He's played 38 NHL games. It's amazing he's never won a Vezina
- Jsaquella

Ben "The Solution" Bishop. I think he's going to finish 2nd in the Vezina voting behind Bobrovsky though.

Team defense has not been great but I also won't let Bryzgalov off the hook either. He hasnt been very good since the beginning of the season.
- stveshdy

40th in the NHL in save % is an embarrassment. The soft goals are a constant again. The 4th goal yesterday was in the net before he even reacted.

He's played 38 NHL games. It's amazing he's never won a Vezina
- Jsaquella

So that means he cant be a starter in the NHL?

40th in the NHL in save % is an embarrassment. The soft goals are a constant again. The 4th goal yesterday was in the net before he even reacted.
- PLindbergh31

Its all team defense. He is the only goalie in the league that has no defense.

So that means he cant be a starter in the NHL?
- stveshdy

Nope, just means people are fitting him for his Hall Of Fame hat a bit early. He's played very well this year. But it's also his first prolonged exposure to NHL shooters.

He definitely could be a long term solution as a team's starter. But, FWIW, Anders Lindback had similar or better stats after his first 38 NHL games.

Nope, just means people are fitting him for his Hall Of Fame hat a bit early. He's played very well this year. But it's also his first prolonged exposure to NHL shooters.

He definitely could be a long term solution as a team's starter. But, FWIW, Anders Lindback had similar or better stats after his first 38 NHL games.
- Jsaquella

Dude...remember that guy Steve Mason?

Damn. What happened to him....?

Dude...remember that guy Steve Mason?

Damn. What happened to him....?
- Giroux_Is_God

He's the Flyers savior now.

So if the Flyers are going to have this type of reckless style, why would they go out and spend a fortune on a goaltender?
- PLindbergh31

Yeah, well that is the 58 million dollar question isn't it?

Yeah, well that is the 58 million dollar question isn't it?
- MBFlyerfan

They expected to have Pronger and Carle, which is a big difference. It's far from just being team defense, though. Bryzgalov needs to play better. I've defended him for almost two years, but he hasn't played well enough

40th in the NHL in save % is an embarrassment. The soft goals are a constant again. The 4th goal yesterday was in the net before he even reacted.
- PLindbergh31

For sure that was a not so good goal. It completely changed the complexion of the game.

Nope, just means people are fitting him for his Hall Of Fame hat a bit early. He's played very well this year. But it's also his first prolonged exposure to NHL shooters.

He definitely could be a long term solution as a team's starter. But, FWIW, Anders Lindback had similar or better stats after his first 38 NHL games.
- Jsaquella

I like Bishop. Not sure were "Hall of Fame" is coming from. I think hes an NHL starting caliber goalie. When given the opportunity hes played well.

I like Bishop. Not sure were "Hall of Fame" is coming from. I think hes an NHL starting caliber goalie. When given the opportunity hes played well.
- stveshdy

Yes, he has. All 38 games worth. People seem to think that he's a proven commodity. Far from it.

They expected to have Pronger and Carle, which is a big difference. It's far from just being team defense, though. Bryzgalov needs to play better. I've defended him for almost two years, but he hasn't played well enough
- Jsaquella

This team with pronger........

This team with pronger........
- Giroux_Is_God

It'd be a lot easier to make Laviolette's system work with Pronger, for sure.

They expected to have Pronger and Carle, which is a big difference. It's far from just being team defense, though. Bryzgalov needs to play better. I've defended him for almost two years, but he hasn't played well enough
- Jsaquella

This I agree with completely.

For sure that was a not so good goal. It completely changed the complexion of the game.
- MBFlyerfan

Well it didn't change the complexion of the game, it was likely over already, but still the save has to be made.

I'm not saying he doesn't get hung out to dry a good amount, he does. But the soft goals have increased a fair amount lately after being cut down early in the season.

I think there is something to the theory that he's been run into the ground, but that's on the GM for not having a backup.

I would play Mason a good amount the remainder of the year, not sure Laviolette will do so because he's probably coaching for his job.

I'm not sure what is going to happen with Bryz being bought out. However, I think it is safe to assume the Flyers want to give Mason the opportunity to be the #1 goalie.

With that being written, I think if Bryz is bought out, Ray Emery is a definite possibility. Obviously, Homer liked him and it was more about him being injured (at the time career threatening) then his play why he wasn't retained. Fast forward to present and Emery is 30, comfortable being in a tandem, but looking for a raise. His cap hit is $1.15 million for this year. It is very possible to sign Emery and Mason for a cap hit of $4.5 million or under.

It should be an interesting summer.

This I agree with completely.
- MBFlyerfan

Really...you can see that I'm not simply blaming one person or one aspect of the team for their struggles.

I'm not sure what is going to happen with Bryz being bought out. However, I think it is safe to assume the Flyers want to give Mason the opportunity to be the #1 goalie.

With that being written, I think if Bryz is bought out, Ray Emery is a definite possibility. Obviously, Homer liked him and it was more about him being injured (at the time career threatening) then his play why he wasn't retained. Fast forward to present and Emery is 30, comfortable being in a tandem, but looking for a raise. His cap hit is $1.15 million for this year. It is very possible to sign Emery and Mason for a cap hit of $4.5 million or under.

It should be an interesting summer.
- ravishingone

It's possible. Holmgren was interested in Emery when he returned for Anaheim. He likes Emery, and his work to even return to the NHL is laudable

Yes, he has. All 38 games worth. People seem to think that he's a proven commodity. Far from it.
- Jsaquella

Hard to be a proven commodity if hes never been given the chance to be a starter.

He is no different than Schneider, Bernier, Lehner, Halak, etc.

I'm not sure what is going to happen with Bryz being bought out. However, I think it is safe to assume the Flyers want to give Mason the opportunity to be the #1 goalie.

With that being written, I think if Bryz is bought out, Ray Emery is a definite possibility. Obviously, Homer liked him and it was more about him being injured (at the time career threatening) then his play why he wasn't retained. Fast forward to present and Emery is 30, comfortable being in a tandem, but looking for a raise. His cap hit is $1.15 million for this year. It is very possible to sign Emery and Mason for a cap hit of $4.5 million or under.

It should be an interesting summer.
- ravishingone

Emery was my #1 option to go after if they were going to move on from Bryz.

Bishop now just gave up another goal.


The "SAVIOR" is human and is not the "SOLUTION" just yet.

It'd be a lot easier to make Laviolette's system work with Pronger, for sure.
- Jsaquella

I expect Holmgren to upgrade the blueline this offseason. I dont think it will be a #1 defenseman b/c no team is giving those types of players up. They need to find guys who fit the style of the coaches system (if hes still here).

I expect Holmgren to upgrade the blueline this offseason. I dont think it will be a #1 defenseman b/c no team is giving those types of players up. They need to find guys who fit the style of the coaches system (if hes still here).
- stveshdy

If I was the GM, on July 1 the only guys I would have penciled in would be Schenn and Timonen. 4 spots should be open.

It's possible. Holmgren was interested in Emery when he returned for Anaheim. He likes Emery, and his work to even return to the NHL is laudable
- Jsaquella

Assuming Mason just proves to be totally inadequate in training camp (shall I use the adjective "Leightonesque"), I would assume to truly get a gage on the guy he would need at least a 25-30 game sample. Not writing Bryz is incapable of splitting that kind of time, Emery has pretty much been in that role the last two years.

I like Bryz and want him to succeed, but if I had to guess I think they buy both Briere and Bryz out this year.