Finishing with a high draft position can have an even bigger effect on the team's long term future.

I'm not going to debate winning some games when the pressure is off is necessarily going to boost this team for next season. It's about playing well under pressure and this team just a week ago flunked that losing 4 straight "must-win" games.
- phillydentist

Learning how to win in pressure situations for a young team is a process. Sometimes you have to lose, to know how to win. All a part of the growing pains. Knowing that they can overcome adversity, such as all the injuries, and still play well as a team, is an important lesson to learn.

Nice writeup.

A higher draft position affects all rounds not just the first. A high 2nd rd pick is almost like a late 1st rd pick, etc.
- phillydentist

Still have to make the picks count, and there is a lot of luck involved.

I'll make my point clearer. Neither the Eagles or Phillies are a team that is in the same position in terms of team development as the Flyers are currently. The Eagles last year had a drastic lack of talent, and the Phillies are a successful veteran team who is on the downside of it's window.
My point is valid, so I'll repeat it. The Flyers finishing this Season strong, can have a positive effect on the team going forward to next Season.
- MJL

That's grasping straws. I want the high pick. Like I said. Oh well

Learning how to win in pressure situations for a young team is a process. Sometimes you have to lose, to know how to win. All a part of the growing pains. Knowing that they can overcome adversity, such as all the injuries, and still play well as a team, is an important lesson to learn.
- MJL

Agreed.

I want them to get as high a draft spot as possible but I'm not in pain if they play well either. I can see both arguments but with the holes this organization has to fill, it's better to have more/better assets than not. Just my personal preference.

That's grasping straws. I want the high pick. Like I said. Oh well
- Just5

There is no grasping straws in my reply. I want the high pick also. But that is no guarantee.

Still have to make the picks count, and there is a lot of luck involved.
- MJL

So many great players with awesome junior hockey pedigrees when they get drafted fail at the pro level. You just never know.

Still have to make the picks count, and there is a lot of luck involved.
- MJL

I have my issues with Holmgren regarding him outbidding himself, signing players to too many years and giving out NMC's, mismanaging the cap, etc, but drafting is not one of them. I don't deny the luck factor though.

Mason was simply outstanding last night, probably the best goalie performance of the season for us.

What upsets me is where was this team the entire season? Like damn. 11 GF/2 GP. Thats last years Flyers team i know. They have looked really good the past 2 games. You could definittely tell the wheels were falling off the bus in the 3rd last game. Oh and hey look at that guy. Our goalie made some big saves when we (frank)ing needed him too, something that our 51 million dollar goalie hasnt done for us lately.

Watching the Flyers became fun again. This has been great hockey to watch past 2 nights.

As long as Mason isnt injured, you ride him. (frank) Bryz. Im tired of his inconsistentcies. I've stuck up for that guy ever since he got here but those 3 GA against Montreal were disgraceful. He was a flopping seal out there, it was absolutely embarassing to watch. Buy his ass out in the offseason. Sign Backstrom or Emery to a 2 year contract. Or we could trade for Bernier and have a solid young duo. But enough of Bryz. I've had enough.
Honestly if Bryz played last game he lets in atleast 5. Mason was spectacular.

So many great players with awesome junior hockey pedigrees when they get drafted fail at the pro level. You just never know.
- johndewar

I'd still take my chances with one of the top three and be a happy puppy.

Mason was simply outstanding last night, probably the best goalie performance of the season for us.

What upsets me is where was this team the entire season? Like damn. 11 GF/2 GP. Thats last years Flyers team i know. They have looked really good the past 2 games. You could definittely tell the wheels were falling off the bus in the 3rd last game. Oh and hey look at that guy. Our goalie made some big saves when we (frank)ing needed him too, something that our 51 million dollar goalie hasnt done for us lately.

Watching the Flyers became fun again. This has been great hockey to watch past 2 nights.

