He's got that star-studded defense in front of him.

But seriously, as much as I wanted them to roll with Bob and a cheap vet 2 years ago, it's still too early to anoint him as the next big thing.

40 games does not make you the next Hasek.

Goaltenders can ride hot streaks for full seasons and then regress to league average or worse. He needs to continue to improve his game and remain consistent in his performances.

But he's been lights out this year and is deserving of both Vezina and Hart trophy nominations.
- bradleyc4

All of this is why I'm not really worked up about Bob not being on the team anymore.

Good for him. He's having a fantastic year.

Let's see if he can sustain it.

If he does, then we can all line up with pitch forks and torches outside of Homer's door.

On Bryz, I think the ability for a goalie to effectively play the puck and move it up ice is a huge weapon. Bryz does not have those skills.

With how poor the Flyers breakouts from their zone has been, it is magnified even more.

Watching Mason it becomes even more apparent.

I see this as a flaw in Bryz's game. It is not a deal breaker, but just another thing.
I would think the ability to play the puck is an aspect a top goalie should have.
Especially the way teams forecheck these days.

I think you guys dwell too much on this early retirement thing. How many players retire early anymore without injury? Off the top of my head I can't think of any. Even pronger hasn't come out and retired officially.
- JoeRussomanno

Yeah but Bryz's contract runs into his mid 40's (I believe). And I have 0 faith that he won't retire early as he's a hard guy to read since the media has their panties in a twist about him and he's constantly defending himself.
It's a trust issue and most fans just don't trust Bryz.
I'm on the fence with him and I won't lie... I won't cry if he's back or if he goes, I can see advantages both directions.

He's got that star-studded defense in front of him.

But seriously, as much as I wanted them to roll with Bob and a cheap vet 2 years ago, it's still too early to anoint him as the next big thing.

40 games does not make you the next Hasek.

Goaltenders can ride hot streaks for full seasons and then regress to league average or worse. He needs to continue to improve his game and remain consistent in his performances.

But he's been lights out this year and is deserving of both Vezina and Hart trophy nominations.
- bradleyc4

Jim Carey, Trevor Kidd, Blaine Lacher, Steve Penney... The list of one-hit wonders in net is not short.

On Bryz, I think the ability for a goalie to effectively play the puck and move it up ice is a huge weapon. Bryz does not have those skills.

With how poor the Flyers breakouts from their zone has been, it is magnified even more.

Watching Mason it becomes even more apparent.

I see this as a flaw in Bryz's game. It is not a deal breaker, but just another thing.
I would think the ability to play the puck is an aspect a top goalie should have.
Especially the way teams forecheck these days.
- Marc D

It's definitely an issue for bryzgalov to address going forward. His puckhanfling is not the best.

We heard how great mike smith was last year when he replaced bryzgalov. then this year he regressed. I think the bob we are seeing is the real deal but let's see him do it for a couple seasons first.
- JoeRussomanno

Mike Smith was a product of the system - or so we heard last year while Bryz was maligned here.

It's definitely an issue for bryzgalov to address going forward. His puckhanfling is not the best.
- JoeRussomanno

Wouldn't be an issue if he'd cover it and then we could win a D-zone draw.

Pretty much my sentiment. Thanks for your service, Danny, but this is business. Also, thanks for not being Drury or Gomez.
- Flyskippy

The Flyers really picked the best one of those three.

Jim Carey, Trevor Kidd, Blaine Lacher, Steve Penney... The list of one-hit wonders in net is not short.
- Flyskippy

Steve Mason

On Bryz, I think the ability for a goalie to effectively play the puck and move it up ice is a huge weapon. Bryz does not have those skills.

With how poor the Flyers breakouts from their zone has been, it is magnified even more.

Watching Mason it becomes even more apparent.

I see this as a flaw in Bryz's game. It is not a deal breaker, but just another thing.
I would think the ability to play the puck is an aspect a top goalie should have.
Especially the way teams forecheck these days.
- Marc D

I agree that Mason isn't the 2nd coming. But damn it's hot when he plays the puck.

