The trouble is, you could probably get the same level of goaltending for a lot less cash. Granted you don't get the guy with the level of success Bryzgalov had, especially in Phoenix, but right now, the Flyers style of play, combined with the poor execution what does it matter?

They're paying Ferrari prices for a Corvette and using it to plow parking lots.
- Jsaquella

there's no question that the rest of the season is a trial period for bryz. they will likely give him another yr, but it's no where near a lock.

Yes sir. Excellent point. The caliber of play from the goaltender doesn't match the cap hit. That being said, they are also getting far less bang for their buck from other high paid players like Timonen and Briere to name a few.
- PLindbergh31

Well, you have a team that plays undisciplined and poor on defense, you have slower defensemen that are not the greatest puck movers, you have a goalie who put up fantastic numbers behind a tight checking system.

So obviously, you run a hunt the puck system that relies on mobile defensemen or at least on ones who can move the puck well, and can be exposed by an aggressive forecheck.

Blame the coach for not adjusting, blame the GM for not doing a better job getting him the pieces, Hell, blame the owner for meddling and forcing the GM to make aggressive moves every summer.

But the constant chasing of other teams needs to stop. You can't be Phoenix's tight checking trap system, combined with NJ's aggressive forecheck, combined with Chicago's firepower and Boston's physical game.

Boston at home and their ability to play two way hockey is going to give the Flyers fits today.
- stveshdy

I have a feeling the Flyers will play a strong game today, doesn't mean they will win, but I think they will play well. They understand the season is on the line.

If they come out and get knocked around from pillar to post, it says they have thrown the towel in.

I have a feeling the Flyers will play a strong game today, doesn't mean they will win, but I think they will play well. They understand the season is on the line.

If they come out and get knocked around from pillar to post, it says they have thrown the towel in.
- PLindbergh31

If they get ragdolled, or if they have a strong start then really blow it, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a firing. Just a gut feeling.

That assumes that if there was a different backup, Bryzgalov would've played less. Which I think is more forum flatulence then the reality of if Bryzgalov get's hurt them it won't matter anyway, or the other statement.
- MJL

the fact is, lavy had no margin for error

I didn't comprehend the Leighton signing. Why must the Flyers constantly re-cycle the same guys?
- PLindbergh31

Especially after he screwed them over by not revealing his injury before resigning last time. He deliberately withheld that injury in order to get paid and then the flyers sign him again?

Well, you have a team that plays undisciplined and poor on defense, you have slower defensemen that are not the greatest puck movers, you have a goalie who put up fantastic numbers behind a tight checking system.

So obviously, you run a hunt the puck system that relies on mobile defensemen or at least on ones who can move the puck well, and can be exposed by an aggressive forecheck.

Blame the coach for not adjusting, blame the GM for not doing a better job getting him the pieces, Hell, blame the owner for meddling and forcing the GM to make aggressive moves every summer.

But the constant chasing of other teams needs to stop. You can't be Phoenix's tight checking trap system, combined with NJ's aggressive forecheck, combined with Chicago's firepower and Boston's physical game.
- Jsaquella

I hear you. Plenty of blame to go around. Still basically half a season left, a lot can still happen. Let this season play out and there will be plenty of time to make decisions on what happens going forward.

Ottawa minus Spezza, Karlsson, and Anderson beat the Rags again.

12-1-1 in their last 14 games at MSG. (frank)ing Tortorella's skull on the regular.
- PLindbergh31

I watched that game yesterday. You know what, the Sens have a damn good team without those guys. They have good team speed, are hungry for the puck, go hard to the net, and play a very disciplined team D.

With Karlsson they would be one of the top teams in the East.

OK, back to Flyers doom and gloom.

the fact is, lavy had no margin for error
- isaiah520

You would have to explain what exactly that means.

I didn't comprehend the Leighton signing. Why must the Flyers constantly re-cycle the same guys?
- PLindbergh31

kinda like signing marty murray and mark cullen and calling it a day...auto pilot

Maybe you could on about half a dozen games or so that Bryzgalov has played. But overall, and in a lot of games where Bryzgalov was the team's best player, you wouldn't get the same level for a lot less cash.
- MJL

I think Bryz's numbers would be much better if they made adjustments, but they're obviously not willing to do that.

Sometimes it looks as if they're trying to give maximum exposure to the weak areas of his game.

If they get ragdolled, or if they have a strong start then really blow it, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a firing. Just a gut feeling.
- BulliesPhan87

You could be right. I would make changes at seasons end if need be. I don't like the idea of interim coaches.

Especially after he screwed them over by not revealing his injury before resigning last time. He deliberately withheld that injury in order to get paid and then the flyers sign him again?
- Flyers_01

Maybe the Flyers know the facts behind that, and think that he didn't screw them over. That was more something that was overblown by the fans more then anything else.

Well, you have a team that plays undisciplined and poor on defense, you have slower defensemen that are not the greatest puck movers, you have a goalie who put up fantastic numbers behind a tight checking system.

So obviously, you run a hunt the puck system that relies on mobile defensemen or at least on ones who can move the puck well, and can be exposed by an aggressive forecheck.

