Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Hovinen Injury, Bryzgalov, Schedule

Thanks for giving us all something to look forward to every day, Bill, in these times of trouble.

Hopefully, words of wisdom will be uttered between the Fehrs and Bettman, allowing Mother Mary will bless us with a shiny new CBA, putting an end to these hours of darkness and healing the broken-hearted people who love to watch this game.

Any word on what the Big Fin hurt? I hope it wasn't his hip....

Thanks again Bill and enjoy your Thursday! (and your sleep Wednesday night! )

Thanks for the updates, Bill. Never a dull moment, except that it's always a reminder that these guys aren't playing for our local team in Philadelphia.

Very much looking forward to a new season starting sometime before 2013. When I read the "what happened today in Flyers history" it makes me realize that history isn't being made with each game missed. It's happening overseas.

Any word on what the Big Fin hurt? I hope it wasn't his hip....
- Giroux_Is_God

Left collarbone.

Left collarbone.
- bmeltzer

Bill what is your take on the stipulation in the owners offer that would throw a cap hit of a retiring player back on to the team that originally signed him?

Left collarbone.
- bmeltzer

I know it's not the NHL and all, but this whole bryzgalov mess is really having me worry about his mental edge.

Maybe the flyers will buy him out if teams are allowed to do so

I know it's not the NHL and all, but this whole bryzgalov mess is really having me worry about his mental edge.

Maybe the flyers will buy him out if teams are allowed to do so
- sarmen25

What Bryzgalov mess?

What Bryzgalov mess?
- MBFlyerfan

The fact that he hasn't been playing well in his home land

The fact that he hasn't been playing well in his home land
- sarmen25

You mean him coming in with no camp in a season that has already started getting spot duty because the guy ahead of him is playing better and will be the starter when the lockout is over so why would the coach play Bryz unless it was the second of a back to back so he hasn't been able to get in to a rhythm?

You mean that?

By all means lets cut him loose.

You mean him coming in with no camp in a season that has already started getting spot duty because the guy ahead of him is playing better and will be the starter when the lockout is over so why would the coach play Bryz unless it was the second of a back to back so he hasn't been able to get in to a rhythm?

You mean that?

By all means lets cut him loose.

- MBFlyerfan

Nice read Bill...thanks

I know it's not the NHL and all, but this whole bryzgalov mess is really having me worry about his mental edge.

Maybe the flyers will buy him out if teams are allowed to do so
- sarmen25

and who are we going to have in net? Michael Leighton?

People need to get off of Bryz's back. When he finally wins the Cup for us, I can't wait to point out all his naysayers. It's going to be a bittersweet moment.

and who are we going to have in net? Michael Leighton?

People need to get off of Bryz's back. When he finally wins the Cup for us, I can't wait to point out all his naysayers. It's going to be a bittersweet moment.
- KGBflyers10

i would think it would just be a sweet moment and not bitter at all, no?

Love: Today In Flyers History
Thanks for this, Bill. It brings back memories and I usually learn something, too. For example, today I learned that Flett had a 40-goal season. I probably would've bet money that he never cracked 20. (I Googled and learned he had 40+ for the WHA Oilers later in his career.)

Hate: Advertisements on player uniforms
Holy cow, highlight clips are nearly unwatchable with all that nonsense on their uniforms.

- aightwebang17

ty

Love: Today In Flyers History
Thanks for this, Bill. It brings back memories and I usually learn something, too. For example, today I learned that Flett had a 40-goal season. I probably would've bet money that he never cracked 20. (I Googled and learned he had 40+ for the WHA Oilers later in his career.)

Hate: Advertisements on player uniforms
Holy cow, highlight clips are nearly unwatchable with all that nonsense on their uniforms.
- Scoob

NASCAR on ice

and who are we going to have in net? Michael Leighton?

People need to get off of Bryz's back. When he finally wins the Cup for us, I can't wait to point out all his naysayers. It's going to be a bittersweet moment.
- KGBflyers10

Let's be honest, though... Bryzgalov was never anything special until he met up with Dave Tippett... same think with Turco under Tippett (and a bit of Hitch)... same thing with Mike Smith under Tippett... the Dallas/Phoenix defensive systems does an extraordinary job of inflating both save% (fewer high-quality chances against) and GAA (defense-first philosophy).

