People seemed to forget that buffalo series when bob was blown out of the water....he told them he was overwhelmed....if you cant play and have your head on straight when it means the most then you are just another cechmanek lol
- Philly1980

Cechmanek was hung out to dry by the team, not the other way around. He was a head case but he's the best goalie to play for the Flyers in 20 years. He called the team out in the playoffs for playing historically bad. The skaters on that team set a historical record for being bad in the playoffs. Goaltending was not a problem.

Bob against Buffalo. Saved 24 of 25 shots in game one. Yea, that was the goalie's fault. He let in 3 goals in game 2 and wasn't seen until the next round.

On top of that Bob spoke no English and was having trouble communicating with his defensemen because of that. He worked on his English.

Bob had his issues his first year. Different size ice surface, new country, didn't speak the language and had trouble communicated with team mates, unexpected starter.

He did extremely well under the circumstances and kudos to him for being honest and not hurting his team by lying to the coach.

Bryz let in 8 goals in the first 2 games of the Pens series last year. I think he averaged 4 goals against a game that series and yet he can't be questioned.

You are holding a rookie goaltender to far higher standards than the 10 year vet goaltender.

Agreed.

By the entire team.

Stop allowing them!!!!
- Scoob

Limiting the number would certainly help. But also Bryzgalov must improve in shootouts as well. Valuable points are pissed away constantly. Not so much this year, but in the past.

Now because there is an out, they're all of a sudden going to be uncomfortable with the contract? They could care less that he is the most polarizing athlete in Philly. And I doubt they care about he Cap reformulation penalty. They care about one thing. And that's his play on the ice.
- MJL

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.

every time one of the guys traded away gets hot everyone pines for that player and as soon as they come back to earth everyone jumps back off.

I'm no expert but I don't like Briere on the wing and I also prefer Schenn at center. Something has to give
- nastyflyergirl

Briere just seems to float around in his own world out there. His production points wise isn't terrible, but overall he hasn't played well at all. Will miss him in the playoffs, but I think it's time to move on from him.

People seemed to forget that buffalo series when bob was blown out of the water....he told them he was overwhelmed....if you cant play and have your head on straight when it means the most then you are just another cechmanek lol
- Philly1980

Yeah but that understandable. Bob no speaka English. No playa north America. New country new arenas. But the one thing everYone could see was his raw talent. He will trend upward. I'm not saying he's the next pelle but personally when we went young ( rebuild in truth) would haVe loved to see bob grow with them. We couldn't be much worse then we are now. And as we see bob have tightened things up nicely.

If you think Bryz is on the list of top five issues with this team I automatically dismiss your opinion.
- Scoob

He's not at all, but he can't play in this system. He seems like a goalie with no confidence in his team. He cheats on shots and looks like a guy who's over compensating at times. This might not be true but something is wrong with him. He doesn't look sharp, regardless of statistics. I know he has the talent but he's not being put in a situation to succeed.

Limiting the number would certainly help. But also Bryzgalov must improve in shootouts as well. Valuable points are pissed away constantly. Not so much this year, but in the past.
- PLindbergh31

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.

Cechmanek was hung out to dry by the team, not the other way around. He was a head case but he's the best goalie to play for the Flyers in 20 years. He called the team out in the playoffs for playing historically bad. The skaters on that team set a historical record for being bad in the playoffs. Goaltending was not a problem.

Bob against Buffalo. Saved 24 of 25 shots in game one. Yea, that was the goalie's fault. He let in 3 goals in game 2 and wasn't seen until the next round.

On top of that Bob spoke no English and was having trouble communicating with his defensemen because of that. He worked on his English.

Bob had his issues his first year. Different size ice surface, new country, didn't speak the language and had trouble communicated with team mates, unexpected starter.

He did extremely well under the circumstances and kudos to him for being honest and not hurting his team by lying to the coach.

Bryz let in 8 goals in the first 2 games of the Pens series last year. I think he averaged 4 goals against a game that series and yet he can't be questioned.

You are holding a rookie goaltender to far higher standards than the 10 year vet goaltender.
- Flyers_01

Awesome post. Homer is going to have a hard time ever justifying the Bob trade. There was no need to move him at the time he did.

Let's look at a Goalies SV%. Does anyone think that if the Flyers elimnated or at least lessened the constant point blank chances from unchecked opponents. The bad line changes leading to breakaways, and 2 on 1's. The failed clears leading to extended zone time, and either more defensive breakdowns, or a penalty leading to a PP. Would have an effect on the Goalies SV%? Do you think it would go up or down?
So to summarize, I'll wait until the team plays solid team defense and a solid team game before just blindly looking at his SV% in determining he is a buyout candidate. And see how he plays in a situation where he doesn't have to stand on his head and perform miracles for the team to win game in and game out.
- MJL

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.

