Exactly right in my opinion Scoob. It's very rare where Bryzgalov just has to play solidly, and make a lot of routine saves, with a few tough ones mixed in. The level of A quality chances that this team gives up on a game by game basis is staggering. There is no doubt that it has an effect on Bryzgalov. Both in terms of the results, and the mental aspects. When you feel you have to be the best player on the ice game in and game out, and stand on your head and perform miracles, that weighs on you. Anyone put into that situation, regardless of their profession, will be affected by it. Hockey is a team game. The key point in Bill's blog is that the Flyers forwards have never under Laviolette played well defensively since he's been here. That is by far the single biggest issue with this team. Fix that, and it solves a bunch of problems.
- MJL

bingo. bongo.

that's a fair point. kinda points to the decision to sign leighton. i understand moving bob, but maybe we coulda aimed higher for a b/u.
- isaiah520

I think they fully intended to play Bryz as much as they have but I'm sure he's made 1 or 2 starts that he otherwise wouldn't have if they had a better back-up.

Briere for Morrow !
- ob18

Sounds promising Clouts, we may have to add though.

What about trading him for a Ryan Smyth? Briere would look good in Edmonton and Ryan Smyth could give you guys some grit even though he's getting pretty old.
- Orpik44

we don't really need a gritty forward ... we need D.

I personally see it as more of a mental fatigue, then a physical fatigue.
- MJL

i think it's both. mental part for sure. pressure, etc. when you are physically tired, you make mental mistakes - misread plays and so on. it's all connected. he's played a lot of minutes, a lot of back to backs, and a lot of quality chances. cumulative thing. especially when things are starting to go south it's easy for the downward spiral to gain steam.

bingo. bongo.
- hammarby31

That's part of why I am so in favor of a coaching change. I want to see what Bryzgalov can do under a coach that will stress two way play and get this team playing disciplined hockey.

He absorbs too much blame and things are far too chaotic to make a real determination on him.

No I know you aren't, you're just trying to help Philly get rid of a bad contract. Briere can stay as far away from Pittsburgh as possible thank you very much.
- canadianpenfan

Easy Canadian. Ain't taking Briere and that salary EVER. As I said, I'd give him a try for around $3M at most. Philly would have to buy him out.

Let me guess what you're going to say: Not even for $3M i'd want him on the Pens..

I think they fully intended to play Bryz as much as they have but I'm sure he's made 1 or 2 starts that he otherwise wouldn't have if they had a better back-up.
- NickTheKid87

I personally don't see the backup as an issue. As you said, it would mean maybe a game or two. It's not the total number of games that Bryzgalov has player that is the issue. But the tough minutes that are the issue.

What about trading him for a Ryan Smyth? Briere would look good in Edmonton and Ryan Smyth could give you guys some grit even though he's getting pretty old.
- Orpik44

Our top 9 is pretty good

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Briere-Schenn-Simmonds
Gagne-Couturier-Read

Moving Briere for Smyth might be a small upgrade at a position in which we already have depth. I'd like a puck moving Dman or a 4th line center who wins a lot of draws.

I personally don't see the backup as an issue. As you said, it would mean maybe a game or two. It's not the total number of games that Bryzgalov has player that is the issue. But the tough minutes that are the issue.
- MJL

Agreed, although I think going forward (i.e. next season) they'll need to get a better backup because Bryz is only getting older.

Briere for Morrow !
- ob18

i would do that, but i don't think DAL would.

Our top 9 is pretty good

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Briere-Schenn-Simmonds
Gagne-Couturier-Read

Moving Briere for Smyth might be a small upgrade at a position in which we already have depth. I'd like a puck moving Dman or a 4th line center who wins a lot of draws.
- NickTheKid87

Agreed. Our forward skill isn't an overly huge concern really.

