I believe I may be that "poster". I said, "So is he automatically one of the top 4 if he comes here? Starting to look that way. He can't be worse than what they are throwing out there now. " Not sure how you could disagree, or whatever it is you are doing, with this poster about my question/statement. If you feel it is necessary to do so, maybe you could put forth a counterpoint such as, so and so is a top 4 prospect and better. You don't have to reply to every post.
- fnmjoe13

My counterpoint is that a College Free Agent isn't likely to jump right into the Flyers top 4 defense.

The statement you made is a complete exaggeration made from an incredibly slanted pessimistic viewpoint. The Flyers have one player that is having a chronic injury issue. That is Meszaros. And a poster with a Medical background, posted that it can be fixed. So we'll see about that. The other players have normal injury issues, that as far as I know, aren't career threatening or chronic.
I believe that Bryzgalov is a very good Goalie, and that the SV% is a team number. This is one of the worst teams defenses I've seen in a long time. And that if they sure up that area, then Bryzgalov will be fine. Maybe that's a leap of faith, and is optimistic. But how dare we be optimistic!
And last, this team has Giroux, Schenn(2), Couturier, Simmonds, Laughton, McGinn, Voracek, all under the age of 25. They have an upcoming high draft pick. They have prosepcts such as Cousins and Stolarz who are doing very well. Ghostibhere is highly thought of. But you're right, the young talent pipeline is bare. I didn't realize the picture was so desolate. One bad Season and it's the World is ending.
- MJL

You make some good points in your post. I rather just move on from the goalie and his contract. Paying all that money for a goalie who isnt giving you an edge doesnt make sense imo.

He has not played up to his contract. Most often you are measured against what it is your are paid, fair or unfair.
- ggunky

That's only one metric for comparison. In the bigger picture, if a player is overpaid for what you get, but their performance is otherwise good enough to get the team where they need to be, is it not worth it?

Not saying this is exactly the case with Bryz, just thinking out loud here.

He hasnt lived up to expectations imo. They gave him a ridiculous contract and now they have the option to buy him out and clean up that mistake. If they do that then the Flyers are admitting it was a mistake. Which imo makes him a bust. They didnt get what was expected of him.
- stveshdy

I disagree. I look at it differently. Its like the Eagles with Donovan McNabb.. you could have one of the best QB's in the game, but if James Trash and Todd Stinkston are your go to guys... you are in trouble.

Bryz was damned from the start.. If we had ANY semblance of team defense.. we wouldnt be having this conversation.

If his salary was similar to, say, Niemi or Halak, I'd agree with you.

But as far as what was expected when he was signed, I'd say he's closer to a disappointment than an welcomed relief.
- 77rams

Exactly.

I would be happy if they got Bishop or Emery to tend the net for the time being.

So we have Cousins (as long as he doesn't end up in prison) Laughton, as well as, hopefully a top 5 pick which I expect will be a forward. I think we need to start dangling a roster forward + picks and/or the players listed above, should be enough to get us a #1 d guy.
- Hextall271

This is so sad.... Cracked me up though when I read it...

You make some good points in your post. I rather just move on from the goalie and his contract. Paying all that money for a goalie who isnt giving you an edge doesnt make sense imo.
- stveshdy

Ive been a pretty staunch supporter of Bryz... but I would be OK with moving from him, so long as there were a proven viable alternative.

Lauridsen called up, not Lilja.
- bradleyc4

White Flag offically waived by Homer.

Whether he is, or ever will be, a dependable presence in net, they still desperately need to bring in a viable #2 to push/spell him. You really can't blame Lavy for choosing to put all his apples in the Bryz basket when he looks down the bench and sees Leighton/Boucher staring back.

Hello Ben Bishop.
- Tomahawk

A nice dream. Then Bishop shows he has the potential to be a number one goaltender and Breeze can be bought out after next year saving us a boatload of money.

You dont have to agree with it but I believe when you make that signing and move two key players (franchise types) and the guy is putting up middle of the road numbers hes not living up to expectations.

If the Flyers wanted a goalie who puts these numbers up they could of signed someone cheaper for that matter. Thats just my take.

We all keep blaming the defense but he wasnt very good last year and he had a team that was much better all around.
- stveshdy

He doesn't play in a vaccum. The team play around him has an effect. If your expectation is that Bryzgalov should be a miracle worker and erase all the defensive faults this team has, well then I guess he has fallen short of those expectations. But to not take all the variables into consideration when looking at his play, is shortsighted.
Last year, there were a number of other factors that play. I beleive he has gotten past those issues.

I disagree. I look at it differently. Its like the Eagles with Donovan McNabb.. you could have one of the best QB's in the game, but if James Trash and Todd Stinkston are your go to guys... you are in trouble.

Bryz was damned from the start.. If we had ANY semblance of team defense.. we wouldnt be having this conversation.
- jak521

Lets look back at the past years we could blame the defense for most goalies that have been in net for the Flyers.

