quick who is better -> Rasmus Ristolainen or darnell nurse?
- Philly1980

Ristolainen is ranked ahead of Nurse according to ISS (8th vs. 10th) but I've seen some mock drafts that vary.

Adam Kimmelman & Mike Morreale of NHL.com have Ristolainen going 5th and Nurse 11th (to the Flyers) but Steven Hoffner of NHL.com has Nurse going 6th and Ristolainen going 30th.

MyNHLDraft.com does a consensus ranking and has Nurse at 9th and Ristolainen at 11th.

What exactly are these ridiculous expectations you speak of? I don't recall one person ever saying in here this team was a cup contender. We all expected playoffs, but then we expect that every season.

Some of you need to slow your rolls when it comes to over stating your cases trying to prove some non existent argument.
- MBFlyerfan

The expectation every year is to be a cup contender. That's not just the playoffs. That's a legit chance to challenge for the cup. Mr. Snider himself would agree with that. We swung for the fences last summer and whiffed. Now we are paying the price.

His system is a system that needs two things. The proper mix of players. And it needs to have a very high level of effort, energy, and skating to be effective. It's very difficult for any team to play that way long term. That is why it is sink or swim with Laviolette. Most good Coaches are adaptable and make adjustments to their personel. And the best systems are multi faceted. Laviolette's is not. There is only one element to it that is key. And that is ultra aggressive posture all over ther ice, especially on the forecheck. This team can't play that way and the players know it.
- MJL

He should have tailored it to the shortened season...No way can these guys play like that every other night.

I think the cap recapture penalty would play a role in their decision. If he retires with 4 years, 3 years, 2 years or a year left on the deal, they'd have a dead cap hit of $3.625 million for 4 years, $3 million for 3 years, $1.75 million for 2 years or $1.25 million for a year, respectively.
- NickTheKid87

This team and management doesn't think 6 year down the road. They think about right now and the imediate future. If they're happy with Bryzgalov's level of play and believe in him going forward, they won't think twice about that Cap recapture penalty. Right or wrong, that is how they operate.

Ristolainen is ranked ahead of Nurse according to ISS (8th vs. 10th) but I've seen some mock drafts that vary.

Adam Kimmelman & Mike Morreale of NHL.com have Ristolainen going 5th and Nurse 11th (to the Flyers) but Steven Hoffner of NHL.com has Nurse going 6th and Ristolainen going 30th.

MyNHLDraft.com does a consensus ranking and has Nurse at 9th and Ristolainen at 11th.
- NickTheKid87

if you were homer who would you pick....

Anthony SanFilippo ‏@AnthonySan37
The #Flyers have reassigned Tye McGinn to the #ADKPhantoms today. #NHL

I don't think it's asking alot to ask your highly compensated goaltender to make a stop or two in a big spot.

Let's stop acting like we're asking Bryz to do us a favor by stopping breakaways. He's a goaltender. It's part of his job and he's horrible at it.

As a fan, I would like to see Bryz succeed as much as anyone, but you've got to be realistic about this guy as a player. No, he's not the main reason they are in this mess. And for awhile, he was part of the solution. Now that his play has trailed off (and it has), it's very noticeable.
- johndewar

So you think that it's just the Goalies responsibility to stop breakaways, point blank chances from uncovered players, two on one's due to bad line changes, turnovers, and poor coverage and defensive positioning? How about reducing the frequency in which these issues happen, and see how the Goalie does?

Anthony SanFilippo ‏@AnthonySan37
The #Flyers have reassigned Tye McGinn to the #ADKPhantoms today. #NHL
- Philly1980

Think that's a precursor to something else?

He should have tailored it to the shortened season...No way can these guys play like that every other night.
- Philly1980

that's nice. bryz hasn't been good enuf- period. if an alternative is available, he's out. it might take another season, but i think he'll be bought out either way.
- isaiah520

This is what you're hoping will happen, because you made up your mind on the player a long time ago. You can state that's nice all you want. But it's a fact that those issues I stated are having a huge effect on the Goalie's play. Ignore it all you want, but it's a much bigger issue then Bryzgalov is.

Think that's a precursor to something else?
- FlyersGrace

I dont know..i thought the kid played pretty well.

if you were homer who would you pick....
- Philly1980

If I had to choose, Ristolainen because Nurse is Donovan McNabb's nephew and that would ruin his life in Philly.

If I had to choose, Ristolainen because Nurse is Donovan McNabb's nephew and that would ruin his life in Philly.
- NickTheKid87

pretty much

This team and management doesn't think 6 year down the road. They think about right now and the imediate future. If they're happy with Bryzgalov's level of play and believe in him going forward, they won't think twice about that Cap recapture penalty. Right or wrong, that is how they operate.
- MJL

That's true. It'll be interesting to see how things play out.

