Sportsnet hockey central at noon is talking Flyers goaltending. Talking that the rumour is that if Bryz doesn't do well this year, they may buy him out and then go for Backstrom. Then Doug Maclean(former CBJ GM) jumped in to say that the whole buyout thing is fun to talk about, but it's a whole different thing to go to your owner to say, I need to buy out Bryz and we need 48 mil or whatever to pay a guy not to play for us eating into the team's profit. They are also Criticizing the fact that we don't draft goalies or dmen. Even though Ed encouraged the signing, Homer signed off on it as well. It's not as easy as it sounds.
- Hextall271

I don't have a problem with the team improving. But will Backstrom be much of an improvement? Like Maclean said its a lot more involved than eh I don't like this guy lets get rid of him. Someone mentioned it earlier this morning but Bryzgalov has been the best the Flyers had since Esche. For whatever reason Goalies don't always blossom here.

How Doug MacLean has a job analyzing NHL GM's is beyond me.
- Jsaquella

True... I wish they had Milbury on as well.. they both talk good games.. he's talking about how he had to beg the CBJ owner for 900k to buy out Andrew Cassels...

Gervais is a pretty steady player -- not sure why everybody's panicking at the sight of him on the bottom pair.

Lilja, on the other hand, I would rather not have in the top-six at all.

With that said, there's definitely no need to go diving into the bottom of the UFA barrel at this point -- better to pair up with one of the many teams with a glut of signed dmen and swing a minor deal. Or, just wait until Mez/Gus/MAB are ready to step back in.
- Tomahawk

I think the thing with Gervais is people see that he played in Tampa and with the Isles and automatically assume he sucks. He is not going to step in and be Kimmo Timonen, but if they watch his minutes and matchups, he could be a real solid piece of the Flyers puzzle.

He played very solidly for Tampa last season, although admittedly he was used against lesser competition. Of course, he wasn't signed to be a first pair guy to shut down Malkin or Crosby.

I don't have a problem with the team improving. But will Backstrom be much of an improvement? Like Maclean said its a lot more involved than eh I don't like this guy lets get rid of him. Someone mentioned it earlier this morning but Bryzgalov has been the best the Flyers had since Esche. For whatever reason Goalies don't always blossom here.
- JoeRussomanno

Backstrom is a very good goalie. But he's had injury issues and IMO he's not as good as Bryzgalov when Bryz is at the top of his game. That said, Backstrom would be a smaller & shorter contract.

I think the thing with Gervais is people see that he played in Tampa and with the Isles and automatically assume he sucks. He is not going to step in and be Kimmo Timonen, but if they watch his minutes and matchups, he could be a real solid piece of the Flyers puzzle.

He played very solidly for Tampa last season, although admittedly he was used against lesser competition. Of course, he wasn't signed to be a first pair guy to shut down Malkin or Crosby.
- Jsaquella

Isn't that what a 5/6th dman is for?

i don't remember. just had surgery yesterday though.
- wilsonecho91

Yep, it was his shoulder. Out 6 months.

I wonder if the Flyers could pry defenseman Nikita Nikitin off the Blue Jackets. Good size and produced well for the Jackets. Not the greatest skater, but still more than adequate.

Might be obtainable after the Jackets acquired Jack Johnson & drafted Ryan Murray.
- Jsaquella

I doubt they deal him fresh off a breakout year and a new, affordable contract.

However, their new found depth does introduce the possibility of maybe poaching one of their high-end D prospects: Erixon, Savard, Moore or Goloubef.

Isn't that what a 5/6th dman is for?
- JoeRussomanno

Yep. Pretty much.

Backstrom is a very good goalie. But he's had injury issues and IMO he's not as good as Bryzgalov when Bryz is at the top of his game. That said, Backstrom would be a smaller & shorter contract.
- Jsaquella

I've been hearing mixed things about this buyout business too, if the Flyers bought out Bryzgalov, do they then have a percentage of his salary still count against their cap? Someone told me it would still be 4 mill against the cap. Not sure that is true, I thought the whole idea of the buyouts was so the team's get rid of the cap space.

I doubt they deal him fresh off a breakout year and a new, affordable contract.

However, their new found depth does introduce the possibility of maybe poaching one of their high-end D prospects: Erixon, Savard, Moore or Goloubef.
- Tomahawk

That's an angle as well. I was figuring if one of those kids is ready, the presence of Johnson & Wisniewski might make them open to dealing Nikitin...but longshot, probably.

I've been hearing mixed things about this buyout business too, if the Flyers bought out Bryzgalov, do they then have a percentage of his salary still count against their cap? Someone told me it would still be 4 mill against the cap. Not sure that is true, I thought the whole idea of the buyouts was so the team's get rid of the cap space.
- JoeRussomanno

The amnesty buyouts count against the players' share of HRR, but they do not count against a team's salary cap in any way, shape or form.

Whoever told you there'd be a cap hit in an amnesty buyout was looking at a regular buyout cap hit.

I think the thing with Gervais is people see that he played in Tampa and with the Isles and automatically assume he sucks. He is not going to step in and be Kimmo Timonen, but if they watch his minutes and matchups, he could be a real solid piece of the Flyers puzzle.

He played very solidly for Tampa last season, although admittedly he was used against lesser competition. Of course, he wasn't signed to be a first pair guy to shut down Malkin or Crosby.
- Jsaquella

I think the blue line looks thin on paper, but I still think they should play it out first before making any deals.

We won't know how Gervais or Luke Schenn are going to actually fit in until we see them playing games.

I think the blue line looks thin on paper, but I still think they should play it out first before making any deals.

We won't know how Gervais or Luke Schenn are going to actually fit in until we see them playing games.
- johndewar

I'd be open to making a deal prior to the season starting, if it's a deal that makes sense, like getting a clear upgrade for the right price or a top prospect without paying through the nose.

