I agree with every point you've made about Lavy. I put the majority of the onus on the GM...he's done some wonderful things with the players he has brought in (Voracek, Simmonds, Read, B. Schenn, and Couturier) but has made some questionable ones as well (Bryz, Gervais, Foster, etc). Yes he tried to get Suter and Weber, but came up empty. It happens, although rarely to the Flyers. Homer knows Lavy's "system" so get him players for it, not big slow non puck moving d-men!
- aantny88

Bryz was more on Snider in Homer's ear and Gervais and Foster were bandaids. Homer whiffed on Suter, thought he had Weber in the bag and let Carle walk (which was a good move given the contract he signed) but I still think he is a huge reason for the teams bright future.

It's very important to remember that this team is in the 2nd year of a pseudo-rebuild. I think the success they had last year and the 1st round playoff victory against the Pens gave most of us unrealistic expectations for this year.

I agree with every point you've made about Lavy. I put the majority of the onus on the GM...he's done some wonderful things with the players he has brought in (Voracek, Simmonds, Read, B. Schenn, and Couturier) but has made some questionable ones as well (Bryz, Gervais, Foster, etc). Yes he tried to get Suter and Weber, but came up empty. It happens, although rarely to the Flyers. Homer knows Lavy's "system" so get him players for it, not big slow non puck moving d-men!
- aantny88

Holmgren offered $200mm in contracts to the two best free agent defensemen on the market. Outside of clubbing them over the head, not sure what more he could have done.

Perhaps he could have re-signed Carle. Obviously he was looking at an upgrade. The Flyers have been scouting every team in the NHL and have been reportedly talking trade all over the place. I'm sure if Holmgren found a trade that wasn't a massive overpayment, they'd have found another puck mover.

At that point, it's incumbent on the coach to make changes. If he's stull running the system that worked with the 2010 team, then he IS at fault. I don't limit the fault to him by any stretch, but if he's given lemons, he must strive to make lemonade, not coffee.

And it kinda screws us in the offseason. Does he actually have to play to come off LTIR or is it just his and the team's decision?
- Jimmygrazz

i think he has to get medically cleared.

I think his ex-wife is still in the area though so the kids wouldn't have to go anywhere.
- NickTheKid87

But he has primary custody. Which would have to change if he were leaving the boys here. And she would want to have primary custody.

And it kinda screws us in the offseason. Does he actually have to play to come off LTIR or is it just his and the team's decision?
- Jimmygrazz

He has to be deemed healthy by the team/doctors and then he can be bought out.

I think holmgren would buy out his grandmother if he thought the cap space could go to acquiring a free agent that was better then briere...This is a business and briere knows that. he hasnt been playing up to the level he needs to play...i dont understand why he gets a free pass.
- Philly1980

Because Homer gave him one with a NMC, he can't go anywhere without his approval not even the minors

But he has primary custody. Which would have to change if he were leaving the boys here. And she would want to have primary custody.
- bodiva88

What about him playing in Germany though? Do we know how that worked? That's getting pretty personal though.

Because Homer gave him one with a NMC, he can't go anywhere without his approval not even the minors
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

He can get bought out.

He has to be deemed healthy by the team/doctors and then he can be bought out.
- NickTheKid87

you think they deem him healthy for one game...just so he can get bought out?

Weighing in the Bryz topic...I'm not a Bryz basher, but the reality for me is that I never really feel confident or safe with him. Maybe during that one stretch last year, but other than that he has not really been much different or better than the host of goalies we've rolled out since Pelle/Hexy(1st time around).

General question - Do you feel more confident with Bryz now vs. Cechmanek in his heydey here?
- TheGreat28

Of goalies who have started like 30 games a season he's put up best numbers I believe since esche. He's not an elite goalie that's for sure. I think if he stays the thing you can hang your hat in is the flyers got to game 6 of the finals with leightonbooshstein and lost to an borderline average performance in Niemi. At this point unless he pulls another player of the month march out of his ass, I won't be upset if he's bought out.

He doesn't exactly see a loss in ice time either.
- JoeRussomanno

He moved down to the fourth line. He certainly saw reduced ice time there. They needed him when Read went down.

