How many of those other goalies had to play every game just about for their team?
- JoeRussomanno

Miller is the best comparison since Buffalo has been a total mess of a team this year. He's played 33 games compared to 36 for Bryz.

I think it's too bad he hasn't maintained his level of play from early in the season. In the Flyers first game in Winnipeg back in February, Bryzgalov was excellent. Yesterday, not so much.
- Feanor

I thought the team kind of hit a wall in the second period. At least a couple of those goals were point blank shots from the slot. I can't fault him on the 3 on 1 after the bad pinch. We also only scored 1 goal in support..

Hard to play someone that you don't trust. If you were the coach would you have played Boosh or Leighton, I know I wouldn't.
- LJF

Yesterday was a prime opportunity to give Bryz a 4 day rest and they decided to play him. He either looked bad, exhausted or disinterested the majority of the game, and I dont think it was the first or last one.

I think a lot needs to be said about his overall morale. He doesn't seem to be the answer, but he isn't the problem either. The play in front of him this season for the most part has been a disaster, hes started all but what like 3 games? His post game interviews show me a guy who is struggling to bring-up the team in front of him. He's easily a goaltender that can win the Cup. But he isn't a guy that will single-handedly win you won.

I just think we might be paying him like one.

Miller is the best comparison since Buffalo has been a total mess of a team this year. He's played 33 games compared to 36 for Bryz.
- Feanor

Rinne has started 36 same amount as Bryzgalov, and Pavelec has started 35.

Rinne has started 36 same amount as Bryzgalov, and Pavelec has started 35.
- PLindbergh31

Yup, they have played more. But if you want an example of a highly paid goalie playing almost every game behind a bad team and still putting up a respectable save percentage, Ryan Miller is it.

Yup, they have played more. But if you want an example of a highly paid goalie playing almost every game behind a bad team and still putting up a respectable save percentage, Ryan Miller is it.
- Feanor

Agreed. Miller has .913 save %, compared to .896% for Bryzgalov. To be 40th in the NHL in save % while being one of the top paid guys is a joke. Anyone who wants to blame it strictly on team defense is out to lunch.

Yup, they have played more. But if you want an example of a highly paid goalie playing almost every game behind a bad team and still putting up a respectable save percentage, Ryan Miller is it.
- Feanor

Bryz is not the issue. A case can be made for buying him out interns of dollars and years left, but he is not the reason they are struggling this year, so I don't know what the point is of debating Bryz.

Agreed. Miller has .913 save %, compared to .896% for Bryzgalov. To be 40th in the NHL in save % while being one of the top paid guys is a joke. Anyone who wants to blame it strictly on team defense is out to lunch.
- PLindbergh31

And anyone who wants to strictly blame Bryz is crazy. The flyers defense has been stellar the last few games given the patch work roster they have back there. I would think our defense continues to be the main issue on this team, not the goaltender.

Other than Pavelec in Winnipeg none. Falls on the General Manager for not having a legitimate backup.
- PLindbergh31

I think giving him a rest here and there like games yesterday and the one against Florida where the team got off the plane at 2am that morning might help him just a little bit. So yea having a viable backup falls on the gm however they did get to the finals with that goalie 3 years ago. Also the coach could have used either backup in the games I mentioned, if their good enough to put in during a 4-4 game with Pittsburgh their good enough to put in for trap games.

Miller is the best comparison since Buffalo has been a total mess of a team this year. He's played 33 games compared to 36 for Bryz.
- Feanor

Oh boy Jonathan quick one slot ahead of bryzgalov on your list, I guess he's toast too? Buyout candidate for sure right?

And anyone who wants to strictly blame Bryz is crazy. The flyers defense has been stellar the last few games given the patch work roster they have back there. I would think our defense continues to be the main issue on this team, not the goaltender.
- funmaster18

And the team defense is going to improve how? Getting a new coach? Overhauling the roster? Rubbing a rabbit's foot that players who are made of glass stay healthy? Too many soft goals are being allowed. 40th in save % is insane. Bobrovsky is second in the NHL, I suppose it's the suffocating Blue Jackets defense that drives those numbers.