But I don't see the D as a disaster area, either. I'd like another puck mover and if one of the top 4 gets hurt, they will have issues. I'd feel better if Gustafsson was ready to go

Backstrom is a very good goalie. But he's had injury issues and IMO he's not as good as Bryzgalov when Bryz is at the top of his game. That said, Backstrom would be a smaller & shorter contract.
- Jsaquella

Problem with Backstrom is that he'll be 35 this summer... declining durability, 35+ contract, Flyers history with older goaltenders... not a nice mix, IMO.

Problem with Backstrom is that he'll be 35 this summer... declining durability, 35+ contract, Flyers history with older goaltenders... not a nice mix, IMO.
- Tomahawk

They'd have to go with a 1 or 2 year deal. He's not ideal, but one of the names out there. I think I'd prefer Jimmy Howard

The amnesty buyouts count against the players' share of HRR, but they do not count against a team's salary cap in any way, shape or form.

Whoever told you there'd be a cap hit in an amnesty buyout was looking at a regular buyout cap hit.
- Jsaquella

That's what I thought thanks!
I'm not gonna deny the fact Bryz has a humangous beeg contract so if he's just average or *gulp worse I can see the case to buy him out. He has the physical skills to be an elite goalie, it just remains to be seen if he can stay focused. By being focused I'm not referring to his fascination with the stars, everyone has a hobby, but from my own observation it does seem like he gets out of focus in games, looking lackadaisical at times. If he can cut that crap out I have no problem with the team honoring that contract however I'd like a free cup of crab fries at a game, wtf Snider!

They'd have to go with a 1 or 2 year deal. He's not ideal, but one of the names out there. I think I'd prefer Jimmy Howard
- Jsaquella

I'd be thrilled if the Flyers managed to get Jimmy Howard. I love his game. Only issue is, why would Detroit let him go?

Is it worth a shot at taking a chance on a young back-up like Bernier, Enroth, Greiss, etc? Some people like that idea but I'd prefer to stick with Bryz in that scenario.

That's what I thought thanks!
I'm not gonna deny the fact Bryz has a humangous beeg contract so if he's just average or *gulp worse I can see the case to buy him out. He has the physical skills to be an elite goalie, it just remains to be seen if he can stay focused. By being focused I'm not referring to his fascination with the stars, everyone has a hobby, but from my own observation it does seem like he gets out of focus in games, looking lackadaisical at times. If he can cut that crap out I have no problem with the team honoring that contract however I'd like a free cup of crab fries at a game, wtf Snider!
- JoeRussomanno

My biggest worry about Bryz and his contract are because of the early retirement rules in place. If retires with one year left it could put the Flyers in a bit of a bind, depending on the final terms of the CBA

Problem with Backstrom is that he'll be 35 this summer... declining durability, 35+ contract, Flyers history with older goaltenders... not a nice mix, IMO.
- Tomahawk

Another reason that a buyout may not make sense. Backstrom also has not carried a team deep into the playoffs. I'm still banking on Bryz being solid this year for us.

I'd be thrilled if the Flyers managed to get Jimmy Howard. I love his game. Only issue is, why would Detroit let him go?

Is it worth a shot at taking a chance on a young back-up like Bernier, Enroth, Greiss, etc? Some people like that idea but I'd prefer to stick with Bryz in that scenario.
- NickTheKid87

My preference is to stay with Bryzgalov over Howard or Backstrom. My worry is the early retirement cap implications because of the length of Bryz's deal

My preference is to stay with Bryzgalov over Howard or Backstrom. My worry is the early retirement cap implications because of the length of Bryz's deal
- Jsaquella

Does that cap hit count if he's amnestied though? I haven't read up on it.

They'd have to go with a 1 or 2 year deal. He's not ideal, but one of the names out there. I think I'd prefer Jimmy Howard
- Jsaquella

Going to be interesting to see how Howard, and that d-corps, respond to life without their perennial Norris winner -- Detroit might not be able to get away with going cheap on goaltending anymore.

Gervais is a pretty steady player -- not sure why everybody's panicking at the sight of him on the bottom pair.

Lilja, on the other hand, I would rather not have in the top-six at all.

With that said, there's definitely no need to go diving into the bottom of the UFA barrel at this point -- better to pair up with one of the many teams with a glut of signed dmen and swing a minor deal. Or, just wait until Mez/Gus/MAB are ready to step back in.
- Tomahawk

I'd rather Lilja be a part time 6/7 also. But he can fill in. Many are writing Gervais off before even seeing him play. But that can be typical from some. Flyers need to be patient and make the right move.

I think my brother had Brett Hull hockey that. Al Michaels "One Timer! Score!"
- JoeRussomanno

Someone please tell me if I'm going crazy or not: There was a hockey game for Sega (I BELIEVE it was Mario Lemieux Hockey) where you could have a regular fight, but in rare cases, you could actually have a 5-on-5 brawl. I'm 99.9% certain it was for Sega, as it happened at my cousin's house and he had Sega. I don't think it was Wayne Gretzky's NHLPA All Stars, and I don't think I ever played Brett Hull hockey. Any info would be great. Thanks!

Gervais is a pretty steady player -- not sure why everybody's panicking at the sight of him on the bottom pair.

Lilja, on the other hand, I would rather not have in the top-six at all.

With that said, there's definitely no need to go diving into the bottom of the UFA barrel at this point -- better to pair up with one of the many teams with a glut of signed dmen and swing a minor deal. Or, just wait until Mez/Gus/MAB are ready to step back in.
- Tomahawk

I'd take Bourbon off the list at this point. It's a shame but the kid has three concussions in the last 12 months. I'd be surprised if he doesn't come back, get a fourth and call it.