Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Bryzgalov and Bernier

Lots of substance here! Went back and read entire blog a second time. I think the context is exactly right. There may be a problem with Bryzgalov, but Bryzgalov is not he Flyers only problem. You can replace Bryzgalov but not improve as a team if the defense is not upgraded.

Couturier for Yendle? Schenn for J.Bo? Read for Bernier? It could be a very exciting off season. Whatever happens you know that Holmgren will be right in the middle of everything that is going on.

try finding a better defense than blaming it on your fvcking goalie!!?? I mean did you actually believe Luke Schenn was going to be your savior on defense?! Talk about a prospect who has been damaged from being rushed up way too early. Stop blaming the goaltending for all of PHI's woes. Try letting go of Laviolette and go for a defensive minded coach such as Dave Tippet?? System has a lot to do with how a goalie performs.

Bill, do you sleep or do you just hang upside down from the rafters by your toes like a bat until its time to blog?

Excellent and thoughtful blog as usual.

Personally, I find it hard to believe that the Flyers will be willing to eat Bryz's contract, considering it has 6 or 7 years still to run. They'd be on the hook for what? 2/3 of it?

That said, I'd like them to buyout both Bryz and Briere simply because both are being paid (imo) far beyond their contributions to he club, and there are so many holes to be filled, and there just arent as many dollars to go around as in past years.

One thing about buying out Bryz: in doing so, the Flyers might very well be opening up another hole at the goaltending position.

As for what the Flyers will do, none of us know. They do a smashing job of keeping their immediate intentions shrouded.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Bryzgalov and Bernier
- bmeltzer

Excellent writing, Bill.

If it were up to me, I would amnesty Bryz. You said, he hasn't been the problem, but he isnt the soultion either. I think his buyout would be the solution since it would free up cap space that we could use on strengthening D, which in turn would make it easier on whichever goalie we decide to use.

How do people feel about Hiller?

The blog pretty much sums up my take on the entire Bryzgalov situation, except explained in a more coherent way than I ever could. That's why Bill is the best.

I'd just add that I think the whole recapture part of the CBA would also factor heavily in the Flyers amnesty of Bryz, if they choose to go that route. They can say something like, "When we drew up the contract, this contract rule wasn't in existence and we are still happy with the contract as is (as far as money and years). However, in the context of the new CBA (recapture clause), the current structure isn't a deal we'd have made, so we're deciding it's in the best interest of the team to move on from it from a strictly business standpoint." If they do the amnesty, I think it'd be spun somehow like that. And maybe it'd be the honest truth... that it isn't a "hockey" decision more than a longterm cap one.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Bryzgalov and Bernier
- bmeltzer

Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to buy out Bryzgalov. For a short answer, his performance has not matched the commitment the Flyers have made to him, either financially or term.

However, as usual, there's more to consider with Bryzgalov. The play of the team in front of him, the way the coaching staff handled things, his personality and relationships with his teammates and his own desire to remain here all play a part.

The Flyers, as things stand right now, are over $3mm OVER the salary cap for next season. So again we come to the level of play vs the cost. Bryzgalov, despite having stretches of absolute brilliance, has not been worth the cost.

try finding a better defense than blaming it on your fvcking goalie!!?? I mean did you actually believe Luke Schenn was going to be your savior on defense?! Talk about a prospect who has been damaged from being rushed up way too early. Stop blaming the goaltending for all of PHI's woes. Try letting go of Laviolette and go for a defensive minded coach such as Dave Tippet?? System has a lot to do with how a goalie performs.
- Orange Julius

This has been my position since the middle of the season. I feel that the Flyers were very poorly coached this season and that it is the primary reason that the missed the post season.

The defensemen are unspectacular, but they can be a solid group. But not when the coach asks them to be something they are not. The proof is simple. Look at how they played with an AHL caliber defense after Laviolette "simplified" the system.

I don't advocate for a defensive guru, per se, just a coach that can adjust his system to fit what he has on hand. Did the Flyers start 2013 as a serious contender on paper? Probably not. But there's no reason they shouldn't have been a playoff team.

