I'd go with Bryz. Absolutely, give him the next few games before going back to Bob.

They need the big guy to get on some kind of roll. He can prove a lot tommorow, I hope he looks at it that way instead of being in a pressure cooker. Believe me, he will have it rougher than anyone in Winnipeg. If he gives up the first goal, or a weak one. Look out.
- flyer_nutter

He was playing fairly well up until he got sick. He's on pace to play 52-53 games, not enough of a workload imo for a guy use to playing 65+ games. He hasn't been able to get into a rhythm but most of that is his own doing not playing well and forcing Laviolette's hand.

The thing with Briere.

He has had seasons where his regular season play is questionable on both ends of the ice. He has always come up big in the playoffs.

If he keeps doing that, I will have little complaints. Danny needs a puck possession guy on his line to do his best work.
- flyer_nutter

I'm surprised things haven't worked with Briere and Voracek.
Jake is a puck possession beast.

Maybe the story is made up. Who knows. Seems like going a long way to make something up to me.

It's one thing to support Bryzgalov, but constantly making excuses for him, and thinking the fans and media are to blame for his ineptitude is simply wrong.

Snider said last year after the revolving goalie crap, and I quote "Never again" well it's 9 months later and it's the same garbage at 3x the price.
- PLindbergh31

Yes, a vitriolic fanbase would never eat up and read and share with their friends a story like that so that the site gets clicks and tons of hits and more readers, etc. We're in the sensationalism age. No one cares about accuracy, from bloggers to journalists. It's all about the money/fame.

Maybe the story is made up. Who knows. Seems like going a long way to make something up to me.

It's one thing to support Bryzgalov, but constantly making excuses for him, and thinking the fans and media are to blame for his ineptitude is simply wrong.

Snider said last year after the revolving goalie crap, and I quote "Never again" well it's 9 months later and it's the same garbage at 3x the price.
- PLindbergh31

Whoa there big man.

Unless you make those excuses you are a blind biased hater. That wants to see Bryzgalov burn in hell and hung by his balls, and Bobrovsky carry the team to dream land.

He has gotten the criticism because of his play. Thats the part people miss. Does his contract add to it? Sure. You can bet Biron would have been blasted the same way if he played as badly. I'm all in favor of getting behind a guy, but Im not going to be afraid to blast him after he poops the bed.

I'm surprised things haven't worked with Briere and Voracek.
Jake is a puck possession beast.
- Marc D

It's been a rough year for Danny all around. However, we all know he has a track record of turning it on when the games are of the utmost importance. It's just about that point in the season now, so I have faith.

What about Briere then.... he hasn't exactly been a model of consistency himself
- fecondo

Briere hasn't had a good year no question. Both of his linemates were taken away from him. Not an excuse, just maybe a reason why he has struggled. I have no doubt when the playoffs come, Briere will show up big. He's nearly a point a game player for the Flyers in the playoffs. That's the definition of consistency.

I see NHL12 trade ideas are still being suggested.

The thing with Briere.

He has had seasons where his regular season play is questionable on both ends of the ice. He has always come up big in the playoffs.

If he keeps doing that, I will have little complaints. Danny needs a puck possesion guy on his line to do his best work.
- flyer_nutter

Right. That i know, just throwing dannys name out there.

Now as improbable as this sounds.... what if bryz goes into the playoffs posts a sub 2.00 gaa and has a couple of shutouts and the flyers win the cup.

Would you be alright with an inconsiatent regular season for the next 8 years as long as he shows up in the playoffs?

Briere hasn't had a good year no question. Both of his linemates were taken away from him. Not an excuse, just maybe a reason why he has struggled. I have no doubt when the playoffs come, Briere will show up big. He's nearly a point a game player for the Flyers in the playoffs. That's the definition of consistency.
- PLindbergh31

59 points in 57 Playoffs Games - that is the definition of a "Big Game Hunter."

He was playing fairly well up until he got sick. He's on pace to play 52-53 games, not enough of a workload imo for a guy use to playing 65+ games. He hasn't been able to get into a rhythm but most of that is his own doing not playing well and forcing Laviolette's hand.
- PLindbergh31

To me he was up an down to start the season. At the first sign of the fans and media getting on him, a poopstorm happened. He has been inconsistent ever since, and hasnt really had a monster game either.

Lava hasnt allowed him to get into a good tempo, a groove. As you say though, its because of his play more than anything else. I still look back at that first game in Winnipeg where Lava protected him. It really went downhill after that.

I'd be all for giving him all of the remaining games.

Right. That i know, just throwing dannys name out there.

Now as improbable as this sounds.... what if bryz goes into the playoffs posts a sub 2.00 gaa and has a couple of shutouts and the flyers win the cup.

Would you be alright with an inconsiatent regular season for the next 8 years as long as he shows up in the playoffs?
- fecondo

A goaltender.

Compared to a 2nd line centre on the team is a little different to me. If Bryzgalov shows up in the playoffs, it will make his regular season seem not as bad. However history suggests other things. For what its worth, Id love for the guy to go on a tear. For his sake as well as the teams.

Yes, a vitriolic fanbase would never eat up and read and share with their friends a story like that so that the site gets clicks and tons of hits and more readers, etc. We're in the sensationalism age. No one cares about accuracy, from bloggers to journalists. It's all about the money/fame.
- Flyskippy

The hoard of media are all out to get Bryzgalov. The fans are carrying torches and pitchforks. Bryzgalov can do one of two things.