As long as Mason isnt injured, you ride him. (frank) Bryz. Im tired of his inconsistentcies. I've stuck up for that guy ever since he got here but those 3 GA against Montreal were disgraceful. He was a flopping seal out there, it was absolutely embarassing to watch. Buy his ass out in the offseason. Sign Backstrom or Emery to a 2 year contract. Or we could trade for Bernier and have a solid young duo. But enough of Bryz. I've had enough.
Honestly if Bryz played last game he lets in atleast 5. Mason was spectacular.
- FLYERSROCK!

I understand this frustration, but I still think it would behoove the Flyers to get a larger sample size of Mason's work before getting rid of Bryz.

Mason was simply outstanding last night, probably the best goalie performance of the season for us.

What upsets me is where was this team the entire season? Like damn. 11 GF/2 GP. Thats last years Flyers team i know. They have looked really good the past 2 games. You could definittely tell the wheels were falling off the bus in the 3rd last game. Oh and hey look at that guy. Our goalie made some big saves when we (frank)ing needed him too, something that our 51 million dollar goalie hasnt done for us lately.

Watching the Flyers became fun again. This has been great hockey to watch past 2 nights.

As long as Mason isnt injured, you ride him. (frank) Bryz. Im tired of his inconsistentcies. I've stuck up for that guy ever since he got here but those 3 GA against Montreal were disgraceful. He was a flopping seal out there, it was absolutely embarassing to watch. Buy his ass out in the offseason. Sign Backstrom or Emery to a 2 year contract. Or we could trade for Bernier and have a solid young duo. But enough of Bryz. I've had enough.
Honestly if Bryz played last game he lets in atleast 5. Mason was spectacular.
- FLYERSROCK!

C'mon, tell us how you really feel.

Mason was simply outstanding last night, probably the best goalie performance of the season for us.

What upsets me is where was this team the entire season? Like damn. 11 GF/2 GP. Thats last years Flyers team i know. They have looked really good the past 2 games. You could definittely tell the wheels were falling off the bus in the 3rd last game. Oh and hey look at that guy. Our goalie made some big saves when we (frank)ing needed him too, something that our 51 million dollar goalie hasnt done for us lately.

Watching the Flyers became fun again. This has been great hockey to watch past 2 nights.

As long as Mason isnt injured, you ride him. (frank) Bryz. Im tired of his inconsistentcies. I've stuck up for that guy ever since he got here but those 3 GA against Montreal were disgraceful. He was a flopping seal out there, it was absolutely embarassing to watch. Buy his ass out in the offseason. Sign Backstrom or Emery to a 2 year contract. Or we could trade for Bernier and have a solid young duo. But enough of Bryz. I've had enough.
Honestly if Bryz played last game he lets in atleast 5. Mason was spectacular.
- FLYERSROCK!

Yea, and Bryzgalov has been spectacular at points of this Season also. Let's see how Mason does in the future donw the road. And see how he's do playing in the same situations as Bryz has. Maybe he's be better, or maybe worse. But let's findout before we anoint him.

I understand this frustration, but I still think it would behoove the Flyers to get a larger sample size of Mason's work before getting rid of Bryz.
- johndewar

I wait till FA, and see if Nick Backstrom will sign with us. Theres a 0% chance hes back with Minny with the cap going down next year. Also try and snatch Emery. He enjoyed his time here, see if he'll come back if he ahsnt resigned.
but im done. We need a top pairing dman, and homer knows that. If Bryz is in the way of that, then he'll be gone, and Homer will sign or trade for another goalie.
I want Nick Backstrom in a Flyuers uni next year. I've always been a fan. Consistent. Extremely. Been rock solid for Minny his entire career. Sign him 2 years, 4-4.5M/yr

I understand this frustration, but I still think it would behoove the Flyers to get a larger sample size of Mason's work before getting rid of Bryz.
- johndewar

It would depend on who is available and for what price. I'd love to get that anvil of a salary off of my back.

Yea, and Bryzgalov has been spectacular at points of this Season also. Let's see how Mason does in the future donw the road. And see how he's do playing in the same situations as Bryz has. Maybe he's be better, or maybe worse. But let's findout before we anoint him.
- MJL

Bryz was spectacular the first month of the season. Hes been mediocre ever since.
we cant have a 5.67M/yr goalie playing MEDIOCRE. Dont you guys get that???