Of goalies who have started like 30 games a season he's put up best numbers I believe since esche. He's not an elite goalie that's for sure. I think if he stays the thing you can hang your hat in is the flyers got to game 6 of the finals with leightonbooshstein and lost to an borderline average performance in Niemi. At this point unless he pulls another player of the month march out of his ass, I won't be upset if he's bought out.
- JoeRussomanno

I wouldn't be upset, but I'd be disappointed. I'd wait until summer 2014, when there's more feasible UFA candidates.

What about him playing in Germany though? Do we know how that worked? That's getting pretty personal though.
- NickTheKid87

True. They did stay with their mom then, I think. He considered taking them to Europe but decided their hockey would suffer.

you think they deem him healthy for one game...just so he can get bought out?
- Philly1980

No because if he wasn't healthy than that would be fraud and I'm sure the NHL would come done hard on the Flyers for that.

which is all the more puzzling when he pulled bryz in a 4-4 game with plenty of time left for boucher who's played all of 5 minutes this year against loaded penguins team. it was certain disaster. i lay 100% of that loss on him.
- hammarby31

That move was my breaking point. As you said earlier (last thread?), that was unfair to BOTH goalies.

Bryz was more on Snider in Homer's ear and Gervais and Foster were bandaids. Homer whiffed on Suter, thought he had Weber in the bag and let Carle walk (which was a good move given the contract he signed) but I still think he is a huge reason for the teams bright future.

It's very important to remember that this team is in the 2nd year of a pseudo-rebuild. I think the success they had last year and the 1st round playoff victory against the Pens gave most of us unrealistic expectations for this year.
- NickTheKid87

I agree wholeheartedly about the unrealistic expectations for this year. I think a lot of people expected players that had breakout years like G, Hartsy, and Talbot, along with the rookie success of Read, Couturier and B. Schenn (limited action) to replicate that. Unfortunately it hasn't happened. They aren't too far away from being a legit contender...a few pieces (dmen), let the young guys develop and it should be fun to watch!

you think they deem him healthy for one game...just so he can get bought out?
- Philly1980

The league would get involved I think. And considering his being on the record about his continued symptoms, unlikely. Also, doesn't he lose medical coverage if he's not under contract? Considering his continuing treatment, that's not small change. So I don't see him willing to be complicit in a coverup.

No because if he wasn't healthy than that would be fraud and I'm sure the NHL would come done hard on the Flyers for that.
- NickTheKid87

im sure NBC would come down hard on the NHL lol

He moved down to the fourth line. He certainly saw reduced ice time there. They needed him when Read went down.
- mayorofangrytown

Hmm how did I miss that We're talking about briere right?

Bryz was more on Snider in Homer's ear and Gervais and Foster were bandaids. Homer whiffed on Suter, thought he had Weber in the bag and let Carle walk (which was a good move given the contract he signed) but I still think he is a huge reason for the teams bright future.

It's very important to remember that this team is in the 2nd year of a pseudo-rebuild. I think the success they had last year and the 1st round playoff victory against the Pens gave most of us unrealistic expectations for this year.
- NickTheKid87

Not that much different from 2007-08 when they overachieved on expectations, setting up for "disappointment" when they couldn't get out of the 1st round in 2009 - mostly because of losses where they shot themselves in the foot.

True. They did stay with their mom then, I think. He considered taking them to Europe but decided their hockey would suffer.
- bodiva88

Hockey? What about their education?

Hmm how did I miss that We're talking about briere right?
- JoeRussomanno

Yep. As invisible as he's been, recently he's been invisible because he hasn't been getting a regular shift at even strength.

I agree wholeheartedly about the unrealistic expectations for this year. I think a lot of people expected players that had breakout years like G, Hartsy, and Talbot, along with the rookie success of Read, Couturier and B. Schenn (limited action) to replicate that. Unfortunately it hasn't happened. They aren't too far away from being a legit contender...a few pieces (dmen), let the young guys develop and it should be fun to watch!
- aantny88

schenn and voracek and simmonds are playing better...

Hockey? What about their education?
- Scoob

You think they don't have a great international school? They do. And the cultural exposure is something lots of ex pat parents think is good for kids.

Hockey? What about their education?
- Scoob

id rather have 7 million dollars a year then goto yale and make 30k when you graduate.