does anyone think if we had Bobrovsky, Leighton, Boucher and I'll even go as far as Emery, in net last week against Pitt, that we win that game? I don't. Bryzgalov isn't probably even a top 10 goalie, but he's good enough to win big games. Most likely won't win a vezina but he's far from the issue which hinders this team.
- JoeRussomanno

Know what I'd like to see? How Bryzgalov looks with a solid team game played in front of him.

So if Bryz's deal was for 8 years you'd be ok with it?
- NickTheKid87

It's called Sarchasm. Obviously, you never been there.

It's called Sarchasm. Obviously, you never been there.
- phillydentist

Shorter deal = higher cap hit. That's why they give guys long deals in the first place. You're not going to get a better goalie than Bryz with a cap hit less than $6 or $7 million.

Know what I'd like to see? How Bryzgalov looks with a solid team game played in front of him.
- MJL

People thought PHX was not solid but how did Mike Smith do with them last year?

What other goalie in 2014 will be 34 with six years left on a $5.67m a year contract?
- Feanor

off the top of my head, Luongo is one, Backstrom has one now as does Kiprusoff and Khabibulin has quite a few years left and he's 40.

Shorter deal = higher cap hit. That's why they give guys long deals in the first place. You're not going to get a better goalie than Bryz with a cap hit less than $6 or $7 million.
- NickTheKid87

It's the contract length that bothers me. It makes him untradeable.

Know what I'd like to see? How Bryzgalov looks with a solid team game played in front of him.
- MJL

we saw that last march for like a week.

Hot air balloons rule!

It's the contract length that bothers me. It makes him untradeable.
- phillydentist

yet luongo's name has been burning up the rumor mill the past offseason up until a few weeks ago when the second coming of christ fell flat to start the season,

And that's fine as long as you don't sign that vet to a 9 yr deal.
- phillydentist

And what if that is what the market will bear?

Most UFA goalies who would be considered good starters are looking for a long term, stable deal. Remember how great a signing Thomas Voukon was for the Caps? He lasted one year and now he's a back up in Pittsburgh.

What good is signing, say Jimmy Howard, to a 5 year deal for $5mm, rather than having Bryzgalov on a 7 year deal for $667K more per year?

off the top of my head, Luongo is one, Backstrom has one now as does Kiprusoff and Khabibulin has quite a few years left and he's 40.
- JoeRussomanno

Lack of reading comprehension is a plague on this board.

Know what I'd like to see? How Bryzgalov looks with a solid team game played in front of him.
- MJL

Are you suggesting the Flyers trade Bryzgalov to the Blackhawks?

OK.

Bernier has 52 games of NHL experience and has never been a full time starter. Yes, he is highly regarded, but still very unproven. The reported asking price is a 1st rounder plus.

So they buy out Bryzgalov, trade the first rounder that might be in the top 5, and get Bernier. What happens if he turns out to be Brian Boucher? In the summer of 2000, everyone was so sure that we finally had the next Pelle or Hexy.

It's definitely a gamble, not that I'm against it, but you'd need to add Bernier and a solid vet to ride with him, in case he falters.
- Jsaquella

And in the meantime you can use cap space to get another needed piece. If bernier doesn't work you can move on. No big contract with years to pay for like with bryz.

Shorter deal = higher cap hit. That's why they give guys long deals in the first place. You're not going to get a better goalie than Bryz with a cap hit less than $6 or $7 million.
- NickTheKid87

The cap is going down, and the max contract length for free agents is only seven years now. Bryz was signed to a foolishly long contract under the old rules, just like Luongo.

The Daily News/Inq column by Marcus Hayes on JVRs return last night.

I always read Marcus Hayes when he writes about hockey because the only thing he knows about hockey is the insider gossip crap he hears around the beat. He'll put stuff in print that other writers just cackle to each other about. Makes him feel important and amuses me.
- mayorofangrytown

what a pompous mother(frank)er

It's the contract length that bothers me. It makes him untradeable.
- phillydentist

I understand that. I'm not a fan of Bryz's contract either but if the alternative is going back to a Biron-Niittymaki type tandem or trading top level assets for an unknown commodity, you have to keep him. He's the best value of the lot.

Lack of reading comprehension is a plague on this board.
- phillydentist

evidently self reflection isn't

And what if that is what the market will bear?

Most UFA goalies who would be considered good starters are looking for a long term, stable deal. Remember how great a signing Thomas Voukon was for the Caps? He lasted one year and now he's a back up in Pittsburgh.

What good is signing, say Jimmy Howard, to a 5 year deal for $5mm, rather than having Bryzgalov on a 7 year deal for $667K more per year?
- Jsaquella

The market doesn't bear 9 yr deals for goalies. Holmgren outbid himself. We all know it. Don't give me Rick Dipietro who was much younger and signed under a different cap era.

The cap is going down, and the max contract length for free agents is only seven years now. Bryz was signed to a foolishly long contract under the old rules, just like Luongo.
- Feanor

True, but you'll still see a lot of 7 year (8 if they're re-signing) deals to lessen the cap hit.

Bernier is the answer!!!!!!!!!!!

Trollalalalalalalaalala

People thought PHX was not solid but how did Mike Smith do with them last year?
- phillydentist

Phoenix under Tippet is known for playing a solid team game. That is how they've had some success even with a lack of overall talent.

True, but you'll still see a lot of 7 year (8 if they're re-signing) deals to lessen the cap hit.
- NickTheKid87

For young forwards and dmen, not over 30 goalies...

It's the contract length that bothers me. It makes him untradeable.
- phillydentist

That only matters if you need to trade him.

off the top of my head, Luongo is one, Backstrom has one now as does Kiprusoff and Khabibulin has quite a few years left and he's 40.
- JoeRussomanno

Backstrom and Khabibulin are free agents after this year, Kiprusoff only has one year left on his deal.

Luongo will probably be bought out because no one wants to trade for him and be on the hook until 2022.

Phoenix under Tippet is known for playing a solid team game. That is how they've had some success even with a lack of overall talent.
- MJL

Maybe Tippet is what the Flyers need then? LOL