I think giving him a rest here and there like games yesterday and the one against Florida where the team got off the plane at 2am that morning might help him just a little bit. So yea having a viable backup falls on the gm however they did get to the finals with that goalie 3 years ago. Also the coach could have used either backup in the games I mentioned, if their good enough to put in during a 4-4 game with Pittsburgh their good enough to put in for trap games.
- JoeRussomanno

That goalie who took us to the Cup was also 4 years younger than the version he is now and admittedly plays exponentially better with a heavy work load which he wasn't gonna get this year. Boucher was a better option in my eyes, but he just doesn't have it anymore.

Agreed. Miller has .913 save %, compared to .896% for Bryzgalov. To be 40th in the NHL in save % while being one of the top paid guys is a joke. Anyone who wants to blame it strictly on team defense is out to lunch.
- PLindbergh31

Save % is not always direct result of good and bad goaltending. Just like plus minus is not always direct result of an individual players performance.

And anyone who wants to strictly blame Bryz is crazy. The flyers defense has been stellar the last few games given the patch work roster they have back there. I would think our defense continues to be the main issue on this team, not the goaltender.
- funmaster18

Nobody is blaming Bryz alone.

However every player matters, as does anything counting against the cap. I wouldnt buy him out this season, because quite honestly I dont see where the hell they would throw the money anyway.

To be paid like he is, he needs to be better, and more consistently. The little tantrums and negative body language needs to stop as well.

Its hard to judge him this season because of the no back-up thing, and a lot of the hard minutes he has played. At the end of it all he isnt immune just like the rest of them. I am pretty "meh" when it comes to Bryzgalov. Yet you could probably get a similar performance for a lot less money.

He isnt the main problem, but every player matters. He isn't the worst thing in the world, but in 2 seasons in Philadelphia he has helped make his own bed to a degree. Again though, its a hard season to judge him but I could care less if he wasn't here next year. Maybe thats just me, but if it wasnt for his "wacky personality" and everyone loving to root for the underdog...

And the team defense is going to improve how? Getting a new coach? Overhauling the roster? Rubbing a rabbit's foot that players who are made of glass stay healthy? Too many soft goals are being allowed. 40th in save % is insane. Bobrovsky is second in the NHL, I suppose it's the suffocating Blue Jackets defense that drives those numbers.
- PLindbergh31

1. Bob playing well has nothing to do with Bryz
2. Many here, including me wanted to keep bob
3. By getting a puck moving defense and possibly a new coach can improve the team defense. The defense has never looked consistently great with Laviolette.

And the team defense is going to improve how? Getting a new coach? Overhauling the roster? Rubbing a rabbit's foot that players who are made of glass stay healthy? Too many soft goals are being allowed. 40th in save % is insane. Bobrovsky is second in the NHL, I suppose it's the suffocating Blue Jackets defense that drives those numbers.
- PLindbergh31

haha... Agreed!!

Nobody is blaming Bryz alone.

However every player matters, as does anything counting against the cap. I wouldnt buy him out this season, because quite honestly I dont see where the hell they would throw the money anyway.

To be paid like he is, he needs to be better, and more consistently. The little tantrums and negative body language needs to stop as well.

Its hard to judge him this season because of the no back-up thing, and a lot of the hard minutes he has played. At the end of it all he isnt immune just like the rest of them. I am pretty "meh" when it comes to Bryzgalov. Yet you could probably get a similar performance for a lot less money.

He isnt the main problem, but every player matters. He isn't the worst thing in the world, but in 2 seasons in Philadelphia he has helped make his own bed to a degree. Again though, its a hard season to judge him but I could care less if he wasn't here next year. Maybe thats just me, but if it wasnt for his "wacky personality" and everyone loving to root for the underdog...
- flyer_nutter

I agree everyone needs to be accountable and that he can play better. Buts he's played well enough to be in the playoffs right now. I point to guys like Giroux, hartnell, Coburn, mez, and the struggles of 2nd year players as the reason they are not in the playoffs at this point.

Save % is not always direct result of good and bad goaltending. Just like plus minus is not always direct result of an individual players performance.
- funmaster18

Stats and everything aside.

Bryzgalov's season last year, didnt leave much room for error this season. In 2 seasons with the Flyers he has helped make his own bed.