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

Can't argue with any of this. I agree with you.

Briere just seems to float around in his own world out there. His production points wise isn't terrible, but overall he hasn't played well at all. Will miss him in the playoffs, but I think it's time to move on from him.
- PLindbergh31

Analysis of Brieres play with the puck

1. Skate in to the offensive zone
2. Slam on the breaks
3. Look to make pass
4. Turn puck over

People seemed to forget that buffalo series when bob was blown out of the water....he told them he was overwhelmed....if you cant play and have your head on straight when it means the most then you are just another cechmanek lol
- Philly1980

bob was a kid who was rushed and overwhelmed by the moment.

The coach's "system" has worked in the past why isn't it working now?
- Dkos

They don't have the appropriate pieces for it like they had in the past (which is on Holmgren). You can run an up tempo system with a defensive core of Pronger-Carle, Timonen-Coburn, Meszaros-6th dman as well as a version of Danny Briere who is effective but not with 3 stay at home guys, a beat up vet and a few plugs, more or less.

Bryz is untradeable right now, IMO. And The Kings would want at least a 1st for Bernier which is no good. Laughton isn't a great prospect either.
- NickTheKid87

I do think laughton has some value...I

Awesome post. Homer is going to have a hard time ever justifying the Bob trade. There was no need to move him at the time he did.
- The_Universe

Bob was done once they signed Bryzgalov. He was not going to get a chance to start, nor could they justify starting him while paying a back-up $51 million.

There is zero margin of error right now. Can't afford to start Boucher/Leighton. Blame the GM for not having a legit backup to start the season.
- PLindbergh31

An argument can be made that the Flyers can't afford not to start Boucher or Leighton. If you are of the camp that Bryz is overworked then the Flyers are losing games anyway by starting Bryz so much.

For example : Start bryz the rest of the way and go .500. 10 of 20 games.

or

Start Leighton for 5 games and play Bryz for 15. A rejuvinated Bryz wins 11 of 15 of his remaining starts while Leighton goes 1-4. You gain 2 games in the standings.

The coach's "system" has worked in the past why isn't it working now?
- Dkos

Because bryz is no cam ward

Concerning Bobrovsky...

With Columbus now moving to the same division/conference as the Flyers, or whatever the hell they are calling it...
That trade has all the makings of one that has the potential to haunt this franchise.

Bobrovsky is playing lights out hockey right now. A .919 save % with that current talent level surrounding him? Are you kidding me?

And I don't want to hear how Columbus plays defense, the other goalie there Mason has a disgusting .897 save %.

A prime example of the Organization giving up too quickly on a player.

I do think laughton has some value...I
- Philly1980

I don't think he's worthless, but I see him more as a deal sweetener than a guy you base a trade around. He's only projected to be a John Madden type player, which isn't bad, but that won't net you top level guys for the most part.

Briere just seems to float around in his own world out there. His production points wise isn't terrible, but overall he hasn't played well at all. Will miss him in the playoffs, but I think it's time to move on from him.
- PLindbergh31

if Briere's cap hit was 3 million I would not have issues with him....well not great issues. but at 6.5 its just killer

its funny, G was first star last night and I kinda stratched my head at that. Yes, he score a goal and played ok but he also was the reason why the shorty against happened and hearing he was the one who didn't come on when Briere changed just reiterates my scratching my head

Concerning Bobrovsky...

With Columbus now moving to the same division/conference as the Flyers, or whatever the hell they are calling it...
That trade has all the makings of one that has the potential to haunt this franchise.

Bobrovsky is playing lights out hockey right now. A .919 save % with that current talent level surrounding him? Are you kidding me?

And I don't want to hear how Columbus plays defense, the other goalie there Mason has a disgusting .897 save %.
- PLindbergh31

Originally, I was in favor of signing a stopgap and developing Bob but once they signed Bryz, Bob's days were number. Don't particularly agree with that but what's done is done.

Bob was done once they signed Bryzgalov. He was not going to get a chance to start, nor could they justify starting him while paying a back-up $51 million.
- NickTheKid87

Bob couldnt handle the pressure of the playoffs. He was horrible and played scared.

Bob was done once they signed Bryzgalov. He was not going to get a chance to start, nor could they justify starting him while paying a back-up $51 million.
- NickTheKid87

I don't understand why Bob couldn't be the back up? His cap hit really wasn't that bad. It would've been better to trade him when someone came calling. Not when Homer made it obvious he wanted to trade him.

I do think laughton has some value...I
- Philly1980

this draft is going to be very interesting for Homer, you know he will be itchin to make trades and he has traded some big names in the past?

Analysis of Brieres play with the puck

1. Skate in to the offensive zone
2. Slam on the breaks
3. Look to make pass
4. Turn puck over
- The_Universe

I still can't believe he went to the bench last night and noone came on for him.