Y'know before everyone gets all misty eyed over one period of Steve Mason, maybe we should recognize there was a reason he was chased out of Star studded Columbus. For Micheal Leighton and a distant 3rd rounder(2015). The guy has a history of having trouble stringing any kind of decent play together and has fallen apart at the drop of a hat. His past play would make you yearn for Brzy's 'Consistancy'. So, this bed has been made for the time being. I don't see any reasonable upgrade for Bryz in the near future... so...

In other news, Question for Bill. What do you think of Philly's signing of Mark Alt? 6'3, Good Mobility, seems like a smaller version of Coburn, possilbly with some more offensive upside? Might end up being the real jewel from the reacquiring of Boosh?
- flyler

We have to play Mason to find out what he's got. And let's not forget that Mason was expendable to Columbus because last season Bobs was expendable to the Flyers.

In other words, predicting goalies is hard.

Flyers need to start Mason Tuesday. If he plays well, reward him with some more games, give Bryz some time to rest, while at the same time, have him play in big games. They still have games Vs Bruins, Rangers, NJ and Canadiens. Those are the games you need Bryz for. Let Mason play the easier teams....even if they are still above Philly... Maybe throw Bryz one of those games before a top team so you know he isn't rusty. Sens are struggling right now. I think they are Phillys best shot at getting in but we needs some Wins

I get more misty eyed over Steve Mason because he won the Calder Cup playing 61 games with a 2.29 GAA .920 SV and 10 shutouts on a god-awful Columbus team. He was top 3 reason why they made the playoffs that year. This is at 20 years old.

EDIT: He's got a lot to prove obviously to even consider that season as not an aberration. However, his Calder Cup, MVP of the world juniors talent isn't a fallacy.
- GirouxForTheShow

It's not getting misty eyed over one period, it's taking everything into account, especially that perceived communications issues that plagued him in Columbus.

I hope that he's willing to work and that the communication between him and Reese can be good and really give him a chance to take full advantage of his natural ability.

That said, there's an equal chance he will continue to struggle.

I get more misty eyed over Steve Mason because he won the Calder Cup playing 61 games with a 2.29 GAA .920 SV and 10 shutouts on a god-awful Columbus team. He was top 3 reason why they made the playoffs that year. This is at 20 years old.

EDIT: He's got a lot to prove obviously to even consider that season as not an aberration. However, his Calder Cup, MVP of the world juniors talent isn't a fallacy.
- GirouxForTheShow

I am not trying to bash him. Bryz also has some pretty good stats from other teams too... in the NHL. My point is that making rash decisions brought us Bryz, allowed us to trade Bob and landed us here trying to make a guy who had one good rookie season with a Ken Hitchcock run team that makes decent goalies look REALY good. (Turco with Dallas, Mason and LeClaire with Columbus, and Elliot with St. Louis)

Instead of trying to slightly improve our goaltending or doing something stupid like pinning our hopes on Mason without giving him time to get his game back. Why don't we look to improve our D, which could be much better with fewer moves.

I've been saying it for awhile now. Coburn, Mez, Briere, Grossmann, and picks can get us TWO great defenseman. As much as I like Briere and Grossmann, I think this is best for the Flyers as a team.
- JAKEw1234

There is no way you can move Coburn Grossman and Mez with Kimmo retiring in a year.

Who exactly do you expect to get in return with those trades?

I would consider moving Coburn as I think his open market value could be higher than what he brings to this team game in and game out. Mez is what he is at this point. I don't think you'll find any takers. Grossmann has been solid. No reason to move him in my mind.

ALSO.... seriously, thoughts on Alt Signing?

I've been saying it for awhile now. Coburn, Mez, Briere, Grossmann, and picks can get us TWO great defenseman. As much as I like Briere and Grossmann, I think this is best for the Flyers as a team.
- JAKEw1234

If those guys are worth so much, why the Hell should the Flyers trade them?

It seems that the only time that guys on the roster have value to people is when it comes time to trade them. Otherwise they suck or are terrible and all the issues will be solved by just trading them away.

ALSO.... seriously, thoughts on Alt Signing?
- flyler

Nice to get him into system, he's probably at least two years away. Maybe three.

If those guys are worth so much, why the Hell should the Flyers trade them?

It seems that the only time that guys on the roster have value to people is when it comes time to trade them. Otherwise they suck or are terrible and all the issues will be solved by just trading them away.
- Jsaquella

Ah jodey Shelley would 'be got them a first rounder but he faked an injury to avoid getting traded, didn't you get the memo ?

Nice to get him into system, he's probably at least two years away. Maybe three.
- Jsaquella

Cool, hope they get him the time he needs.

Ah jodey Shelley would 'be got them a first rounder but he faked an injury to avoid getting traded, didn't you get the memo ?
- JoeRussomanno

My e-mail has been down

Cool, hope they get him the time he needs.
- flyler

Me too. Defensemen they generally don't rush, though...so there is that

If those guys are worth so much, why the Hell should the Flyers trade them?

