I realized you were being sarcastic, but at the same time, you did have a point with it was about time.
- MJL

He has 4 game winning playoff goals... out of 16 playoff goals.. 1/4 of your goals being game winners is pretty solid.. but he does need to pick up his play when the games really start to matter.

Interesting the Penguins acquired the rights to Vokoun for a 7th rounder
- ob18

Smart decision. Need to give Fleury more rest during the regular season. If I'm Vokoun I wouldnt sign with Pittsburgh unless he doesnt want to start. He has a great chance to win a cup there if hes willing to sit.

what do you think gets him to philly? I'd say it's gonna be something like three roster players, a high pick and a prospect. Could be a huge pill to swallow and we might have to accept that the move could set the team back a year or two.
- JoeRussomanno

If I had my druthers, it would take nothing but $ to get him to Philadelphia. Timonen is off the books next year, there is your cap space. But I doubt the Preds lose him for nothing if they can't get him locked up.

I think it would start at Couturier + #1 and expand from there.

People who throw JVR's name around in trade scenarios are forgetting something, right now he's nothing more than an injury prone, bad contract lottery ticket. He doesn't have much value right now. Flyers would be wise to hold on to him and let him build value.

Not to create a big debate but I think he and the other guy have the talent to be game changers game in and game out, unfortunately....
- JoeRussomanno

I agree.. and they were for a little bit here.. but then something changed.

Could be like Doughty said the other night... the big contract weighs you down.. and makes it hard to have fun.. Having fun brings out the best in guys.

I again disagree. Brodeur is in the cup finals and hasnt been jaw dropping good. Quick is a different story, but that isnt the norm.

You need a team wide commitment to playing two way hockey.. and thats what both teams have done better than anyone else. You do that, and it makes life a lot easier on everyone.. goalie on out..
- jak521

Brodeurs playoff #'s of a 2.00 gaa, and .924 save % indicate he's been extremely good. And for being 40 years old, it's off the charts.

I see Weber signing a huge contract with Nashville. Theres no doubt in my mind that he is comfortable in Nashville and the team is commited to winning. Its fair to say that Nashville has been as good as the Flyers the previous two seasons.
- stveshdy

The guy wants to get paid, and win. Not sure other franchises don't give him a better chance.

If I had my druthers, it would take nothing but $ to get him to Philadelphia. Timonen is off the books next year, there is your cap space. But I doubt the Preds lose him for nothing if they can't get him locked up.

I think it would start at Couturier + #1 and expand from there.

People who throw JVR's name around in trade scenarios are forgetting something, right now he's nothing more than an injury prone, bad contract lottery ticket. He doesn't have much value right now. Flyers would be wise to hold on to him and let him build value.
- PLindbergh31

You really dont think he has much value?

You really dont think he has much value?
- jak521

JVR? Right now how can he? He's coming off an injury plagued season and he doesn't have a cap friendly contract. He's being paid on nothing but potential right now.

I agree.. and they were for a little bit here.. but then something changed.

Could be like Doughty said the other night... the big contract weighs you down.. and makes it hard to have fun.. Having fun brings out the best in guys.
- jak521

again not create debate but all signs indicated they were having fun

The guy wants to get paid, and win. Not sure other franchises don't give him a better chance.
- PLindbergh31

The Preds have made the playoffs seven of the last eight years.

yes

that website has become an atrocity
- Crimsoninja

The website is really mickey mouse – just like this one is with the autoplay ads. Meltzer and reading the posts on these blogs make it worth it though.

JVR? Right now how can he? He's coming off an injury plagued season and he doesn't have a cap friendly contract. He's being paid on nothing but potential right now.
- PLindbergh31

I think smart Teams look past that and at the fact the youngman has talent. Then they have to decide can they as an organization bring it out of him. That's just me.

Brodeurs playoff #'s of a 2.00 gaa, and .924 save % indicate he's been extremely good. And for being 40 years old, it's off the charts.
- PLindbergh31

Looking at stats isnt the way to do it. He has made some fantastic saves.. and he has let in some incredibly weak goals. He has been good.. but he isnt the reason his team is in the cup finals. Hell Bryz was much better than him in their series. The Devils team wide commitment is what is doing it for them. They are being bested by LA right now.. who has an even better team wide commitment.

If Bryz can play at the level he did in the Jersey series... he can easily get the job done. The team around him needs to improve.

The website is really mickey mouse – just like this one is with the autoplay ads. Meltzer and reading the posts on these blogs make it worth it though.
- Pixote Andolini

I got the adblocker thing for firefox and it makes this site a more enjoyable experience

The guy wants to get paid, and win. Not sure other franchises don't give him a better chance.
- PLindbergh31

Thats the key word "other" which means you have to compete for his services. Like I said I would be looking elsewhere because I don't see Weber being a realistic option.

If he become available I think the Flyers would make a play for him. Just dont see it happening imo.

