For most of the season he actually played well. It was the 7 or 8 bad games that did him in. Goalies will have bad games, even Lundqvist has had about 4 or 5 bad games this year. If Bryz was so liable for that mess why did Homer go out and get two defenseman and not an insurance policy in net? There were goalies available.
- JoeRussomanno

It was far more then 7 or 8 bad games. His SV% was well under .900 for most of the Season. He was below average for over half the Season. Why would he have gone out and gotten another Goalie when he already had two, and made the investment in Bryzgalov that they did? They went out and got the defenseman due to the injury to Pronger. I made this point to you before. If Pronger doesn't get hurt, do they trade for Grossmann and Kubina?

1996 world cup was classic
- aightwebang17

The three WC games in Philly -- the two USA-Canada games but especially game one of the finals (despite Canada winning in OT) and also the Canada-Sweden semifinal game -- were the highest caliber hockey games I've ever witnessed in person. The skill level and pace were even beyond NHL playoff hockey.

I would say at least grossman. Maybe kubina. But not both.

He's a little guy, who plays a hard nosed game. That leads to injuries. I don't especially mind that they traded him, just don't like the trade they made when they did move him.
- Jsaquella

Really saq? Little? I'd hardly call a guy that's 6' and weighs 200 pounds little. Briere is "little" at an exaggerated 5'9" 180. Although I do agree that how Upshall plays with reckless abandon has probably destroyed his body.

who will take the Cup first with no captain? wrong. horrible decision.
- wilsonecho91

huh

1996 world cup was classic
- aightwebang17

One of my most favorite hockey memories.

we need to get 3 or more on 3ormore tonight

I would say at least grossman. Maybe kubina. But not both.
- Deasr1

sign both if they're good

?

He was horrendous. You could see it just by watching him. He had no confidence, wasn't seeing the puck, wasn't moving laterally as well as he is now.
- bradleyc4

He was also deep in the crease. That's the telltale sign for low confidence, like Niemi in SJ right now.

I don't blame him for that loss, but I do blame him for greasing the skids. I think that was mindbogglingly dumb to beat the smaller guy to a bloody pulp in that situation. He created a martyr, not a loser.


You are entitled to your opinion, and thats mine.
- PT21

EXACTLY!

huh
- 2Real

commencing post-Cup argument regarding who got to hold the Cup first as the Flyers are without a Captain.

commencing post-Cup argument regarding who got to hold the Cup first as the Flyers are without a Captain.
- wilsonecho91

Bryz. He makes the most money. Or Briere. Just so JoeR's head asplodes.

Really saq? Little? I'd hardly call a guy that's 6' and weighs 200 pounds little. Briere is "little" at an exaggerated 5'9" 180. Although I do agree that how Upshall plays with reckless abandon has probably destroyed his body.
- aantny88

I'm 6-foot-2. When I stood next to Upshall in some postgame interviews, I noticed I had about four inches of height on him.

It was far more then 7 or 8 bad games. His SV% was well under .900 for most of the Season. He was below average for over half the Season. Why would he have gone out and gotten another Goalie when he already had two, and made the investment in Bryzgalov that they did? They went out and got the defenseman due to the injury to Pronger. I made this point to you before. If Pronger doesn't get hurt, do they trade for Grossmann and Kubina?
- MJL

If they're gonna show reruns of the complaints, I guess you have to show reruns of the facts.

It was far more then 7 or 8 bad games. His SV% was well under .900 for most of the Season. He was below average for over half the Season. Why would he have gone out and gotten another Goalie when he already had two, and made the investment in Bryzgalov that they did? They went out and got the defenseman due to the injury to Pronger. I made this point to you before. If Pronger doesn't get hurt, do they trade for Grossmann and Kubina?
- MJL

7 or 8 bad games can throw your percentage out of whack and they did. Was he average in some games too yes but he above average in others. He would have went out and gotten a goalie in case the team got hot and the goalie wasn't that wouldn't have been setting a trend. Also they had to go out and get Bryzgalov because they werent confident in Bobrovsky yet and still are not. No they wouldn't have had to go out and get those two defenseman but if Pronger doesn't go down we aren't having half the conversation about Bryzgalov's poor play that we did either.

You can't sit here and tell me this team isn't playing improved defensive hockey since the arrival of Grossmann. The Flyers other defenseman minus Coburn and at times MEzaros got run over repeatedly down low and the forwards were not giving enough support. How many times was a goal scored because an opposing forward was left wide open with a perfect angle and plenty of time? Stamkos was left open on two occasions in one game. That equals goal every time I don't care if you have god in net. Also it happend in the Classic with Richards being left all alone so he could slam it home. THat has almost been non existent over the past month. Hence the goaltending has gotten better and the team looks much better. You even said yourself that defense and goaltending are symbiotic so I'm not quite sure why I'm debating this with you.

