The Bryz will be in net tonight as the Flyers open up the home portion of their exhibition slate.

We're talking goalie Ilyz Bryzgalov.

A bunch of us were chatting the other about how "loose" the Flyers dressing room is this year. Even some of the national reporters from Canada, who drop by infrequently, commented that the tension they sensed last year in the dressing room is gone.

Three reasons. Bryz, for starters. He has a terrific sense of humor. I call him my "Russian Garth Snow," because Snowy was totally off the wall every day when he walked in and Bryzgalov does the same thing.

"I'll let you quote yourself on that," coach Peter Laviolette said of Bryz nickname.

Reason No. 2: Jaromir Jagr. Smiling, joking, laughing. Like the Jagr of old.

Reason No. 3: Max Talbot. A prankster of the Scott Hartnell cut, he has a terrific disposition as well.

Notice I didn't say Mr. Warmth - or Capt. Warmth - Chris Pronger. But I could have. Pronger is already firing shots at the media - the playful banter which we all love - but we had Pronger last year in the room and it wasn't this loose.

“Every year is different with different personnel coming in and I certainly believe trhe room changes," Laviolette said.

"The players we have here are good guys. It's good that you sense that. That is what you want."

BTW: It is believed Sean Couturier got the rookie max of $925,000.

Here's a slew of stuff from CSNPhilly.com:

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