I need to find a job where I can get paid for talking hockey.


back to work.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: What's Working/Not Working After 27 Games?
- bmeltzer

re forwards: you need a category for exceeding expectations for Voracek and Rinaldo

I personally don't see the backup as an issue. As you said, it would mean maybe a game or two. It's not the total number of games that Bryzgalov has player that is the issue. But the tough minutes that are the issue.
- MJL

All the back to backs, the compression of the schedule, which has been worse in Philly than anywhere else.

re forwards: you need a category for exceeding expectations for Voracek and Rinaldo
- BiggE

I would put Luke Schenn in that category as well.

Too much emphasis is put on attacking the puck versus defending the puck. I miss the good old days where you build from the goalie out…

I do believe the Flyers have the talent but the system isn’t working. If Lavy cannot adapt and scale back his JAM approach then a change is needed. I would not mind seeing the Flyers sign Gagne if his cap hit is reasonable. Knuble/Rusty/Foster all can go…I think all of them signed a one year contract…with a few expiring contracts, the Flyers will have some cap space…but not a lot.

Edit:
Gags
Rusty
Shelley
Knuble
Walker
Foster
both backups

All UFA's

Our top 9 is pretty good

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Briere-Schenn-Simmonds
Gagne-Couturier-Read

Moving Briere for Smyth might be a small upgrade at a position in which we already have depth. I'd like a puck moving Dman or a 4th line center who wins a lot of draws.
- NickTheKid87

Talbo is doing bad on the FO circle? That's news..

Go after Robidas, Liles or Campbell. Any of them would help.

Edit: To bring Liles you'd have to take on Komisarek

I need to find a job where I can get paid for talking hockey.


back to work.

- FlyerGuy

LOL! Me too, I'm at work too, love the forum talk though, makes the day go by so much quicker. I also work for the Canadian correspondent to Wells Fargo up here in Canada, CIBC.

That's part of why I am so in favor of a coaching change. I want to see what Bryzgalov can do under a coach that will stress two way play and get this team playing disciplined hockey.

He absorbs too much blame and things are far too chaotic to make a real determination on him.
- Jsaquella

i agree. i was on the fence about lava. but i'm ready to move on. if it happens in the offseason, so be it. too many mistakes, too many flat starts, too many poor third periods, poor even strength play, not enough defensive support from the forwards, no adjusting.

I think they fully intended to play Bryz as much as they have but I'm sure he's made 1 or 2 starts that he otherwise wouldn't have if they had a better back-up.
- NickTheKid87

no doubt when a guy goes public w/ fatigue comments there's some truth there. when we signed leighton, we didn't know the lockout would extend this long. prob why they brought in Boucher.

Talbo is doing bad on the FO circle? That's news..

Go after Robidas, Liles or Campbell. Any of them would help.
- Orpik44

They'd help this year but I'd rather add some younger players instead of a guy who will be more or less a stopgap. Although if you could get one of them for Briere and a late round pick or something I'd be open to it. Completely against trading a 1st or 2nd plus our better young players for one of them.

Talbo is doing bad on the FO circle? That's news..

Go after Robidas, Liles or Campbell. Any of them would help.
- Orpik44

Cap hits. I think the friendliest there is Robidas and I'd say he's the least tradeable.

no doubt when a guy goes public w/ fatigue comments there's some truth there. when we signed leighton, we didn't know the lockout would extend this long. prob why they brought in Boucher.
- isaiah520

If they hadn't brought in Boosh, our back-up would have been Cal Heeter.

Giroux's ineffectiveness, or not being at a superstar level, is the biggest concern I have going forward. The other issues can be fixed, by a coaching change, trades or buyouts or other moves. If Giroux can't get back to his level of play from last season, then the Flyers will have to make massive adjustments
- Jsaquella

I believe G's problem were a combo of trying to much and not having the right linemates during the first few weeks of the season. Hartnell is most likely just starting to regain his timing, once he does G will be fine playing with him and Voracek. All in all Giroux is the least of my worries.