All of that said, Bryzgalov has not played well enough to justify the commitment the Flyers have made to him, financially or in the amount of years. He's not THE problem, but I also have serious doubts that he's the solution.

try finding a better defense than blaming it on your fvcking goalie!!?? I mean did you actually believe Luke Schenn was going to be your savior on defense?! Talk about a prospect who has been damaged from being rushed up way too early. Stop blaming the goaltending for all of PHI's woes. Try letting go of Laviolette and go for a defensive minded coach such as Dave Tippet?? System has a lot to do with how a goalie performs.
- Orange Julius

Go stick with your team, because you're clueless! If a goalie can't stop routine shot's it doesnt matter who the friggin coach is!

Bill, do you sleep or do you just hang upside down from the rafters by your toes like a bat until its time to blog?

Excellent and thoughtful blog as usual.

Personally, I find it hard to believe that the Flyers will be willing to eat Bryz's contract, considering it has 6 or 7 years still to run. They'd be on the hook for what? 2/3 of it?

That said, I'd like them to buyout both Bryz and Briere simply because both are being paid (imo) far beyond their contributions to he club, and there are so many holes to be filled, and there just arent as many dollars to go around as in past years.

One thing about buying out Bryz: in doing so, the Flyers might very well be opening up another hole at the goaltending position.

As for what the Flyers will do, none of us know. They do a smashing job of keeping their immediate intentions shrouded.
- Doc_Sarcasm

And if they keep him, and he flops again, how much of his salary are the flyers going to pay? ALL OF IT! Nobody will trade for him, can't cut him, plus the headaches from him! Get rid of him now!

And if they keep him, and he flops again, how much of his salary are the flyers going to pay? ALL OF IT! Nobody will trade for him, can't cut him, plus the headaches from him! Get rid of him now!
- twpguy

They can keep him another season and still use a compliance buy out on him. The NHL made the compliance buy outs available in 2013 and 2014.

Good post, Bill.

I don't think the team HAS to buyout Bryz for all the reasons mentioned. I think we can all agree; he may not be the problem, but he hasn't exactly helped for all the reasons Bill outlined.

Actually, I think the team could benefit from hanging onto him for one more season. Maybe Mason finds his game in that time. Maybe an alternative crops up that you can pair with Mason.

Either way, I don't think Bryz HAS to go right now. Keeping Bryz another year buys you time.

The only way I'd buy him out now is if a "Godfather" type offer comes in for someone like Couturier or BSchenn that includes a player that is going to fill a major hole in this team and you need Bryz's salary cap space.

Otherwise, simply buying out Briere and keeping status quo in order to see of the young guys can figure it out under Laviolette would be fine by me (at least, until December).

They can keep him another season and still use a compliance buy out on him. The NHL made the compliance buy outs available in 2013 and 2014.
- Jsaquella

Exactly. There is no rush in buying out Bryz. Keeping him one more year buys you time. If he's the same old Bryz, he goes next summer.

I got this nugget from The Pensblog:

These past two playoff years, the Pens have been front and center in two of the most bizarre statistical anomalies we all may ever see.

An alternate theory: The Pens weren't as good as the teams they lost to.

And people talk about Flyers fans seeing things through orange and black lenses. Sheesh.

Exactly. There is no rush in buying out Bryz. Keeping him one more year buys you time. If he's the same old Bryz, he goes next summer.
- johndewar

There's no need to rush, but I'd still buy him out within 49 hours of Bettman handing the Cup to Chara or Toews.

There's no need to rush, but I'd still buy him out within 49 hours of Bettman handing the Cup to Chara or Toews.
- Jsaquella

Can't say I would miss him....it will all depend on what options there are for a replacement......I know it sounds stupid, but one rumor that Bill has probably heard was the VCR one.....where by Kessler and Luongo end up in Philly for Couturier and others.....
I have a feeling he Flyers will go another year with the universe and hope he finally find his comfort zone....just my opinion though.