All of this is why I'm not really worked up about Bob not being on the team anymore.

Good for him. He's having a fantastic year.

Let's see if he can sustain it.

If he does, then we call line up with pitch forks and torches outside of Homer's door.
- johndewar

Wrong door. Lavi messed with Bob in the 2011 playoffs and then Mr. Snider demanded a fixing of the goalie position that did not really need to be fixed. They needed to fix the way they handled Bob.

Steve Mason
- bradleyc4

"[Career] ain't over yet."

Yeah but Bryz's contract runs into his mid 40's (I believe). And I have 0 faith that he won't retire early as he's a hard guy to read since the media has their panties in a twist about him and he's constantly defending himself.
It's a trust issue and most fans just don't trust Bryz.
I'm on the fence with him and I won't lie... I won't cry if he's back or if he goes, I can see advantages both directions.
- FlyersGrace

He will be 40 years old when the contract expires.

He will be 40 years old when the contract expires.
- JoeRussomanno

but he will only look 36

Mike Smith was a product of the system - or so we heard last year while Bryz was maligned here.
- Flyskippy

That is such a silly line of thinking sometimes. As if the player made it all the way from midgets playing that one and only system and suddenly sucks cause he didn't play it anymore. Granted some players fit other systems better but that argument is seriously flawed.

Wrong door. Lavi messed with Bob in the 2011 playoffs and then Mr. Snider demanded a fixing of the goalie position that did not really need to be fixed. They needed to fix the way they handled Bob.
- Flyskippy

Understood, but no one made Homer give Bryz that contract and I'm not even sure if they were bidding against anyone other than themselves.

Wouldn't be an issue if he'd cover it and then we could win a D-zone draw.
- Flyskippy

Even when they do win it they can't get it out of the zone sometimes

Mike Smith was a product of the system - or so we heard last year while Bryz was maligned here.
- Flyskippy

That's what I remember as well. The Phoenix system and all-star dmen make goalies look better than they are.

but he will only look 36
- vejim

Tiger's blood

Understood, but no one made Homer give Bryz that contract and I'm not even sure if they were bidding against anyone other than themselves.
- johndewar

Homer is much loved on this blob

Understood, but no one made Homer give Bryz that contract and I'm not even sure if they were bidding against anyone other than themselves.
- johndewar

Well... I'd think Mr. Snider did, since he (at the very least) would have to sign off on it.

Even when they do win it they can't get it out of the zone sometimes
- JoeRussomanno

That, too! Like the 2008 playoffs vs. the Penguins when the Flyers were thinking the blue line was five feet closer to their goal line than it was.

Wouldn't be an issue if he'd cover it and then we could win a D-zone draw.
- Flyskippy

they should consider this aspect of Bryz as he covers the puck a lot and gets the other team an offensive zone draw when they think about whether to re sign Mr Hall, with his face off ability.

That, too! Like the 2008 playoffs vs. the Penguins when the Flyers were thinking the blue line was five feet closer to their goal line than it was.
- Flyskippy

We've had that problem all season long. How many goals against were because we didn't clear? Either the forwards were way too far forward or the D couldn't connect a pass to save their lives... It was always the blueline in the wrong position! I should have known!

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Bryzgalov, Hartnell, Wellwood
- bmeltzer

Great blog as always Bill!

on Bryz/buyout: As I've said before, Bryz is a good goalie, however he is not good enough to justify a 7 year cap hit of 5.7 million. I would buy him out and take my chances on finding a a vet to pair with Mason who will cost 4 million or less. And Bill, I completely agree, I could absolutely see the Flyers sign someone like Tim Thomas to a 1 year deal. He's not the guy I would want, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least.

on Wellwood: with you 100% on not tendering an offer. It's a shame, but it's a business and it would be the right decision to make.