I think they have too much offensive talent to go back to a defense first philosophy. Also, I don't know if the team has the right mix to play that type of system.
- NickTheKid87

There is really no such thing as having too much talent to go to a defense first philosophy. Play better team defense, and it will open up the offensive floddgates.

The Isles trading for Tim Thomas. February 7th, 2013
- Jsaquella

Tim Thomas is in the last year of his contract... Right, that's just like Bryz and his remaining 8 years...

So we have to wait 7 more years to trade Bryz?

Yes Yes we know all about Bryzgalov at this point, Sir!
- JoeRussomanno

With the lack of guys likely to be available this summer, he has to get at least another year. Then re-examine in the summer of '14.

Briere is a buy-out candidate this summer.
- bradleyc4

i love briere like a son but he was maddening last night. time 2 go

He got nutsaqued...
- Philly1980

Because Tim Thomas is in the last year of his contract... That counts as a big contract? OK

Sam Carchidi ‏@BroadStBull
“@DatDudeMG: @BroadStBull are they practicing tday?” Doesn't look like it.

Bring Murray up now!

I agree with what you are saying but it wouldn't take a poop load to get a bernier or bishop type. I think Ottawa only gave up a 2nd round pick to get bishop.
- SMS4016

Los Angeles is asking, at the very least, a 1st rounder for Bernier. At least according to reports. He's 24 and has 52 games of experience, and they'll have to give him a raise in July.

Bishop was acquired for a second rounder. He's played 29 NHL games and is 26 years of age. I hardly call him a proven young goalie. In fact, last year, playing behind a tight checking Ottawa team, he put up numbers identical to Bryz, behind the Flyers' shaky defense.

He's played even better this yea, but again, with Spezza and Karlsson out, the Sens are trapping even moreso than they did last year.

If somebody comes up with a good answer, I'm totally onboard with a buyout.

And I am very concerned with the recapture possibility if he should retire early, as well as the length of the deal. I'm not dismissing that, at all.
- Jsaquella

understandable and agree

Los Angeles is asking, at the very least, a 1st rounder for Bernier. At least according to reports. He's 24 and has 52 games of experience, and they'll have to give him a raise in July.

Bishop was acquired for a second rounder. He's played 29 NHL games and is 26 years of age. I hardly call him a proven young goalie. In fact, last year, playing behind a tight checking Ottawa team, he put up numbers identical to Bryz, behind the Flyers' shaky defense.

He's played even better this yea, but again, with Spezza and Karlsson out, the Sens are trapping even moreso than they did last year.
- Jsaquella

cue the system debate.

Because Tim Thomas is in the last year of his contract... That counts as a big contract? OK
- phillydentist

When i need a route canal i will contact you sir, JK man, take it easy...in case you havent noticed everyone is a little nutty around here...sit back and enjoy the hilarity around here......

There is really no such thing as having too much talent to go to a defense first philosophy. Play better team defense, and it will open up the offensive floddgates.
- MJL

I don't want them to turn into the Rangers. Nobody can score.

Because Tim Thomas is in the last year of his contract... That counts as a big contract? OK
- phillydentist

$5mm is a fairly significant deal, only $667K less in cap hit than Bryzgalov.

He's also not playing this year, so the sole reason his deal was acquired was to stay above the floor, which was your question. If you want to change the question after it's been answered, then kindly take a second to answer the question I asked you.

Because Tim Thomas is in the last year of his contract... That counts as a big contract? OK
- phillydentist

It answered perfectly you question of a team making a trade to reach the floor.

Tim Thomas is in the last year of his contract... Right, that's just like Bryz and his remaining 8 years...

So we have to wait 7 more years to trade Bryz?
- phillydentist

Nope. Give me an alternative and I'll be more than happy to agree with you on buying him out.

It answered perfectly you question of a team making a trade to reach the floor.
- Scoob

I asked for an example of a team that traded for a BIG CONTRACT...

Nope. Give me an alternative and I'll be more than happy to agree with you on buying him out.
- Jsaquella

Bernier...

i love briere like a son but he was maddening last night. time 2 go
- Crimsoninja

I expressed before that against teams that are blanketing in their defensive play or grind out wins he is ineffective, hence the last two playoff losses to Nj and Boston. If his contract wasn't so huge I'd rather keep him. IF they can get some value in a trade fine but otherwise might as well ride it out unless they need the space to sign G and co.

at this time Bryz is far from the problem. As JS has pointed out...say Homer does buy him out...who do they get to replace him...i would stick with bryz
- phi1671

Umm we have leighton / boosh! Go with them. They did after all get us to game 6 of finals!!! Nevermind pronger/Richards/Carter or anyone else on that 2010 team.

Then who do you replace him with? It's an easy question.

If you go the FA route, you're likely paying another questionable guy similar money. If you got with a trade, you're giving up assets to replace him & likely paying a significant cap hit as well. If you get a younger, unproven guy, the cap hit is less, but you're again trading assets and it's possible the kid falters.

So, who do you replace him with? Just saying to get rid of him and worry about it later isn't a good answer.
- Jsaquella

I'd have replaced him with Bobrovsky. He may not be any better than Bryz at this time but he's not any worse either :p. He's 9 years younger and improving with a much friendlier cap hit. I'd rather take my chances with a 24 year old improving rather than a 31 year old . Then again the Ducks just signed a 30 year old rookie goaltender to a pricy 2 year extension so who knows.

Realistically though I think the Flyers have to stick with Bryz the next few years, boom or bust at this point. Bryz is a decent tender when he's on a good defensive team (he's played with All-Stars on defense up until he joined the Flyers) but he's simply not a tender who can carry a poor defensive team.

If you don't buy him out by 2014, you are stuck with him for the rest of his contract. He is untradeable with that contract. That outweighs anything else you can say. PERIOD.
- phillydentist

And it seems to me that you are omitting one variable. That the Flyers are "stuck" with a very good Goalie for the rest of his contract.

cue the system debate.
- JoeRussomanno

Nope. It's actually a valid point. People want to tout Bishop and Bernier, while ignoring what Bryzgalov has done over his career.

The Flyers got further with guys like Esche, Leighton and Boucher because they played far more sound team defense than they are playing in front of Bryzgalov.

Maybe in 2014 Vancouver will have bought out Luongo and he'll be available at a reasonable price, and for a reasonable amount of time. I don't see what team will want to trade for his current terrible contract. It's even worse than Bryzgalov's.

Nope. It's actually a valid point. People want to tout Bishop and Bernier, while ignoring what Bryzgalov has done over his career.

The Flyers got further with guys like Esche, Leighton and Boucher because they played far more sound team defense than they are playing in front of Bryzgalov.
- Jsaquella

Yup.

Umm we have leighton / boosh! Go with them. They did after all get us to game 6 of finals!!! Nevermind pronger/Richards/Carter or anyone else on that 2010 team.
- SMS4016

That 2010 team was deep but it also got an incredible performance from Leighton. To ignore that he was essential is just as bad as ignoring the depth of the team.

I asked for an example of a team that traded for a BIG CONTRACT...
- phillydentist

And you received an answer.

I'm assuming that was not the answer you were looking for so now everyone must find another example or else you'll claim that we're wrong, and you're right.

Correct?