Everyone deserves to be looked at after this season, but when you sign a guy to that kind of contract, after what he did in Phoenix you dont (frank)ing have him 40th in save percentage. Its a hard year to judge him, but I do believe the Flyers could get a similar performance for cheaper. Probably with less distractions, which is Bryzgalov's fault.

I defended the guy yesterday when HNIC was bashing him like crazy because he isn't the only one to blame. However whether he is here next season or not, doesn't matter to me.

1. Bob playing well has nothing to do with Bryz
2. Many here, including me wanted to keep bob
3. By getting a puck moving defense and possibly a new coach can improve the team defense. The defense has never looked consistently great with Laviolette.
- funmaster18

The thing is, breakdowns will always happen. Pavelec held his team in it yesterday when they had breakdowns.

I am not saying Bryzgalov does not. He has done it this season, but has also been inconsistent. I do blame that a lot on the lack of a back-up goaltender. However last year still isn't forgotten by many. Along with his contract, and I am starting to get annoyed at the constant looking at the guys around him after he lets in a goal, the little tantrums etc. He has let in far too many weak goals over his time here to do that.

I do think you could get a similar performance for cheaper. At the same time I would give him one more season. Also wouldnt be pissed off if the organization decided to give up on the experiment.

1. Bob playing well has nothing to do with Bryz
2. Many here, including me wanted to keep bob
3. By getting a puck moving defense and possibly a new coach can improve the team defense. The defense has never looked consistently great with Laviolette.
- funmaster18

So if we can't compare Bryzgalov to other goaltenders in the NHL, how do we evaluate him?

Stats and everything aside.

Bryzgalov's season last year, didnt leave much room for error this season. In 2 seasons with the Flyers he has helped make his own bed.

Everyone deserves to be looked at after this season, but when you sign a guy to that kind of contract, after what he did in Phoenix you dont (frank)ing have him 40th in save percentage. Its a hard year to judge him, but I do believe the Flyers could get a similar performance for cheaper. Probably with less distractions, which is Bryzgalov's fault.

I defended the guy yesterday when HNIC was bashing him like crazy because he isn't the only one to blame. However whether he is here next season or not, doesn't matter to me.
- flyer_nutter

Im starting to be on the same boat. I don't blame Bryz because he is far from the only problem. However he isn't the answer, and he gets paid to be the answer sometimes. He rarely is. That could be pinned on the team in front of him, on exhaustion, low morale, the decimated blue line. But when push comes to shove he just looks lackadaisical sometimes and that irks me to no end.

I'd agree I think we could get the same output for someone cheaper. And I love to get Mason signed for 2 years, and see how he does over the next couple games.

I agree everyone needs to be accountable and that he can play better. Buts he's played well enough to be in the playoffs right now. I point to guys like Giroux, hartnell, Coburn, mez, and the struggles of 2nd year players as the reason they are not in the playoffs at this point.
- funmaster18

I wouldnt go as far as saying that THIS season he is the reason they arent in the playoffs.

No one player is. Do you believe the Flyers could get a similar performance that we have seen the last 2 years for cheaper?

That contract, much like Luongo, will always haunt Bryzgalov. Is what it is.

So if we can't compare Bryzgalov to other goaltenders in the NHL, how do we evaluate him?
- PLindbergh31

Its not impossible but it needs to be taken with context that isn't entirely measurable in itself. Point being, would having BOB be our number 1, are we in the playoffs? Are we more comfortable with BOB when there is a 3 on 1 down low after a horrendous turnover and blown coverage?

Granted, I agree with you, there has to be comparisons. But context is key.

So if we can't compare Bryzgalov to other goaltenders in the NHL, how do we evaluate him?
- PLindbergh31

Like I said, I wanted to keep Bob. And this team has played horribly for most of the season while Bryz kept them in games. I'm fine with moving on from Bryz because what we are seeing is who he is as a goalie, but he's not the reason they are struggling. If you can't see that, I don't know what else o say. I'm not advocating for Bryz, I'm just looking at the whole picture.

I wouldnt go as far as saying that THIS season he is the reason they arent in the playoffs.

No one player is. Do you believe the Flyers could get a similar performance that we have seen the last 2 years for cheaper?

That contract, much like Luongo, will always haunt Bryzgalov. Is what it is.
- flyer_nutter

Yes I do and i hated his contract the minute they signed him. Snider made a rash decision there.