Anthony SanFilippo ‏@AnthonySan37
The #Flyers have reassigned Tye McGinn to the #ADKPhantoms today. #NHL
- Philly1980

they can do that while he is hurt?

This is what you're hoping will happen, because you made up your mind on the player a long time ago. You can state that's nice all you want. But it's a fact that those issues I stated are having a huge effect on the Goalie's play. Ignore it all you want, but it's a much bigger issue then Bryzgalov is.
- MJL

pretty much...

Ilya Bryzgalov has been largely unable for the last month to make momentum saves against good teams. His season save percentage has now slipped below 90 percent, and that's flat out nowhere near good enough (especially after his strong start in January). Last night, he was shielded in the first period, but was there EVER any confidence that he'd come up with anything but the most routine of saves against that power-packed Pittsburgh lineup?

I dont know..i thought the kid played pretty well.
- Philly1980

So do I, but maybe that measn Homer is freeing up some room on the big club for moves. Although we "should" be cautious sellers at the trade deadline but with Homer who knows what is going to happen!

Just leave me Grossmann! It's his jersey I want next. And that man has played his heart out for us...

Think that's a precursor to something else?
- FlyersGrace

Simon Gagne has been filling that role well enough to let McGinn go to ADK and play bigger minutes and further his development. Knuble is around as a spare forward/big body.

So do I, but maybe that measn Homer is freeing up some room on the big club for moves. Although we "should" be cautious sellers at the trade deadline but with Homer who knows what is going to happen!

Just leave me Grossmann! It's his jersey I want next. And that man has played his heart out for us...
- FlyersGrace

he has...I just think they need to trade danny and kimmo. im sure they can get picks/prosepects for both. not sure that either would be wiling to waive... i think home jumped the gun on the kimmo signing and should have waited a little.

Simon Gagne has been filling that role well enough to let McGinn go to ADK and play bigger minutes and further his development. Knuble is around as a spare forward/big body.
- johndewar

That makes sense. I should have thought of it myself. Thanks!
And yeah hopefully he can go down and shake off any impact getting hurt in that fight had for him...

pretty much...

Ilya Bryzgalov has been largely unable for the last month to make momentum saves against good teams. His season save percentage has now slipped below 90 percent, and that's flat out nowhere near good enough (especially after his strong start in January). Last night, he was shielded in the first period, but was there EVER any confidence that he'd come up with anything but the most routine of saves against that power-packed Pittsburgh lineup?
- isaiah520

I think his shakiness can be attributed to the huge breakdowns in front of him over and over and over. It's one thing for him to face a 2-on-1 once or twice a game in a few games. But it seems like he's facing odd man rushes/plays resulting from defensive breakdowns at least 4 or 5 times every game. He seems to overcompensate by cheating one way or the other because he thinks the defense (forwards included) won't be there to clear the crease.

Just speculation on my part but seems like a sound explanation, IMO.

Where is Knuble?
- Flyersgod

Cote Suite

Think that's a precursor to something else?
- FlyersGrace

Possible conditioning stint.

I think his shakiness can be attributed to the huge breakdowns in front of him over and over and over. It's one thing for him to face a 2-on-1 once or twice a game in a few games. But it seems like he's facing odd man rushes/plays resulting from defensive breakdowns at least 4 or 5 times every game. He seems to overcompensate by cheating one way or the other because he thinks the defense (forwards included) won't be there to clear the crease.

Just speculation on my part but seems like a sound explanation, IMO.
- NickTheKid87

it sure would be a lot easier to move forward w/ projections about where the team is going w/ bryz as a solid piece going forward, but unless he dramatically upgrades his performance, an objective read of the situation clearly shows he hasn't been worth it and it may be time to move on.

pretty much...

Ilya Bryzgalov has been largely unable for the last month to make momentum saves against good teams. His season save percentage has now slipped below 90 percent, and that's flat out nowhere near good enough (especially after his strong start in January). Last night, he was shielded in the first period, but was there EVER any confidence that he'd come up with anything but the most routine of saves against that power-packed Pittsburgh lineup?
- isaiah520

You can re-quote that from Bill's blog all you want. And he isn't saying what you want him to be saying there. I would guarantee that Bill would consider all the factors involved that have led to the current situation. Bryzgalov is not Dominik Hasek. He is not at the level where he can stand on his head, game in and game out, and perform miracles to keep the team in the game. It is a team game. And it requires team play, and team defense to be played.