I don't think Bryzgalov's playoff numbers were indicative of his actual play. He kept the Flyers in every game of the NJ series and came up big at key moments in the PIT series.
- NickTheKid87

That's fair. I thought Homer was more critical of Bryz then Ed was. I thought Ed was fair in his assessment. He had a very up and down year. Not terrible like this article suggests: http://www.thehockeynews....yers-playoff-goalies.html

I think it is fair to ask more from Bryz and acknowledge that the hype of Philly got into his head. I thought Ed's comments were classy about Bryz and understanding instead of critical. Maybe I interpreted it differently.

Bill makes a prediction. Mark it down.
- NickTheKid87

Well played, sir

That's fair. I thought Homer was more critical of Bryz then Ed was. I thought Ed was fair in his assessment. He had a very up and down year. Not terrible like this article suggests: http://www.thehockeynews....yers-playoff-goalies.html

I think it is fair to ask more from Bryz and acknowledge that the hype of Philly got into his head. I thought Ed's comments were classy about Bryz and understanding instead of critical. Maybe I interpreted it differently.
- coffee junkie

BTW: I think Bryz doesn't understand why Philly fans are so critical. It has more to do with his paycheck then his play. In a blue color City where average fans can barely afford to buy a ticket it is a slap in the face to be told to take it less serious. Perhaps his cultural difference is at play here. I think the best thing the Flyers can do for him is put a muzzle on him, hire a sports shrink (that is familiar with Russian culture and language), and hire Burke as the Goalie coach if he leaves PHX. Then have the locker room leadership be supportive of their goalie to the end.

That's fair. I thought Homer was more critical of Bryz then Ed was. I thought Ed was fair in his assessment. He had a very up and down year. Not terrible like this article suggests: http://www.thehockeynews....yers-playoff-goalies.html

I think it is fair to ask more from Bryz and acknowledge that the hype of Philly got into his head. I thought Ed's comments were classy about Bryz and understanding instead of critical. Maybe I interpreted it differently.
- coffee junkie

I thought both Snider and Holmgren were fair in their assessments. Bryzgalov had some decent play during his debut season in Philadelphia, but the expectations that come with his name and paygrade were definitely not met overall. He has to be better on a consistent basis moving forward, and I believe he absolutely can be.

BTW: I think Bryz doesn't understand why Philly fans are so critical. It has more to do with his paycheck then his play. In a blue color City where average fans can barely afford to buy a ticket it is a slap in the face to be told to take it less serious. Perhaps his cultural difference is at play here. I think the best thing the Flyers can do for him is put a muzzle on him, hire a sports shrink (that is familiar with Russian culture and language), and hire Burke as the Goalie coach if he leaves PHX. Then have the locker room leadership be supportive of their goalie to the end.
- coffee junkie

He could say he likes to snack on baby pacifiers and sings sea shanties while in net and I wouldn't care. As long as he stops the puck well enough for the Flyers to have a chance to win, I don't care what he does or says. People had fits because Cechmanek was quiet. They loved Biron's personality until the 3rd period of Game 6 in 2009 when he couldn't stop a beachball during the Penguins' comeback.

All this emphasis on his personality shows me that people are more concerned with whom they like or loathe and less about how little they know of the game. That starts with the local press dopes who would rather criticize a player or goalie for his personality than analyze the game.

He could say he likes to snack on baby pacifiers and sings sea shanties while in net and I wouldn't care. As long as he stops the puck well enough for the Flyers to have a chance to win, I don't care what he does or says. People had fits because Cechmanek was quiet. They loved Biron's personality until the 3rd period of Game 6 in 2009 when he couldn't stop a beachball during the Penguins' comeback.

All this emphasis on his personality shows me that people are more concerned with whom they like or loathe and less about how little they know of the game. That starts with the local press dopes who would rather criticize a player or goalie for his personality than analyze the game.
- Flyskippy

I'm going to frame this for future reference!

I'm going to frame this for future reference!
- MJL

+1

He could say he likes to snack on baby pacifiers and sings sea shanties while in net and I wouldn't care. As long as he stops the puck well enough for the Flyers to have a chance to win, I don't care what he does or says. People had fits because Cechmanek was quiet. They loved Biron's personality until the 3rd period of Game 6 in 2009 when he couldn't stop a beachball during the Penguins' comeback.

All this emphasis on his personality shows me that people are more concerned with whom they like or loathe and less about how little they know of the game. That starts with the local press dopes who would rather criticize a player or goalie for his personality than analyze the game.
- Flyskippy

what about his politics?

He could say he likes to snack on baby pacifiers and sings sea shanties while in net and I wouldn't care. As long as he stops the puck well enough for the Flyers to have a chance to win, I don't care what he does or says. People had fits because Cechmanek was quiet. They loved Biron's personality until the 3rd period of Game 6 in 2009 when he couldn't stop a beachball during the Penguins' comeback.

All this emphasis on his personality shows me that people are more concerned with whom they like or loathe and less about how little they know of the game. That starts with the local press dopes who would rather criticize a player or goalie for his personality than analyze the game.
- Flyskippy

I completely agree. But I also agree with Ed that Bryz is a sensitive guy. The more he says crazy things the more negative attention he gets and the more it affects his game. I think the Flyers were and will be wise to shut him up. For his own sake.

what about his politics?
- wilsonecho91

When we win the cup he can snub the president all he wants...and I love Obama!

This is tough, but I think I have to hope the Devils win. I really don't want to see Carter with the cup. I liked Richards, but not ready for him to have the cup. The Flyers need to win it first. I really don't like Carter and would prefer him to not get the cup.