Whens the last time they iced a great defense?

The past two season they have had one of their better defensive groups on paper.
So why spend all that money on him then?

My counterpoint is that a College Free Agent isn't likely to jump right into the Flyers top 4 defense.
- MJL

Have you been watching their games? Aren't you also saying to other posters that this is one of the worst defenses you have seen? So what makes you think he is not an upgrade? Oh right, your opinion.

That's only one metric for comparison. In the bigger picture, if a player is overpaid for what you get, but their performance is otherwise good enough to get the team where they need to be, is it not worth it?

Not saying this is exactly the case with Bryz, just thinking out loud here.
- BulliesPhan87

i think you are right on the money.. If the team was playing well, we had good team defense and Bryz was playing JUST OK (.908 sv%, 2.41 gaa) we wouldnt hear a peep.

He hasnt lived up to expectations imo. They gave him a ridiculous contract and now they have the option to buy him out and clean up that mistake. If they do that then the Flyers are admitting it was a mistake. Which imo makes him a bust. They didnt get what was expected of him.
- stveshdy

I think not living up to expectations, not living up to his contract, and being a bust are very, very different things. And again, I don't disagree that it may be prudent to move on, both on the caponomic side of things and on the hockey logic side. I'm just arguing against what I think is an unfair label on Bryzgalov as a hockey player. And if he plays another good season next year, but is still bought out, I don't think that makes him a bust or a mistake, even if it does indicate the contract was.

Lets look back at the past years we could blame the defense for most goalies that have been in net for the Flyers.

Whens the last time they iced a great defense?

The past two season they have had one of their better defensive groups on paper.
So why spend all that money on him then?
- stveshdy

2009-2010

The past two seasons we have had one of the better defensive groups?
I couldnt disagree any more vehemently.

His 2.83 gaa and .899 save % is all bc they cant play defense.
- stveshdy

The SV% is the true indicator.

Flyers have been pretty bad in their own zone 5v5, but then again so are the Oilers, Leafs, Panthers, Canes, Sabres, yet guys like Dubnyk, Reimer/Scrivens, Marstrom, Ellis, & Miller have SV% in the .910-920 range.

My counterpoint is that a College Free Agent isn't likely to jump right into the Flyers top 4 defense.
- MJL

You said that last summer when we were talking about Justin Schultz.

He has not played up to his contract. Most often you are measured against what it is you are paid, fair or unfair.
- ggunky

You cannot expect a Goalie to have the SV% and GAA numbers you want him to have, to justify the contract, playing with this team defense in front of him. He's not Domonik Hasek, and never will be.

This is a serious question as I was drunk for the first decade of the century and am hazy on some things:

When was the last time they were really good for an extended period of time?

I recall at least one very strong start (10-11?) but nothing that lasted.

You said that last summer when we were talking about Justin Schultz.
- Tomahawk

Justin Schultz is playing in Edmonton, not Philadelphia.

The SV% is the true indicator.

Flyers have been pretty bad in their own zone 5v5, but then again so are the Oilers, Leafs, Panthers, Canes, Sabres, yet guys like Dubnyk, Reimer/Scrivens, Marstrom, Ellis, & Miller have SV% in the .910-920 range.
- Tomahawk

get ready for tim thomas.... it's coming

Bryzgalov not living up to expectations imo. The coach and team defense continues to get blamed. There are teams with less talent that still are producing better.

Go down the list of goalies and Bryzgalov is by far not impressive at this point. However, its not him its the defense/coach of course.

His 2.83 gaa and .899 save % is all bc they cant play defense.
- stveshdy

There are plenty of bad teams in the NHL. How many of them have goaltenders with sub .900 save %'s? Bryzgalov is being paid like an elite goaltender, and his performance is falling far short of that. You can pay someone far less and get similar production.

I see Lilja was passed up again for a call up. I guess he's not really an ideal 7th dman. He's 10th or 11th on the depth chart at this point. Thank god he got that second year.

The SV% is the true indicator.

Flyers have been pretty bad in their own zone 5v5, but then again so are the Oilers, Leafs, Panthers, Canes, Sabres, yet guys like Dubnyk, Reimer/Scrivens, Marstrom, Ellis, & Miller have SV% in the .910-920 range.
- Tomahawk

I disagree.. all the SV% indicates (as you already know) is the % of shots that do not go into the net. What about the quality of shots faced? What about the number of odd man rushes faced. What about the number of second and third chances. What about the number of own zone defensive breakdowns?

So the blue line will now look like:

Timonen - Schenn
Gus - Liljia
Gervais - Foster

Good God...
- flyguy12

Nightmarish isn't it?

Have you been watching their games? Aren't you also saying to other posters that this is one of the worst defenses you have seen? So what makes you think he is not an upgrade? Oh right, your opinion.
- fnmjoe13

Worst TEAM defense I've ever seen. And yes, I've been watching their games.