The Preds have made the playoffs seven of the last eight years.
- bradleyc4

And in those seven seasons, what have they won? 2 playoff series? Rinne is the one factor why he might stay.

JVR? Right now how can he? He's coming off an injury plagued season and he doesn't have a cap friendly contract. He's being paid on nothing but potential right now.
- PLindbergh31

Not entirely true. He has shown what he is capable of.. and was on pace for career highs but injuries derailed him.

Everybody kills the guy because he hasnt torn the league apart yet.. however, over his first 3 seasons, he is right on par with other talented big men in the league.

See: Joe Thornton

Looking at stats isnt the way to do it. He has made some fantastic saves.. and he has let in some incredibly weak goals. He has been good.. but he isnt the reason his team is in the cup finals. Hell Bryz was much better than him in their series. The Devils team wide commitment is what is doing it for them. They are being bested by LA right now.. who has an even better team wide commitment.

If Bryz can play at the level he did in the Jersey series... he can easily get the job done. The team around him needs to improve.
- jak521

Bryzgalov allows far too many soft goals for my liking. He has to cut back on them dramatically. Game 1 of the Devils series, the Sykora goal that tied the game was ridiculously soft, and I don't even have to bring up the series clinching goal by Clarkson do I?

Sure the team defense hung him out to dry a fair amount, as well as him making some highlight reel saves, but the soft goals have to stop.

Bryzgalov allows far too many soft goals for my liking. He has to cut back on them dramatically. Game 1 of the Devils series, the Sykora goal that tied the game was ridiculously soft, and I don't even have to bring up the series clinching goal by Clarkson do I?

Sure the team defense hung him out to dry a fair amount, as well as him making some highlight reel saves, but the soft goals have to stop.
- PLindbergh31

Theres no question that Bryzgalov can be better even with his defense being the way it was. Hes much better than what he showed this season imo. Hes being paid to clean up the mistakes by the defense. Is it always his fault of course not but he can be better. The GM stated it perfect "he didnt play as well as I though he would" (not exact quote but close to it).

Bryzgalov allows far too many soft goals for my liking. He has to cut back on them dramatically. Game 1 of the Devils series, the Sykora goal that tied the game was ridiculously soft, and I don't even have to bring up the series clinching goal by Clarkson do I?

Sure the team defense hung him out to dry a fair amount, as well as him making some highlight reel saves, but the soft goals have to stop.
- PLindbergh31

what's your cutoff for soft-goal allowance? Just curious because I've seen even the best let in a handful.

Theres no question that Bryzgalov can be better even with his defense being the way it was. Hes much better than what he showed this season imo. Hes being paid to clean up the mistakes by the defense. Is it always his fault of course not but he can be better. The GM stated it perfect "he didnt play as well as I though he would" (something in those lines).
- stveshdy

Funny thing is, as bad as people want to say he is or was, he's been better than what we've seen since Esche.

Funny thing is, as bad as people want to say he is or was, he's been better than what we've seen since Esche.
- JoeRussomanno

Joe problem is Esche wasn't being paid like Bryzaglov. Money is a factor in a cap world.

what's your cutoff for soft-goal allowance? Just curious because I've seen even the best let in a handful.
- JoeRussomanno

Not sure a number can be put on it Joe. But as we have seen through the years nothing deflates a team more than the goaltender allowing a soft goal. Sure it happens to every goalie, it's the frequency and the times they do happen that are the key.

I will be the first to admit the team defense as a whole has to improve significantly around Bryzgalov, but there is room for him to improve as well. Year 1 is a year to get acclimated to his new team, he gets a pass for his uneven play. Year 2 he has to be better.

Theres no question that Bryzgalov can be better even with his defense being the way it was. Hes much better than what he showed this season imo. Hes being paid to clean up the mistakes by the defense. Is it always his fault of course not but he can be better. The GM stated it perfect "he didnt play as well as I though he would" (not exact quote but close to it).
- stveshdy

Exactly. Year two will be better.

what do you think gets him to philly? I'd say it's gonna be something like three roster players, a high pick and a prospect. Could be a huge pill to swallow and we might have to accept that the move could set the team back a year or two.
- JoeRussomanno

Depends who the roster players are, and if you can address it in FA. For example... (disclaimer. this is not a trade proposal) If the players going the other way are Schenn, Voracek, and Coburn. Could the Flyers not sign players like Konopka, Langenbrunner, and Gill. Cheap players, that fill roles we currently dont have on the team, checking line guys.

Hartnell-Giroux-Jagr
JVR-Briere-Simmonds
Talbot-Couturier-Langenbrunner
Read-Konopka-Wellwood

Sestito, Rinaldo for injury replacements.
Timonen-Weber
Grossmann-Bourdon/Gusteffson
Gill-Meszaros

IMO the above team will become much more sound defensively, both on the forward and defense.