" Making a decision on what to do with Ilya Bryzgalov: buy him out to shed his $5.66 million cap hit or retain him for up to seven additional seasons. By the end of the 2013 season, the choice the Flyers will make will become fairly obvious.

In order to remain a Flyer beyond this season, Bryzgalov is going to have to play at a very high sustained level and have a strong playoff on top of it. That may be tough to accomplish with the defensive question marks surrounding the club but we'll see what happens. Bryzgalov did set a new franchise shutout record in March of last season with essentially the same defensive cast -- minus the now-departed Matt Carle -- in front of him.

If the Flyers buy out Bryzgalov, I think they will target Minnesota Wild impending unrestricted free agent goaltender Niklas Bäckström as his replacement. The Finnish goaltender could be available at a significantly lower cap cost -- and on no more than a two-year contract -- than Bryzgalov. Detroit Red Wings starter Jimmy Howard will also be an unrestricted free agent this summer. "

it's certainly a consideration...
- isaiah520

They don't need to use any buyouts this summer. We can give Bryz the short season and a full season in 13-14 to make that final decision. Unless he implodes the rest of the way, I can now see him staying for next season at least. After that, 2 1/2 seasons should give us an indication as to what we have in him. Perhaps we buy him out after 13-14 to kill that long contract and cut ties with an aging goalie.

They don't need to use any buyouts this summer. We can give Bryz the short season and a full season in 13-14 to make that final decision. Unless he implodes the rest of the way, I can now see him staying for next season at least. After that, 2 1/2 seasons should give us an indication as to what we have in him. Perhaps we buy him out after 13-14 to kill that long contract and cut ties with an aging goalie.
- Rocktane

I pointed that out in an earlier post

They don't need to use any buyouts this summer. We can give Bryz the short season and a full season in 13-14 to make that final decision. Unless he implodes the rest of the way, I can now see him staying for next season at least. After that, 2 1/2 seasons should give us an indication as to what we have in him. Perhaps we buy him out after 13-14 to kill that long contract and cut ties with an aging goalie.
- Rocktane

It really just boggles my mind. Biggest Organizational hole for how long. Now they signed a Goalie, and he's playing well. And is looking like the player they thought he could be. I'll agree that he has to continue to play this way consistently. But it's unbelievable that there is already talk of buying him out. Without anyone considering that they could be back to having a Boucher, or Leighton that everyone hates so much in net. Mind boggling.

- Flyskippy

I'm still stunned by the whole affair (as was Huskins).

They don't need to use any buyouts this summer. We can give Bryz the short season and a full season in 13-14 to make that final decision. Unless he implodes the rest of the way, I can now see him staying for next season at least. After that, 2 1/2 seasons should give us an indication as to what we have in him. Perhaps we buy him out after 13-14 to kill that long contract and cut ties with an aging goalie.
- Rocktane

Not a bad proposition. I think if Bryz keeps up his solid work this year and next, at the very least it won't be musical tenders. If because of thecontract, we want to buy him out and go with someone better and cheaper/less term.. how could you not do it? The only caution I have is that there is no guarantee a tender meeting that criteria is out there.

It really just boggles my mind. Biggest Organizational hole for how long. Now they signed a Goalie, and he's playing well. And is looking like the player they thought he could be. I'll agree that he has to continue to play this way consistently. But it's unbelievable that there is already talk of buying him out. Without anyone considering that they could be back to having a Boucher, or Leighton that everyone hates so much in net. Mind boggling.
- MJL

Personally, with all the other problems the team has.. goaltending doesn't even need to be discussed. Solid so far.

Personally, with all the other problems the team has.. goaltending doesn't even need to be discussed. Solid so far.
- Hextall271

Exactly! Right now we have a good Goalie. So let's buy him out and get rid of him. We can't be having that in Philadelphia!

Exactly! Right now we have a good Goalie. So let's buy him out and get rid of him. We can't be having that in Philadelphia!

- MJL

The lone reason I'd give credence to a Bryz buy out is the Early retirement rules on backloaded deals.

From a strictly hockey sense, no way I buy him out

Exactly! Right now we have a good Goalie. So let's buy him out and get rid of him. We can't be having that in Philadelphia!

- MJL

If the team even played close to what we had most of last year.. we're prob 6-2 with this tending...look at the numbers and having seen the breakdowns.. that only tells half the story of how solid he has been.

It really just boggles my mind. Biggest Organizational hole for how long. Now they signed a Goalie, and he's playing well. And is looking like the player they thought he could be. I'll agree that he has to continue to play this way consistently. But it's unbelievable that there is already talk of buying him out. Without anyone considering that they could be back to having a Boucher, or Leighton that everyone hates so much in net. Mind boggling.
- MJL

it's something bill mentioned in the jan 6 blog i quoted. it has to be a consideration given the mix of plyrs, the new contracts required and the needs of the team in a revised cap era. unboggle

The lone reason I'd give credence to a Bryz buy out is the Early retirement rules on backloaded deals.