I'm 6-foot-2. When I stood next to Upshall in some postgame interviews, I noticed I had about four inches of height on him.
- bmeltzer

bet scottie can't grow chops like you, either.

I've listed his numbers in wins and losses several times in here and broke down his games where he allowed 2 or fewer goals. I'm not doing it again but if you go and do it you will see from November to mid December he played really well. Before that he played good the first couple weeks of the season. You want to tell me he looked bad all year fine go ahead and exaggerate. I said from the beginning he wasn't getting all the support you need to give any goalie. Did he play bad at times sure, that's why I said 7 or 8 games where really awful outings by him, I'll even be willing to go up to 10 games. But I'll also tell you even the best of goalies will have at least 5 bad games through the course of a season.
- JoeRussomanno

If you are so adamant to defend Bryz - when he has clearly had his big contract struggles; why not extend the same hand to Briere? They both play for the Flyers.

7 or 8 bad games can throw your percentage out of whack and they did. Was he average in some games too yes but he above average in others. He would have went out and gotten a goalie in case the team got hot and the goalie wasn't that wouldn't have been setting a trend. Also they had to go out and get Bryzgalov because they werent confident in Bobrovsky yet and still are not. No they wouldn't have had to go out and get those two defenseman but if Pronger doesn't go down we aren't having half the conversation about Bryzgalov's poor play that we did either.

You can't sit here and tell me this team isn't playing improved defensive hockey since the arrival of Grossmann. The Flyers other defenseman minus Coburn and at times MEzaros got run over repeatedly down low and the forwards were not giving enough support. How many times was a goal scored because an opposing forward was left wide open with a perfect angle and plenty of time? Stamkos was left open on two occasions in one game. That equals goal every time I don't care if you have god in net. Also it happend in the Classic with Richards being left all alone so he could slam it home. THat has almost been non existent over the past month. Hence the goaltending has gotten better and the team looks much better. You even said yourself that defense and goaltending are symbiotic so I'm not quite sure why I'm debating this with you.
- JoeRussomanno

To say the team defense was bad and Bryzgalov was bad are not mutually exclusive statements.

To say the team defense was bad and Bryzgalov was bad are not mutually exclusive statements.
- BulliesPhan87

Nope. One hand washes the other.

Nope. One hand washes the other.
- Flyskippy

+1

Liking the new avatard, sir

Nope. One hand washes the other.
- Flyskippy

What if you only have one hand? Then which hand washes it?

If you are so adamant to defend Bryz - when he has clearly had his big contract struggles; why not extend the same hand to Briere? They both play for the Flyers.
- BoomGoesTheCoburn

1 Bryz is way early in his contract. Briere is not2. Bryz is doing what he was paid to do Briere is not 3 Briere is a one dimensional forward that is otherwise a complete liabilty when he isn't scoring. Put him on the PK and you might as well pull the goalie also they tried putting him on the wing and it was a complete disaster. At some point can I get more than a guy that shows up 2 months out of the season for that amount of money? I think not only can you get one but two. This is about contract not exactly the player and I've heard all the arguments ad nauseaum and my conclusion is this: contract needs to be moved whenever if ever the possibility materializes.

What if you only have one hand? Then which hand washes it?
- BoomGoesTheCoburn

that's what your feet are for.

1 Bryz is way early in his contract. Briere is not2. Bryz is doing what he was paid to do Briere is not 3 Briere is a one dimensional forward that is otherwise a complete liabilty when he isn't scoring. Put him on the PK and you might as well pull the goalie also they tried putting him on the wing and it was a complete disaster. At some point can I get more than a guy that shows up 2 months out of the season for that amount of money? I think not only can you get one but two. This is about contract not exactly the player and I've heard all the arguments ad nauseaum and my conclusion is this: contract needs to be moved whenever if ever the possibility materializes.
- JoeRussomanno

The thing is, Briere HAS lived up to his contract. He is coming off a career year. Yes, I would love to see him step up his game - as he has clearly had a down season - but to say that he ONLY shows up for the playoffs is false.

Players have down years. One year does not make a contract. Just look at his prior stats. These were all arguments in support of Bryzgalov - when he was lost in the woods. I just don't see why Briere doesn't deserve the same respect, especially when he's done great things for this organization.

I'm 6-foot-2. When I stood next to Upshall in some postgame interviews, I noticed I had about four inches of height on him.
- bmeltzer

Weird... I never really thought about it, but I always pictured you at about 5'6" to 5'8"... Arent most sports reports/analysits/bloggers on the shorter side????