I wonder if it would be two buy outs up front or two that can be used over the course of the CBA?
- jak521

That's a very good question. For some reason I thought it'd be next summer they use it. If there is one, I use it on Pronger. Get that off the books and let the guy retire with dignity. If Bryz craps the bed this year, use the other on him but you need a plan to replace him.

No one seems to want to think out the step AFTER, if they bought out Bryzgalov.


Bryz is going to be fine.
- MBFlyerfan

Don't assume I haven't thought out the after, but is keeping his contract (which is worse when held against a 60M cap as against a 70M cap) for the number of years left better for the team when the cap will definitely go down? And when you have guys like a Giroux slated to make elite player money? I like Bryz and, as you do, he will probably be 'ok'. But it's certainly not a sure thing due to his play for the majority of last season. I defended/made excuses for him as much as anyone did for what it's worth, and if there was no salary cap, or he only had 2-3-4 years left, I'd probably just keep him.

If they are able to do buyouts after the shortened season, then yea, I'd evaluate this year, see what's available in the offseason, and make the call then.

I certainly wouldn't be horribly upset if they didn't do a buyout if the option is there, and it would show the Flyers have a lot of confidence in him if they don't as well.

I wouldn't worry about it. I think the odds of Bryz getting bought out are slim. Are there any sources on this that matter and are reliable. Or is it just street trash making these comments? Or something in the middle?

A lot can happen in life and sports - injuries, DUI's, marriage, divorce - all impacting a player. No need to predict something that can be changed and really no way to predict.
- Daman

I read it on some media reports like tsn and ESPN.. but as I say, I discount it as not making any sense.

I wouldn't worry about it. I think the odds of Bryz getting bought out are slim. Are there any sources on this that matter and are reliable. Or is it just street trash making these comments? Or something in the middle?

A lot can happen in life and sports - injuries, DUI's, marriage, divorce - all impacting a player. No need to predict something that can be changed and really no way to predict.
- Daman

Damian Cox in the article I posted claimed the NHL has agreed to 2 buyouts which don't count against the cap and will not count against the player's share of money

This keeps being discussed, but why the heck would we buy out Bryz? Who do you replace him with? Do you hope Van buys out Luongo and try to sign him? I think Bill suggested that Bryz has this short season to sort his game out then they'll decide. There are more #1 options available next offseason.
- Hextall271

Two words Tim freaking Thomas.

Damian Cox in the article I posted claimed the NHL has agreed to 2 buyouts which don't count against the cap and will not count against the player's share of money
- eayost

I think they have to have 1 buyout per team or high rollers like the Flyers won't be able to be compliant. 2 would mean we could certainly sort it out. I really hope the players win the cap fight and it settles at like 64 mil.

To me it's insane that teamslike the Flyers and Leafs as well as a few others make most of the money then the fan base gets punished by the threat of the team being dismantled because no one cares about hockey in Phoenix.

I agree with MOAT's post yesterday. The Flyers are my favorite sports team by far and I am a capitalist. I want a healthy league, but if that means we contract 4-5 money losers and then put a team in Quebec I could care less if 3 people in Phoenix are crying in their cornflakes. Also, NJ needs to get their poop together.. very successful club and can't draw. Move em if it doesn't work.

Two words Tim freaking Thomas.
- twotoekenn

I ve respect for the fact he became a dominant tender at a late age, but the fact is he's old and is a headcase (just in a different way than Bryz). The fans would eat him alive as soon as he had a slump.

No thanks. I'd consider Luongo although many consider me crazy I'm sure.

Don't assume I haven't thought out the after, but is keeping his contract (which is worse when held against a 60M cap as against a 70M cap) for the number of years left better for the team when the cap will definitely go down? And when you have guys like a Giroux slated to make elite player money? I like Bryz and, as you do, he will probably be 'ok'. But it's certainly not a sure thing due to his play for the majority of last season. I defended/made excuses for him as much as anyone did for what it's worth, and if there was no salary cap, or he only had 2-3-4 years left, I'd probably just keep him.

If they are able to do buyouts after the shortened season, then yea, I'd evaluate this year, see what's available in the offseason, and make the call then.

I certainly wouldn't be horribly upset if they didn't do a buyout if the option is there, and it would show the Flyers have a lot of confidence in him if they don't as well.
- eayost

I understand your point, but If you've thought out the after, what would your plan be? Do you see an impending UFA that would be a clear upgrade?

I understand your point, but If you've thought out the after, what would your plan be? Do you see an impending UFA that would be a clear upgrade?
- Hextall271

Also, sportsnet is now confirming 2 compliance buyouts.

Can we use both amnesties on Bryzgalov?

Sweeden beats motha-russia in shoot out. USA-Sweeden for gold on sat!

Not to defend Bryz, but if we had Chara playing in front of Bryz 30 minutes a game, half of Philly would be erect over Bryz. (I mean erecting a statue of Bryz).

I understand your point, but If you've thought out the after, what would your plan be? Do you see an impending UFA that would be a clear upgrade?
- Hextall271

If you have to do the buyout before this season, I don't have an answer, but I'm not sure that means the best course long term is keeping him either (due to contract length), if they really only will have like a week to make the decision. I can't view Capgeek at work for some reason, so I don't know where the Flyers are with the cap. Without signing Weber, maybe they aren't in a horrible place to get down to 64-65M without a big buyout.

Edit: So with a quick look at Capgeek via mobile, the Flyers would probably be ok this coming season with Pronger on LTIR (13F, 7D, 2G). Be at a bit under 62M

Not to defend Bryz, but if we had Chara playing in front of Bryz 30 minutes a game, half of Philly would be erect over Bryz. (I mean erecting a statue of Bryz).
- Daman

I agree that we need to upgrade the D. What I fear the most is that Homer has to go into the season with the current corps and teams go through it like swiss cheese and Bryz gets all the blame from people who don't understand the game.