From a strictly hockey sense, no way I buy him out
- Jsaquella

Which is just a possibility, and is how many years down the road? We have this Season and next to decide. Premature talk as far as I'm concerned.

it's something bill mentioned in the jan 6 blog i quoted. it has to be a consideration given the mix of plyrs, the new contracts required and the needs of the team in a revised cap era. unboggle
- isaiah520

Doesn't need to be a consideration now. It was mentioned simply because it was part of the new CBA. Now it's being championed by some as if a buyout of Bryz is a must. I don't see it that way. And talk right now of needing to buyout Bryzgalov is premature.

Which is just a possibility, and is how many years down the road? We have this Season and next to decide. Premature talk as far as I'm concerned.
- MJL

I wouldn't make a decision on it until summer of 2014, myself.

Which is just a possibility, and is how many years down the road? We have this Season and next to decide. Premature talk as far as I'm concerned.
- MJL

I was thinking last night.. could you imagine if Bryz was not solid so far? We'd be 1-7 and the goal dif would be off the rails bad.

The lone reason I'd give credence to a Bryz buy out is the Early retirement rules on backloaded deals.

From a strictly hockey sense, no way I buy him out
- Jsaquella

that's the point. the idea that I'm pointing fingers at bryz is ridiculous, but given that we've played 7 gms and people are already mentioning '06-07...i just wanted to post about the future. iow, we are questioning what we have overall and i'm just giving a macro assessment.

As much as writing off this season is fun, i notice most teams we are chasing have played most of their games at home so far. Not saying that we will be good at home here, but wonder if that has hadany factor in this disastrous start?

that's the point. the idea that I'm pointing fingers at bryz is ridiculous, but given that we've played 7 gms and people are already mentioning '06-07...i just wanted to post about the future. iow, we are questioning what we have overall and i'm just giving a macro assessment.
- isaiah520

I'm not accusing anyone of that...because I've brought him up as a logical buy out guy, too. Just noting that it doesn't have to be an immediate deal.

I wouldn't make a decision on it until summer of 2014, myself.
- Jsaquella

we could simply be stuck with a bunch of sophomore slumps and a few guys that had career yrs and patience will be required...but will it be exercised. I'd certainly rather be patient with young talent.

As much as writing off this season is fun, i notice most teams we are chasing have played most of their games at home so far. Not saying that we will be good at home here, but wonder if that has hadany factor in this disastrous start?
- Hextall271

Home or away, they have to play better. Obviously.

As much as writing off this season is fun, i notice most teams we are chasing have played most of their games at home so far. Not saying that we will be good at home here, but wonder if that has hadany factor in this disastrous start?
- Hextall271

It may have an effect, but the biggest factor so far is that the Flyers' performance has been poop.

EDIT: Leight

I'm not accusing anyone of that...because I've brought him up as a logical buy out guy, too. Just noting that it doesn't have to be an immediate deal.
- Jsaquella

so did bill obviously. having the flexibility to use the buyout after next season is fortunate.

I wouldn't make a decision on it until summer of 2014, myself.
- Jsaquella

agreed... maybe you axe him if he straight up sucks this year, but he's played well so far. the problem is the long term ramifications, deal with it at the last possible moment

i think the big candidates for the chopping block this year are briere and coburn (trade in coburn's case, obviously.....don't know the details of his NTC though)

Home or away, they have to play better. Obviously.
- MJL

Of course, but they have had two good efforts so far at home vs NYR and Pitt even though these games were far from perfect. Trying to figure out if they will maybe turn things around a bit in this 4 game home stand. The sched is so messed. 4 road games in a row.. 4 home games in a row.. then 6 in a row on the road.. dear god..

agreed... maybe you axe him if he straight up sucks this year, but he's played well so far. the problem is the long term ramifications, deal with it at the last possible moment

i think the big candidates for the chopping block this year are briere and coburn (trade in coburn's case, obviously.....don't know the details of his NTC though)
- FlyerMike18

His clause is a modified NTC. Don't know the specifics. He is another player that needs to pick up his game. He had some offensive opportunities last night. Couldn't get the puck to the net.

Of course, but they have had two good efforts so far at home vs NYR and Pitt even though these games were far from perfect. Trying to figure out if they will maybe turn things around a bit in this 4 game home stand. The sched is so messed. 4 road games in a row.. 4 home games in a row.. then 6 in a row on the road.. dear god..
- Hextall271

There are a few signs of some things getting better. The PK was better. And I thought they moved the puck around good on the PP. But the lack of forecheck and offensive pressure is baffling.