He could say he likes to snack on baby pacifiers and sings sea shanties while in net and I wouldn't care. As long as he stops the puck well enough for the Flyers to have a chance to win, I don't care what he does or says. People had fits because Cechmanek was quiet. They loved Biron's personality until the 3rd period of Game 6 in 2009 when he couldn't stop a beachball during the Penguins' comeback.

All this emphasis on his personality shows me that people are more concerned with whom they like or loathe and less about how little they know of the game. That starts with the local press dopes who would rather criticize a player or goalie for his personality than analyze the game.
- Flyskippy

Stop the puck Bryzgalov and the rest won't matter.

would you trade JvR for Kane? Would either team? Just bored.

would you trade JvR for Kane? Would either team? Just bored.
- wilsonecho91

- Giroux_Is_God

maybe we could throw Bob in to sweeten the pot and he could lead the Hawks to a Cup?

Not terrible like this article suggests: http://www.thehockeynews....yers-playoff-goalies.html
- coffee junkie

That article leaves a lot to be desired. He went only by stats.

Cechmanek was FAR from the worst playoff goalie the team has ever had. What's more fair to say is that he had the worst elimination game performances, and then it would be a lot more accurate.

Robbie Moore? He was only starting because Wayne Stephenson was injured and ineffective, to go along with a red hot stretch during his brief regular season callup. Moore had one rough relief appearance and one start where he got roughed up, and was otherwise OK. http://flyershistory.com/...=Robbie_Moore&season=1979

To me, the worst Flyers playoff goalie was Sean Burke. In his first stint, Burke was awful in the series against Buffalo (as well as being inconsistent down the stretch). In his second stint, he was brought in as a rental to be the playoff starter but got outplayed by Robert Esche to the point where there was no way Hitchcock could justify NOT starting Esche in the 2004 playoffs.

Doug Favell belongs on the list because somewhere because he had a knack for giving up bad goals at the worst possible times and the trade to bring Bernie Parent back was the final major piece in the Flyers' Stanley Cup puzzle.

John Vanbiesbrouck had great numbers in his one playoff series as a starter but the goals he allowed -- specifically three stoppable short-side goals -- were of the backbreaking variety.

I'm not even going to go into Bryzgalov but suffice to say he was shaky in 3 games against Pittsburgh, adequate to solid in the other 3. In the NJ series, he was the biggest reason the Flyers weren't blown out early in Game 1, lost their 1-0 lead long before the third period of Game 2, and had even a fighting chance in Game 4 heading into the third period.

I'm not even going to go into Bryzgalov but suffice to say he was shaky in 3 games against Pittsburgh, adequate to solid in the other 3. In the NJ series, he was the biggest reason the Flyers weren't blown out early in Game 1, lost their 1-0 lead long before the third period of Game 2, and had even a fighting chance in Game 4 heading into the third period.
- bmeltzer

Just want to point out that imo the so-called King, didn't do much better against the Devils when he plays behind a team that is undoubtedly committed to defense.

That's fair. I thought Homer was more critical of Bryz then Ed was. I thought Ed was fair in his assessment. He had a very up and down year. Not terrible like this article suggests: http://www.thehockeynews....yers-playoff-goalies.html

I think it is fair to ask more from Bryz and acknowledge that the hype of Philly got into his head. I thought Ed's comments were classy about Bryz and understanding instead of critical. Maybe I interpreted it differently.
- coffee junkie

That article is a typical example of someone who put way too much stock in the numbers and did not actually see how the goalie played.

Just want to point out that imo the so-called King, didn't do much better against the Devils when he plays behind a team that is undoubtedly committed to defense.
- JoeRussomanno

Bryzgalov's defense is not always on its game and he did make some really great saves during the playoffs. He still needs to improve on his game as he did give up goals on some routine saves. The goalie and defense go hand and hand but if teams just built around defense and that style of play there would be no reason to go out and get a stud goalie. Its almost impossible to play perfect hockey and hes the player that is being paid big bucks to bail them out when mistakes happen (which wont happen all the time). I think Bryz will be better next year but he has work to do himself.

Just want to point out that imo the so-called King, didn't do much better against the Devils when he plays behind a team that is undoubtedly committed to defense.
- JoeRussomanno

The team around Lundqvist was the reason why the Rangers were a pedestrian 10-10 in the playoffs. The inability to score goals was their undoing.

In what world does a goaltender who posts a 1.82 gaa, and a .931 save %, does the team go 10-10? The Rangers world, where Gaborik, Richards, and company couldn't score in a whorehouse with a fistful of hundreds.

- JoeRussomanno

That guy almost looks like the guy who had his face eaten off in Florida.

The team around Lundqvist was the reason why the Rangers were a pedestrian 10-10 in the playoffs. The inability to score goals was their undoing.

In what world does a goaltender who posts a 1.82 gaa, and a .931 save %, does the team go 10-10? The Rangers world, where Gaborik, Richards, and company couldn't score in a whorehouse with a fistful of hundreds.
- PLindbergh31

I'm breaking it down to a specific series by which I can compare Bryzgalov to a generally accepted better/best goaltender because it is the only common opponent they both played.

Now when one is playing behind a team that has almost no commitment to defensive play and performs close or equally against that common opponent as what his superior did, I think thats a testament to Bryzgalov.

As for the reason the Rangers where 10-10 against the 8th,7th and 6th seeded teams, well all I'm gonna say is the king isn't so free from blame. He had his share of meltdowns in the playoffs and just goes to show even the best have their bad days.

That guy almost looks like the guy who had his face eaten off in Florida.
- bird_dog

Looks more like a Hatfield or a McCoy to me.

That guy almost looks like the guy who had his face eaten off in Florida.
- bird_dog

That guy almost looks like the guy who had his face eaten off in Florida.
- bird_dog

Zombie cannibals rule! I wonder how many calories are in a face? Hmmm....