No one seems to want to think out the step AFTER, if they bought out Bryzgalov.


Bryz is going to be fine.
- MBFlyerfan

Buying out Bryz is an absolute no-brainer even if he does get his game going because there's no way in hell he'll be good for seven more years. Or even two or three. He's 32 years old.

Don't assume I haven't thought out the after, but is keeping his contract (which is worse when held against a 60M cap as against a 70M cap) for the number of years left better for the team when the cap will definitely go down? And when you have guys like a Giroux slated to make elite player money? I like Bryz and, as you do, he will probably be 'ok'. But it's certainly not a sure thing due to his play for the majority of last season. I defended/made excuses for him as much as anyone did for what it's worth, and if there was no salary cap, or he only had 2-3-4 years left, I'd probably just keep him.

If they are able to do buyouts after the shortened season, then yea, I'd evaluate this year, see what's available in the offseason, and make the call then.

I certainly wouldn't be horribly upset if they didn't do a buyout if the option is there, and it would show the Flyers have a lot of confidence in him if they don't as well.
- eayost

Bryz was BAD in November and December. After the Winter Classic he played well all the way up to when he broke his foot. Then was the only reason the Flyers were in The Devils series. Lets not go overboard on how bad he was for the "majority" of the season. Because it is simply not the case.

I agree that we need to upgrade the D. What I fear the most is that Homer has to go into the season with the current corps and teams go through it like swiss cheese and Bryz gets all the blame from people who don't understand the game.
- Hextall271

I was not very happy with the way he handled the defense this offseason.

We go into the year with:

Timonen, Coburn, Grossmann, Schenn, Gervais, possibly Meszy, Gusty.. Beyond that

I don't see how they give Giroux the $$ he warrants, as well as the raises that Voracek, Simmonds, and Hartnell get, even with buying out Bryz and Pronger (you still need to pay some goaltender). It will help (cap-wise) that Timonen will either retire or take a lower salary, but then Read will need a new contract, not to mention Couturier and Schenn. No matter what, too much $$ tied up in too few players. They'd have to have 3+ buyouts to keep this core in tact. A renegotiation phase, or a cap hit reduction based on the 57-50 drop would work, maybe. But this is going to be a big problem come next year.

Buying out Bryz is an absolute no-brainer even if he does get his game going because there's no way in hell he'll be good for seven more years. Or even two or three. He's 32 years old.
- OrangeBlack27

And then what?

If you have to do the buyout before this season, I don't have an answer, but I'm not sure that means the best course long term is keeping him either (due to contract length), if they really only will have like a week to make the decision. I can't view Capgeek at work for some reason, so I don't know where the Flyers are with the cap. Without signing Weber, maybe they aren't in a horrible place to get down to 64-65M without a big buyout.

Edit: So with a quick look at Capgeek via mobile, the Flyers would probably be ok this coming season with Pronger on LTIR (13F, 7D, 2G). Be at a bit under 62M
- eayost

Maybe, but I think we need another D man to contend. Right now we have what for Dmen. Coby Timo Mesz Gervais Schenn Grossman Lilja/Gus? I think we need 1 more solid guy in that mix. I was kinda thinking Colaiacuovo before he was signed by Det but he is injury prone.

And then what?
- MBFlyerfan

We go with Leighton and Heeter. lol..

Maybe you buy him out, and then hope to sign Luongo if he's bought out not traded. If not, you are right back to 2010-2011 and Snider said he would not accept that arrangement.

Buying out Bryz is an absolute no-brainer even if he does get his game going because there's no way in hell he'll be good for seven more years. Or even two or three. He's 32 years old.
- OrangeBlack27

You literally think he can't be good for three more years due to age?

And then what?
- MBFlyerfan

Hard to tell right now what the options would be this summer, but IMO, any veteran on a short-term deal would be a significantly more palatable option than seven more years of Bryz. Don't get me wrong, I think Bryz can be a good goaltender for them over the next couple years perhaps, but I also think it's very likely that he is dead weight on the cap before long, which would mean he's dead weight on the cap for a long time.

Bryz was BAD in November and December. After the Winter Classic he played well all the way up to when he broke his foot. Then was the only reason the Flyers were in The Devils series. Lets not go overboard on how bad he was for the "majority" of the season. Because it is simply not the case.
- MBFlyerfan

Maybe I implied it, but I don't think I said he played "bad" for a majority of the season.
He didn't play at an upper tier level for the majority of the season. He did at the end and that was certainly encouraging. But overall it was a very inconsistent season.

Let's be clear here. Me (or anyone else) suggesting buying out Bryz does not necessarily mean I think he's a terrible player. I'm looking at a possible shrinking cap, with good young players moving up, and wondering what the right thing long term for the team would be if you have one shot at restructuring your salary structure.

Bryz was BAD in November and December. After the Winter Classic he played well all the way up to when he broke his foot. Then was the only reason the Flyers were in The Devils series. Lets not go overboard on how bad he was for the "majority" of the season. Because it is simply not the case.
- MBFlyerfan

Actually.. he was very good in November... his second best month statistically. His biggest problem was his inconsistency.... When he was consistent he was one of the hardest goalies to beat in the entire league.

From October 29th-November 20th he compiled a 5-1 record with a gaa 1.66 and a save% of .944

People focus tooo much on his bad games.. He was very inconsistent early on.. but from January on out he was one of the best goalies in the league.