Blame the coach for not adjusting, blame the GM for not doing a better job getting him the pieces, Hell, blame the owner for meddling and forcing the GM to make aggressive moves every summer.

But the constant chasing of other teams needs to stop. You can't be Phoenix's tight checking trap system, combined with NJ's aggressive forecheck, combined with Chicago's firepower and Boston's physical game.
- Jsaquella

sounds like the '77 Canadiens

I watched that game yesterday. You know what, the Sens have a damn good team without those guys. They have good team speed, are hungry for the puck, go hard to the net, and play a very disciplined team D.

With Karlsson they would be one of the top teams in the East.

OK, back to Flyers doom and gloom.
- Marc D

I agree. I like that Ottawa team a bunch. I will be in Ottawa in April when the Flyers play up there. I have a close friend who works for the Sens. I keep a close eye on that team.

Like you said, with Karlsson, that is a top team. Bishop and Lehner have played great since Anderson went down.

I watched that game yesterday. You know what, the Sens have a damn good team without those guys. They have good team speed, are hungry for the puck, go hard to the net, and play a very disciplined team D.

With Karlsson they would be one of the top teams in the East.

OK, back to Flyers doom and gloom.
- Marc D

Because they're a well coached and disciplined team that buys into what the coach is selling and they work their asses off.

Looking at next season on Capgeek, I am getting more and more convinced that the Flyers may indeed buy out Briere AND BRYZGALOV.

Homer will try to make a deal for Ray Emery or something similar. It depends on who is the coach. I am convinced it will NOT be Laviolette.

Its just a feeling, I have no factual basis for it.


- MBFlyerfan

Briere will surely be traded or bought out in the next few months. You can't have him taking up 10% of the Flyers cap in 13-14.

But I think they wait till summer 2014 to decide whether to buy out Bryz.

Maybe the Flyers know the facts behind that, and think that he didn't screw them over. That was more something that was overblown by the fans more then anything else.
- MJL

Backup goaltender is an important position for many reasons. You have seen the situation in Ottawa with Anderson. They have credible guys like Bishop and Lehner to hold down the fort.

If Boucher/Leighton were the backup in Ottawa, their season would be over already.

You could be right. I would make changes at seasons end if need be. I don't like the idea of interim coaches.
- PLindbergh31

I'd prefer, if hope seems lost, to get somebody in to start breaking bad habits now. The way I see it, there's two outlooks at that point:
A) The rest of the season is garbage time, and probably best utilized to instill said discipline, or
B) There's a sincere resolve to recover the season, but at this point the Flyers clearly don't have much of a shot under Laviolette.

I wouldn't mind if they went with an in house guy like Murray on the interim. Who knows what coaches become available in the offseason? Either way, after that Penguins loss I don't have much confidence.

I'd prefer, if hope seems lost, to get somebody in to start breaking bad habits now. The way I see it, there's two outlooks at that point:
A) The rest of the season is garbage time, and probably best utilized to instill said discipline, or
B) There's a sincere resolve to recover the season, but at this point the Flyers clearly don't have much of a shot under Laviolette.

I wouldn't mind if they went with an in house guy like Murray on the interim. Who knows what coaches become available in the offseason? Either way, after that Penguins loss I don't have much confidence.
- BulliesPhan87

Very fair points. Well stated. I guess my only opposition to bringing in an interim guy is if there is no improvement, then another coach is brought in to start the season next year. That is 3 different coaches in the course of a few months.

Briere will surely be traded or bought out in the next few months. You can't have him taking up 10% of the Flyers cap in 13-14.

But I think they wait till summer 2014 to decide whether to buy out Bryz.
- Feanor

Is it 1 or 2 buyouts that they are entitled to?

I have a feeling the Flyers will play a strong game today, doesn't mean they will win, but I think they will play well. They understand the season is on the line.

If they come out and get knocked around from pillar to post, it says they have thrown the towel in.
- PLindbergh31

I think the Bruins come out and set the tone. They score a couple quick goals and the Flyers will have to battle back. Problem is Boston plays solid defense and don't give the opponent much ice. I'm not confident at all. I think the Flyers lose another and its not close.

Very fair points. Well stated. I guess my only opposition to bringing in an interim guy is if there is no improvement, then another coach is brought in to start the season next year. That is 3 different coaches in the course of a few months.
- PLindbergh31

I have no problem with 3 coaches in the space of a few months.

I don't see them getting any better under Laviolette, so I see no reason to keep him. Also, if Murray can do a really good job, maybe he earns a shot at the gig full time. He's far from my first choice, but he's been a good coach for a long time.

I think the Bruins come out and set the tone. They score a couple quick goals and the Flyers will have to battle back. Problem is Boston plays solid defense and don't give the opponent much ice. I'm not confident at all. I think the Flyers lose another and its not close.
- stveshdy

Marchand is going to light the D up today for sure.

Is it 1 or 2 buyouts that they are entitled to?
- section32

Every team gets two compliance buyouts to exercise by the summer of 2014.

Use them or lose them.