Exactly. There is no rush in buying out Bryz. Keeping him one more year buys you time. If he's the same old Bryz, he goes next summer.
- johndewar

And what if Bryz plays badly again this season, but then gets injured and is still injured during the compliance buyout period in 2014? Then the Flyers are stuck with his contract till 2020

great thoughts on Bryz, Bill.

Personally, I would be surprised if they don't buy him out. His comments to the media ever since April have been way out there, and it seems like he would be a detriment to the team, rather than a help.

I also agree that he is not the biggest issue of this team. I love the comment about the lack of identity with this team. Look at the two teams in the finals this year. It's obvious everyone on those teams knows what to do, how to play, and there is an overall philosophy from top to bottom. The flyers haven't had an identity like that since I can't remember when. '04?

Can't say I would miss him....it will all depend on what options there are for a replacement......I know it sounds stupid, but one rumor that Bill has probably heard was the VCR one.....where by Kessler and Luongo end up in Philly for Couturier and others.....
I have a feeling he Flyers will go another year with the universe and hope he finally find his comfort zone....just my opinion though.
- landros 2

This is the time of year for stupid rumors.

I wouldn't be pissed if he came back, just personally, I'd do it now. I have little faith in his ability to play up to his contract level in Philadelphia under the current situation.

They can keep him another season and still use a compliance buy out on him. The NHL made the compliance buy outs available in 2013 and 2014.
- Jsaquella

He's simply not worth the headaches he provides. You can get the same goal tending, AT LEAST THAT, from far cheaper and less combative... Buy out Bryz and Briere and be done with it

Buying out Bryz now just magnifies the stupidity of trading Bob (an athletic young goalie who is coming into his own and doesn't have crazy press conferences and who will probably be announced as the Vezina winner next week). Also, if they get rid of him this year that is just that much more money they have to pay him to do nothing. I'm sure he wouldn't be upset to get 20-30 mill to do nothing and leave him free to sign another contract with another team so that he could double dip. Comcast has set him up for life whether or not he plays another game for the team. Bryz is a headache that Holmgren/Snyder brought upon themselves.

I know it's unlikely to ever happen (but so was the salary cap according to the players who said they'd never play under a salary cap under any conditions back when it happened) but i would like to see guaranteed contracts go away and see a system more like the NFL. It's not perfect but it's better than what the NHL has.

A better coached team and a better mix of defensemen will make Bryz look better next year (potentially, assuming Lavi is willing to make the necessary changes) but the Flyers will never play team defense like the Coyotes.

He's simply not worth the headaches he provides. You can get the same goal tending, AT LEAST THAT, from far cheaper and less combative... Buy out Bryz and Briere and be done with it
- twpguy

I don't disagree about the headaches, but the key is how he plays on ice.

I'm not sold on a lot of the options out there, either. I don't expect buying out Bryzgalov to solve any issues, outside of cap room. It's not an automatic thing that they'll go out and get a better option for less money.

The cap recapture rules are worrisome to me.

I don't disagree about the headaches, but the key is how he plays on ice.

I'm not sold on a lot of the options out there, either. I don't expect buying out Bryzgalov to solve any issues, outside of cap room. It's not an automatic thing that they'll go out and get a better option for less money.

The cap recapture rules are worrisome to me.
- Jsaquella

I believe the business side (cap recapture rules) will over ride any decision based on play on the ice. It's one thing to bury a Rathje or Pronger on LTIR, but the worst case scenario with Bryz is a significant chunk of dead salary cap space in future years for a team who will continue to spend to the cap ceiling.

Unfortunately, I just don't see anyway around it.

I believe the business side (cap recapture rules) will over ride any decision based on play on the ice. It's one thing to bury a Rathje or Pronger on LTIR, but the worst case scenario with Bryz is a significant chunk of dead salary cap space in future years for a team who will continue to spend to the cap ceiling.

Unfortunately, I just don't see anyway around it.
- ravishingone

It goes hand in hand, though.

If he was playing at a Vezina caliber, they could risk the cap recapture stuff. In case of an injury or whatever, they could easily Pronger him on LTIR.

The problem is, his level of play has been inconsistent, and pedestrian overall. There's no way you risk that type of cap penalty on pedestrian