I don't think it's an aberration that his game was exposed the minute he no longer had such an ideal scheme to support him... he's not a terrible goalie by any stretch, but he's realistically a mediocre NHL starter at best, and very prone to lapses in consistency and attitude. That just doesn't bode well for the remainder of his tenure in Philly.

If they manage to win the Cup with him, it will probably be more in spite of him than anything.

Love: Today In Flyers History
Thanks for this, Bill. It brings back memories and I usually learn something, too. For example, today I learned that Flett had a 40-goal season. I probably would've bet money that he never cracked 20. (I Googled and learned he had 40+ for the WHA Oilers later in his career.)

Hate: Advertisements on player uniforms
Holy cow, highlight clips are nearly unwatchable with all that nonsense on their uniforms.
- Scoob

don't think this really applies to hockey as much as football since there are only 9 commercial breaks during the course of a hockey game, but:

would you prefer no tv timeouts during the course of play but jersey adverts to make up for lost $$?

would you prefer no tv timeouts during the course of play but jersey adverts to make up for lost $$?
- OrangeBlack27

Absolutely not!

Commercial breaks are when I can grab a snack or hit the rest room.

The number of ads on NHL boards and ice is already ridiculous and horrible. And there are plenty of on-screen ads and promos during stoppages in play (and sometimes during play! ) No need to further litter the game with any more ads.

Absolutely not!

Commercial breaks are when I can grab a snack or hit the rest room.

The number of ads on NHL boards and ice is already ridiculous and horrible. And there are plenty of on-screen ads and promos during stoppages in play (and sometimes during play! ) No need to further litter the game with any more ads.
- Scoob

with hockey, i think i agree. with football, however, it's an absolute no-brainer for me to go with the jersey adverts over the zillion commercial breaks.

with hockey, i think i agree. with football, however, it's an absolute no-brainer for me to go with the jersey adverts over the zillion commercial breaks.
- OrangeBlack27

I don't follow the NFL closely so don't have an opinion on it directly, but in general I'm opposed to advertising of any kind on professional sports uniforms.

I don't follow the NFL closely so don't have an opinion on it directly, but in general I'm opposed to advertising of any kind on professional sports uniforms.
- Scoob

i get that totally. i think i started to change my mind since i've been watching more of the premier league the last couple years. they do uni adverts tastefully and the only commercial breaks are during half-time. 90+ minutes of game time only takes two hours. it's terrific.

Let's be honest, though... Bryzgalov was never anything special until he met up with Dave Tippett... same think with Turco under Tippett (and a bit of Hitch)... same thing with Mike Smith under Tippett... the Dallas/Phoenix defensive systems does an extraordinary job of inflating both save% (fewer high-quality chances against) and GAA (defense-first philosophy).

I don't think it's an aberration that his game was exposed the minute he no longer had such an ideal scheme to support him... he's not a terrible goalie by any stretch, but he's realistically a mediocre NHL starter at best, and very prone to lapses in consistency and attitude. That just doesn't bode well for the remainder of his tenure in Philly.

If they manage to win the Cup with him, it will probably be more in spite of him than anything.
- Tomahawk

I'm not exactly the biggest believer in Bryz, but I think it's more than unfair to say their success would probably be 'in spite of him', especially after he pretty much kept the Flyers in the each game of the Devils series in spite of the skaters. I agree he's prone to lapses in focus and consistency, but I don't think it's fair to label him 'mediocre'.

I'm not exactly the biggest believer in Bryz, but I think it's more than unfair to say their success would probably be 'in spite of him', especially after he pretty much kept the Flyers in the each game of the Devils series in spite of the skaters. I agree he's prone to lapses in focus and consistency, but I don't think it's fair to label him 'mediocre'.
- BulliesPhan87

I agree with you on the "in spite of" comment. He's likely going to have to play otherworldly for them to win a Cup.

But I do agree with the mediocre characterization (with the belief that "average" was the intended meaning). If you look at his numbers outside of his Dave Tippet years, they're rather consistent and consistently average to below-average.

I agree with you on the "in spite of" comment. He's likely going to have to play otherworldly for them to win a Cup.

But I do agree with the mediocre characterization (with the belief that "average" was the intended meaning). If you look at his numbers outside of his Dave Tippet years, they're rather consistent and consistently average to below-average.
- bradleyc4

I'm more inclined to accept 'average' than 'mediocre' (I care about connotation), but I think he's at least a little better than that. I'll admit this might be a case of 'orange tinted glasses'.

Anyway, my beef was primarily with the 'in spite of' part.