I stood up for him for 2 years, but these past few games he hasnt been clutch, he hasnt been good, and he just seems like he doesnt want to be here.

Get him outta here. He's been too inconsistant. Time to move on. Go after Bernier, Backstrom, Emery, Mrazek, etc in the offseason. If we get one of them, get Bryz the (frank) out of here.

It would depend on who is available and for what price. I'd love to get that anvil of a salary off of my back.
- 77rams

Plus are we really gonna have him on our roster after the 13/14 season when Couts, Schenn, G, Read, Mason's contracts are all up?? No way!

Plus, Vancouver will be buying our Lou, since nobody should be stupiud enough to trade for him. Im sure we could get him for 4-4.5M/year. He's like a bazillion time better than Bryz is

It would depend on who is available and for what price. I'd love to get that anvil of a salary off of my back.
- 77rams

Indeed.

Bryz was spectacular the first month of the season. Hes been mediocre ever since.
we cant have a 5.67M/yr goalie playing MEDIOCRE. Dont you guys get that???

I stood up for him for 2 years, but these past few games he hasnt been clutch, he hasnt been good, and he just seems like he doesnt want to be here.

Get him outta here. He's been too inconsistant. Time to move on. Go after Bernier, Backstrom, Emery, Mrazek, etc in the offseason. If we get one of them, get Bryz the (frank) out of here.
- FLYERSROCK!

Two years?

Bryz was spectacular the first month of the season. Hes been mediocre ever since.
we cant have a 5.67M/yr goalie playing MEDIOCRE. Dont you guys get that???

I stood up for him for 2 years, but these past few games he hasnt been clutch, he hasnt been good, and he just seems like he doesnt want to be here.

Get him outta here. He's been too inconsistant. Time to move on. Go after Bernier, Backstrom, Emery, Mrazek, etc in the offseason. If we get one of them, get Bryz the (frank) out of here.
- FLYERSROCK!

No, he's had stretches of solid play past the first month of the Season. None of the players you mention are a guarantee of anything. Don't you get that? Not many Goalies would be sucessful playing behind how poorly the Flyers have played this year. If they can get an equal or better player for less money, and less of a comittment long term, I'm all for it. But I don't know who that is. And I doubt you can get Backstrom for what you want to pay him.

It would depend on who is available and for what price. I'd love to get that anvil of a salary off of my back.
- 77rams

What if Bernier could be had for Read, Cousins and someone like Gus/Bourdon/Lauri/Ghost? Would you do it?

Plus are we really gonna have him on our roster after the 13/14 season when Couts, Schenn, G, Read, Mason's contracts are all up?? No way!

Plus, Vancouver will be buying our Lou, since nobody should be stupiud enough to trade for him. Im sure we could get him for 4-4.5M/year. He's like a bazillion time better than Bryz is
- FLYERSROCK!

So in other words you want pretty much anybody but Bryzgalov?

What if Bernier could be had for Read, Cousins and someone like Gus/Bourdon/Lauri/Ghost? Would you do it?
- FLYERSROCK!

NO!

Two years?
- BulliesPhan87

Whatever. The past season and this season.

Plus are we really gonna have him on our roster after the 13/14 season when Couts, Schenn, G, Read, Mason's contracts are all up?? No way!

Plus, Vancouver will be buying our Lou, since nobody should be stupiud enough to trade for him. Im sure we could get him for 4-4.5M/year. He's like a bazillion time better than Bryz is
- FLYERSROCK!

More reason why the draft is so important. It's imperative that we start to find players from rounds 2 on.

So in other words you want pretty much anybody but Bryzgalov?
- MJL

I'd have Bryz if he was being payed 3M. He isnt. Hes being paid to be a top goalie, and he is NOT that.
There's so many other goalie options out there, for cheaper, and shorter. And all those goalie i listed with the exception of Mrazek who is unproven, but a top goalie prospect--- are better than Bryz, and will come much cheaper