I suppose this year the Flyers will be icing their own version of the Whiz kids. I can deal with a struggling season if it means longterm success. That's if this is in fact going to be a bad season, it's not like in 2007 when there were too many over the hill players, we're just looking at the prospect of struggling with a group of developing but talented young players. This team hasn't played a shift as constructed yet and looking at the free agent pool and available trade pieces I'd say plow ahead as is and see how it goes. There was a saying we had where I used to work, If you're scared, say you're scared.
- JoeRussomanno

I agree with you but there is one thing I worry about if this team does struggle. The level of critisizm that Bryz will endure, wheather justified or unjustified. He is under the microscope this year and we all know if the team falters the level of vitreol(sp?) will make last year look like a camp fire gathering of Kum-ba-ya. How that would affect his future, I couldnt tell you, but I would speculate it wouldnt be the most condusive situation for the Flyers longterm succes.

For the record, there may be a drop off in pts and the standings but I think we are not going to witness a drop off the cliff like the season that will not be mentioned. They will make the playoffs

our defense is way too slow to play lavi's up tempo game

i expect a system change or this season will just get more and more brutal for us
- 2Real

I agree but would also suggest we are saying similar things.

We'll see what their style of play looks like...no way to tell now. But in my (always) humble opinion, the potential is there for Bryz and the D to perform very well.

With this team, it may be fair to say that you can't have it both ways. You can't have that high offensive production without exposing the D. If they decide to clog the neutral zone and defensive end, you may lose some scoring but have Bryz look like an all star. If we base the team's style and skills on history, then Bryz will be up and down. If changes are made, then things may be different.
- Daman

You're right, we won't know what this mix will look like defensively until they take the ice. It appears to me, though , that the defensive talent has not increased.

As for how the team in front of him plays, I wouldn't expect much to change. Coach has his system, and I don't know he'll be changing it to include more neutral zone traffic nor to prioritize defense. I guess the core of what I'm getting at is that Bryzgalov doesn't just have to fare better, he has to be the one erasing the mistakes in our zone.

I agree but would also suggest we are saying similar things.
- Daman

yup just showing my thoughts are similar to yours buddy

Yep, Capgeek has it as a 2 way deal.
- MJL

refresh my memory, doesn't the AHL salary affect re-entry waivers?

You're right, we won't know what this mix will look like defensively until they take the ice. It appears to me, though , that the defensive talent has not increased.

As for how the team in front of him plays, I wouldn't expect much to change. Coach has his system, and I don't know he'll be changing it to include more neutral zone traffic nor to prioritize defense. I guess the core of what I'm getting at is that Bryzgalov doesn't just have to fare better, he has to be the one erasing the mistakes in our zone.
- BulliesPhan87

once bryzgalov gets his head out of the universe he can achieve this

- PLindbergh31

who dat

who dat
- 2Real

Flyers D-Core.

once bryzgalov gets his head out of the universe he can achieve this
- 2Real

I certainly hope so. My past few posts may seem to indicate otherwise, but I'm really pulling for him.

could kubina have recovered enough from his injuries to be a one year stop gap?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I asked this a couple days ago and was met with a resounding NO

Flyers D-Core.
- PLindbergh31

Care to venture any predictions on the next defenseman injury?

I agree with you but there is one thing I worry about if this team does struggle. The level of critisizm that Bryz will endure, wheather justified or unjustified. He is under the microscope this year and we all know if the team falters the level of vitreol(sp?) will make last year look like a camp fire gathering of Kum-ba-ya. How that would affect his future, I couldnt tell you, but I would speculate it wouldnt be the most condusive situation for the Flyers longterm succes.

For the record, there may be a drop off in pts and the standings but I think we are not going to witness a drop off the cliff like the season that will not be mentioned. They will make the playoffs
- KINGKENZO

They can win the stanley cup and he'll still get criticized.

Flyers D-Core.
- PLindbergh31

bryzgalov would have made more sense special ed would have been a better comparison to our defense

Care to venture any predictions on the next defenseman injury?
- BulliesPhan87

timonen

I asked this a couple days ago and was met with a resounding NO
- JoeRussomanno

ha i figured as much... am i crazy or was he playing okay at first when they got him?

They can win the stanley cup and he'll still get criticized.
- JoeRussomanno

no they can't cause that's the ultimate goal

You're right, we won't know what this mix will look like defensively until they take the ice. It appears to me, though , that the defensive talent has not increased.

As for how the team in front of him plays, I wouldn't expect much to change. Coach has his system, and I don't know he'll be changing it to include more neutral zone traffic nor to prioritize defense. I guess the core of what I'm getting at is that Bryzgalov doesn't just have to fare better, he has to be the one erasing the mistakes in our zone.
- BulliesPhan87

If what you suggest is true, then I would expect a lot of early goals, comebacks, high scoring affairs, and games where we cannot protect a lead. Just like last year.

Hopefully this team learns from its mistakes. I have never seen a team so mercurial, early goal deficits and late game comebacks.

no they can't cause that's the ultimate goal
- 2Real

Cole hamels was a world series mvp and got criticized, case closed.

ha i figured as much... am i crazy or was he playing okay at first when they got him?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I thought so.

ha i figured as much... am i crazy or was he playing okay at first when they got him?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

He was playing good for the first month and a half then got injured. I don't even know what the heck is wrong with him injury-wise at this point

once bryzgalov gets his head out of the universe he can achieve this
- 2Real

Excuse me... What is that supposed to mean???

Cole hamels was a world series mvp and got criticized, case closed.
- JoeRussomanno

cole hamels won it in 2008 things change

Excuse me... What is that supposed to mean???
- The_Universe

OH SNAP

If what you suggest is true, then I would expect a lot of early goals, comebacks, high scoring affairs, and games where we cannot protect a lead. Just like last year.

Hopefully this team learns from its mistakes. I have never seen a team so mercurial, early goal deficits and late game comebacks.
- Daman

you gotta give it to them though. they sure work hard as hell to come back