1. Succumb to it
2. Grow a set of balls and start stopping the puck

I'm rooting like hell for # 2, but I have my doubts based on what I have seen thus far. 37 starts don't make a 9 year contract, but this partnership is off to a rocky start to say the least. Hopefully the 2 dmen help calm things down a bit, that said there is no defense to preventing the soft goal.

To me he was up an down to start the season. At the first sign of the fans and media getting on him, a poopstorm happened. He has been inconsistent ever since, and hasnt really had a monster game either.

Lava hasnt allowed him to get into a good tempo, a groove. As you say though, its because of his play more than anything else. I still look back at that first game in Winnipeg where Lava protected him. It really went downhill after that.

I'd be all for giving him all of the remaining games.
- flyer_nutter

I wouldnt give him every game... i think somewhere between 16-20 sounds about right

Whoa there big man.

Unless you make those excuses you are a blind biased hater. That wants to see Bryzgalov burn in hell and hung by his balls, and Bobrovsky carry the team to dream land.

He has gotten the criticism because of his play. Thats the part people miss. Does his contract add to it? Sure. You can bet Biron would have been blasted the same way if he played as badly. I'm all in favor of getting behind a guy, but Im not going to be afraid to blast him after he poops the bed.
- flyer_nutter

Big contracts come with lofty expectations. That's the way America works.

I would agree with you Nutter, but I think Bobrovsky has been so bad that he doesn't deserve a start. There isn't a great option right now. I think you have to just leave Bryzgalov in for better or worse right now. Just ride him and see what happens.
- PLindbergh31

Thats exactly what you do. Play the guy you paid to be the guy. He needs a handful of starts. Whatever happens so be it but lets go down with the guy that was suppose to be the number one.

I'm surprised things haven't worked with Briere and Voracek.
Jake is a puck possession beast.
- Marc D

Voracek to me has started to get back to a bit more of a lazy game. He is starting to be more and more guilty of trying to do things mainly off of the transition.

Trying to get by 3 guys on his own. Instead of dumping it in, and using his body, like he has shown he can.

I'd like to see Voracek become more consistent in that department. I dont know if he can do what Leino did for Briere, but he can be better than he is right now.

I know Jagr and Giroux are a good pair, but Id be all for trying Danny with the old man.

59 points in 57 Playoffs Games - that is the definition of a "Big Game Hunter."
- BoomGoesTheCoburn

Wow. He's better than a point per game in the playoffs. No doubt, he shows up when the games mean the most.

The hoard of media are all out to get Bryzgalov. The fans are are carrying torches and pitchforks. Bryzgalov can do one of two things.

1. Succumb to it
2. Grow a set of balls and start stopping the puck

I'm rooting like hell for # 2, but I have my doubts based on what I have seen thus far. 37 starts don't make a 9 year contract, but this partnership is off to a rocky start to say the least. Hopefully the 2 dmen help calm things down a bit, that said there is no defense to preventing the soft goal.
- PLindbergh31

If he can at least cut down one those, thats all I'd want. Ive seen highlights of his in the past where he absolutely steals games. He has the ability.

I see NHL12 trade ideas are still being suggested.
- ob18

sup duane

A goaltender.

Compared to a 2nd line centre on the team is a little different to me. If Bryzgalov shows up in the playoffs, it will make his regular season seem not as bad. However history suggests other things. For what its worth, Id love for the guy to go on a tear. For his sake as well as the teams.
- flyer_nutter

I know the comparison isn't really the same. Just trying to make conversation. I'm all foe him getting on a tear. Mostly so pinocchio won't have anything to complain about then

Thats exactly what you do. Play the guy you paid to be the guy. He needs a handful of starts. Whatever happens so be it but lets go down with the guy that was suppose to be the number one.
- stveshdy

Yup. Bobrovsky has been terrible lately, Bryzgalov shouldn't have to be looking over his shoulder. There is a four game road trip starting tomorrow night, no back to back games, barring Bryzgalov melting down like Chernobyl, I give him all four games.

I liked those A's teams of the early 2000's. They had the Yankees dead to rights in 2000. Should have never lost that series.
- PLindbergh31

Giambi should have slid.

I still don't think Posada tagged him.

If he can at least cut down one those, thats all I'd want. Ive seen highlights of his in the past where he absolutely steals games. He has the ability.
- flyer_nutter

Just expecting him to make the routine saves is setting the bar low, but right now it would be a start.

I know the comparison isn't really the same. Just trying to make conversation. I'm all foe him getting on a tear. Mostly so pinocchio won't have anything to complain about then
- fecondo

The thing is.

As bad as the media guys are. As much as they add to the fire.

Im sure Lundquist, Price, Thomas, Kipper, any Toronto goalie and Luongo would get the same criticism if they played the same as Bryz has.

Some guys just handle the big stage better. As bad as the media and fans haven't given Bryz "peace in his soul" he can fix it all by getting back to what made him a great goaltender. In Anaheim and Phoenix.

Giambi should have slid.

I still don't think Posada tagged him.
- MrBuzzcut

Jeremy Freaking Giambi.... Unreal. He added to the Jeter aura and mystique.