in front of them, I do believe a favorable matchup can help them in a big way. Look at 2010. I firmly believe that first round matchup with the devils really helped them get the ball rolling.

while I HATE the constant trading of draft picks for rentals and the Flyers never being patient with home grown dmen, adding Grossman and Kubina really makes the Flyers 1-7 very solid. i'm holding my breath now tho in hopes they don't trade away any of the kids or first round picks.

Maybe he needs to be wearing ladies underwear under his gear like Nuke LaLoosh in Bull Duram? I see Kimmo as Crash Davis telling him the flower goes in the front.
- Dkos

Rob Murphy, used to pitch for the Reds, did just that. He wore women's undies when he pitched.

Maybe he needs to be wearing ladies underwear under his gear like Nuke LaLoosh in Bull Duram? I see Kimmo as Crash Davis telling him the flower goes in the front.
- Dkos

That, and breathing through his eyelids might just do the trick.

While I do get that they have to be able to beat whoever is in front of them, I do believe a favorable matchup can help them in a big way. Look at 2010. I firmly believe that first round matchup with the devils really helped them get the ball rolling.

while I HATE the constant trading of draft picks for rentals and the Flyers never being patient with home grown dmen, adding Grossman and Kubina really makes the Flyers 1-7 very solid. i'm holding my breath now tho in hopes they don't trade away any of the kids or first round picks.
- nastyflyergirl

I prefer keeping picks, as well, the key is, they still have some picks left. As long as the cupboard isn't bare, they can utilize what's left to add kids.

That, and breathing through his eyelids might just do the trick.
- tangent_man

Damnit, you guys have me wanting to watch Bull Durham.

I prefer keeping picks, as well, the key is, they still have some picks left. As long as the cupboard isn't bare, they can utilize what's left to add kids.
- Jsaquella

Picks? Who needs em? Homer is pulling these guys from beer leagues and getting instant contributions

Dave Isaac @davegisaac

Lines from practice: 19-28-17; 24-48-68; 21-10-93; 27-14-36/45 D: 44-5; 25-13; 41-8

Picks? Who needs em? Homer is pulling these guys from beer leagues and getting instant contributions
- steelydan

The problem with the NCAA FA's like Read and Zolnierczyk is they take up contract slots. For every Matt Read, there's 2 Mike Testwuides.

Dave Isaac @davegisaac

Lines from practice: 19-28-17; 24-48-68; 21-10-93; 27-14-36/45 D: 44-5; 25-13; 41-8
- Jsaquella

I really like that 3rd line.

I prefer keeping picks, as well, the key is, they still have some picks left. As long as the cupboard isn't bare, they can utilize what's left to add kids.
- Jsaquella

From what I'm told is, we need to lose just a bit over 2 million to add a guy like Gaustad and we're at the contract limit. What do you feel is fair value for Gaustad and do we have it to offer the Buffalo Sabers?

In my opinion, if we add Gaustad, we're again as deep as any team. We need a big checking center who can win draws and play on the PK. Someone more defensively responsible up front.

People who rely on scapegoats and brutally boo a guy, no matter what he does, are idiots.

Guy gets a shutout, loses in the shootout and gets booed. The people who booed him are idiots. Philly fans who take pride in booing a guy because he hasn't yet lived up to their expectations are idiots. People who rely on WIP and the Flyers beat writers to form their opinions are idiots.

Here's my question, does booing help? No. It further sends the player a message that no matter what he does, he's not going to be appreciated. I've ripped the national media for years about their attacks on Philadelphia fans. But they were not all wrong.

I'm not saying Bryzgalov has played well. In fact very few people would say they have been happy with his play. Guess what, he's the first one to tell you he has to be better. It's not as if he's made excuses all year. The guy gets blamed for every goal like it's a slow roller through his 5 hole, and it's ridiculous.
- Jsaquella

seriously....I was at the Buffalo game and people were ripping him. he had been playing pretty well then got the flu. First game back and he had an ok first period and it started. even after making 27 or 29 saves people were ripping him. He has been up and down and I get being frustrated but people are to the point of ripping him regardless,

Dave Isaac @davegisaac

Lines from practice: 19-28-17; 24-48-68; 21-10-93; 27-14-36/45 D: 44-5; 25-13; 41-8
- Jsaquella

Interesting line combinations. Simmonds certainly deserves the most but I'm not seeing how Hartnell and Simmonds can be successful together. They both play such a simlar style.

The defensive pairs were a given.

Grossman impressed me the other night. He reminds me of a much bigger and stronger Lasse Kukonen
- jak521

Yes. I likened him to Marcus Ragnarsson but a bigger and stronger Kukkonen is also a good frame of reference.

From what I'm told is, we need to lose just a bit over 2 million to add a guy like Gaustad and we're at the contract limit. What do you feel is fair value for Gaustad and do we have it to offer the Buffalo Sabers?

In my opinion, if we add Gaustad, we're again as deep as any team. We need a big checking center who can win draws and play on the PK. Someone more defensively responsible up front.
- Schenn2shine

They'd need to lose about $1.5mm or so. I think Buffalo would want a 1st rounder or Matt Read to start. So far, the prices haven't been that big, but Gaustad was a key piece in the eyes of Buffalo just a few months ago. I doubt he's available for middling prospects or 3rd rounders.

seriously....I was at the Buffalo game and people were ripping him. he had been playing pretty well then got the flu. First game back and he had an ok first period and it started. even after making 27 or 29 saves people were ripping him. He has been up and down and I get being frustrated but people are to the point of ripping him regardless,
- nastyflyergirl

That's what bothers me. Even when he plays well, people rip him.

Yes. I likened him to Marcus Ragnarsson but a bigger and stronger Kukkonen is also a good frame of reference.
- bmeltzer

Great, somebody we know is gonna run on out and buy a new jersey