It seems that the only time that guys on the roster have value to people is when it comes time to trade them. Otherwise they suck or are terrible and all the issues will be solved by just trading them away.
- Jsaquella

Collectively 9.5 mil in cap space for Mez and coburn and neither have shown to be the top guy for our 2nd pairing. It's not good enough

Why would we buy out either of them? Even if we get less than they're worth as players, there are still teams that would be willing to take their contracts. It'd be a silly waste of value to just buy them out. I don't know about Bryzgalov, I've liked his play but his poise appears poor. Once 1 or 2 are let in he seems to lose his focus. I feel confident that Coburn, Mezaros, Briere, Grossman, and draft picks have the value to get us TWO great defencemen. I'd say it's appropriate to get one or two great puck movers to help quarter back our offence. Keep Schenn, Lauri, and Huskins to play the smart, safe brand of defense that's important for a goalie to have. Lauri is a workhorse and I have no doubt that as he beats the learners curve he can be a great, smart, safe Dman... He's got GREAT speed for being a monster at 6'6".
- JAKEw1234

That combination of players isn't going to get you TWO great defenseman. And its going to be very difficult to trade Briere and get much of value. Lauridsen is a long way from being a regular NHL defenseman, let alone a great one.

I am not trying to bash him. Bryz also has some pretty good stats from other teams too... in the NHL. My point is that making rash decisions brought us Bryz, allowed us to trade Bob and landed us here trying to make a guy who had one good rookie season with a Ken Hitchcock run team that makes decent goalies look REALY good. (Turco with Dallas, Mason and LeClaire with Columbus, and Elliot with St. Louis)

Instead of trying to slightly improve our goaltending or doing something stupid like pinning our hopes on Mason without giving him time to get his game back. Why don't we look to improve our D, which could be much better with fewer moves.
- flyler

I personally don't buy out Bryz regardless after this season. I think you let Mason get 25 starts next year, have Bryz get the rest, and evaluate in the 2014 offseason when you can still buy Bryz out if need be. Regardless of what happens to our defense or the general make up of the rest of the team, that's my course of action. Hopefully we can pick up a Nurse, Ristolainen or someone of that ilk in the draft.

Collectively 9.5 mil in cap space for Mez and coburn and neither have shown to be the top guy for our 2nd pairing. It's not good enough
- Just5

Not disagreeing, but it's sort of a Catch-22.

If they trade Coburn or Meszaros, they won't get value. If they go through FA, they'll get a similar or lesser guy that costs more money. That's the thing, cap hits will rise and players will see the pay scale for second line/pair guys will go up.

Ron Hainsey is probably no better than Winnipeg's 4th or 5th defenseman, and he's likely going to get a 5 year deal at over $5mm

I hope the Flyers shop Coburn hard at the draft and see if they can pickup a late first rounder. I see Huskins making better decisions in the same situations. How can we justify paying Mez 4 mil, Coburn 4.5 mil. When they have clearly struggled when asked to anchor the 2nd pairing. How is this justified?
- Just5

Do you really believe that Huskins is facing the same situations that Coburn does? Against the same quality of competition? For the same amount of icetime? Trading a defenseman like Coburn for a draft pick, and then replacing him with a guy on the level of Huskins, are moves that get's a GM fired for incompetence.

Not disagreeing, but it's sort of a Catch-22.

If they trade Coburn or Meszaros, they won't get value. If they go through FA, they'll get a similar or lesser guy that costs more money. That's the thing, cap hits will rise and players will see the pay scale for second line/pair guys will go up.

Ron Hainsey is probably no better than Winnipeg's 4th or 5th defenseman, and he's likely going to get a 5 year deal at over $5mm
- Jsaquella

Plus Mezy could be done for life yo- not much trade value there.

That combination of players isn't going to get you TWO great defenseman. And its going to be very difficult to trade Briere and get much of value. Lauridsen is a long way from being a regular NHL defenseman, let alone a great one.
- MJL

So you mean getting a tattoo of him with mini Ponger written in wingdings between my shoulder blades

I personally don't buy out Bryz regardless after this season. I think you let Mason get 25 starts next year, have Bryz get the rest, and evaluate in the 2014 offseason when you can still buy Bryz out if need be. Regardless of what happens to our defense or the general make up of the rest of the team, that's my course of action. Hopefully we can pick up a Nurse, Ristolainen or someone of that ilk in the draft.
- GirouxForTheShow

Depending on how the rest of the team plays, I think that's not giving Bryz enough starts. I think Bryz needs at least 65 starts a year to be effective.

Do you really believe that Huskins if facing the same situations that Coburn does? Against the same quality of competition? For the same amount of icetime? Trading a defenseman like Coburn for a draft pick, and then replacing him with a guy on the level of Huskins, are moves that get's a GM fired for incompetence.
- MJL

Stop making sense

I am not sure about Reese?

My e-mail has been down
- Jsaquella

so have the flyers

Depending on how the rest of the team plays, I think that's not giving Bryz enough starts. I think Bryz needs at least 65 starts a year to be effective.
- Scoob

I'm not sure about what is the right amount of games to give Bryzgalov. I really think it depends on how the team in front of him plays. The way this team plays defense as a whole. I think he's played too much in that situation, and he's fried mentally.

at least all the Philly teams suck together this year...Hamels with an 11 era...sweet