We've had that problem all season long. How many goals against were because we didn't clear? Either the forwards were way too far forward or the D couldn't connect a pass to save their lives... It was always the blueline in the wrong position! I should have known!
- FlyersGrace

Well... I'd think Mr. Snider did, since he (at the very least) would have to sign off on it.
- Flyskippy

I'm sure there was non-descript pressure from Snider to "fix it".

I doubt Ed Snider is up on the finer points of NHL contracts and salary cap management.

they should consider this aspect of Bryz as he covers the puck a lot and gets the other team an offensive zone draw when they think about whether to re sign Mr Hall, with his face off ability.
- Marc D

Yup. I'd take Hall back in a jiffy.

I agree that Mason isn't the 2nd coming. But damn it's hot when he plays the puck.
- FlyersGrace

Mason has some noticeable flaws in his game.
I am not sold on him being a #1 goalie next season.
I do love his puck handling, and he seems very quick and athletic.
He seems to have some balance trouble, falling backwards a lot.
Also wonder about his rebound control.

I'm sure there was non-descript pressure from Snider to "fix it".

I doubt Ed Snider is up on the finer points of NHL contracts and salary cap management.
- johndewar

No, but you don't need that to say, "Hey, Paul, throw money at the problem!"

You want to be paying Bryz for the next 14 years?

I'd dangle him out there for a bag of pucks and pray someone bites.. if not, you need to keep him for now and hope his value goes up. I just don't see how keeping him on the books for 14 more years is going to help things...


Everyone is calling for amnesty now, left and right. But 8 years from now when it's really getting old and starting to bite you, then people will be crying about that. It's a no-win situation right now unless they can find someone willing to take him on for practically nothing..
- WarriorHockey21

How will amnesty bite us in 8 years??? There is no future cap hit for these players, and I'm pretty sure a Fortune 500 company like Comcast can afford the $$ so what are you talking about?

Mason has some noticeable flaws in his game.
I am not sold on him being a #1 goalie next season.
I do love his puck handling, and he seems very quick and athletic.
He seems to have some balance trouble, falling backwards a lot.
Also wonder about his rebound control.
- Marc D

Agreed. Sample size is way too small with this guy to just give him the reins for next year.

No, but you don't need that to say, "Hey, Paul, throw money at the problem!"
- Flyskippy

Throwing money at the problem, especially at the behest of a supportive owner, is fine. If you can add roster assets without trading existing rosters assets....well, that's great.

Throwing ALL the money (and term) at the problem is bad. That is where I fault Homer.

Throwing money at the problem, especially at the behest of a supportive owner, is fine. If you can add roster assets without trading existing rosters assets....well, that's great.

Throwing ALL the money (and term) at the problem is bad. That is where I fault Homer.
- johndewar

Homer will fix everything by trading Giroux

That is such a silly line of thinking sometimes. As if the player made it all the way from midgets playing that one and only system and suddenly sucks cause he didn't play it anymore. Granted some players fit other systems better but that argument is seriously flawed.
- JoeRussomanno

This is true to a point, I think. First of all, a player has to be extremely talented to even make it to the AHL, let alone the NHL, even as a backup goalie. Mike Smith, on the whole, is a very talented goaltender who is worthy to be a starter or, at the least, a very capable backup.

That said, certain systems do help to highlight a player's skills. For instance, most people on here agree that Bryzgalov's numbers are hurt based on the system employed here, where he's constantly facing high-percentage scoring plays every game. By the same token, if a team plays a system based on defense, they will likely give up fewer high-quality scoring chances.

Mike Smith had a career year on a team that played a defensively-oriented system (on a team that was owned by the NHL; conspiracy theorists - please sign up here). Couple those 2 things together, and you get a goalie who puts up inflated stats (see: Leighton, Michael, 2009-2010).

So basically, the system plays a hand in a goalie's play, but only to an extent.

Mason has some noticeable flaws in his game.
I am not sold on him being a #1 goalie next season.
I do love his puck handling, and he seems very quick and athletic.
He seems to have some balance trouble, falling backwards a lot.
Also wonder about his rebound control.
- Marc D

Yep, very much so. I have to believe that they think Reese can correct -- or at least lessen -- these issues, though.

I just want to say that the idea of Tim Thomas as a Flyer goalie makes me ill.

I hope this never happens.

Homer will fix everything by trading Giroux
- vejim

Yep, very much so. I have to believe that they think Reese can correct -- or at least lessen -- these issues, though.
- bradleyc4

not sold on Reese...Bryz worst when he arrives and Bob better when he leaves

not sold on Reese...Bryz worst when he arrives and Bob better when he leaves
- vejim

Throwing money at the problem, especially at the behest of a supportive owner, is fine. If you can add roster assets without trading existing rosters assets....well, that's great.

Throwing ALL the money (and term) at the problem is bad. That is where I fault Homer.
- johndewar

That's fine. I don't know how much Homer's hands were tied by Mr. Snider nor can I prove it. For the most part, Homer has done well in rebuilding this team until this year's hiccup. Should they miss the playoffs and/or Lavi stifles the growth of Couturier another year and I think both can go.

not sold on Reese...Bryz worst when he arrives and Bob better when he leaves
- vejim

Yep, very much so. I have to believe that they think Reese can correct -- or at least lessen -- these issues, though.
- bradleyc4

well, they were smart and gave him a one year deal to see if they can fix things and make it work.

why they give out multiple year deals to 12th forwards and 7th defenseman is a little mind boggling, but whatever, its not that big of a thing.

unlike the numerous NTCs they have, which has been a big deal

I just want to say that the idea of Tim Thomas as a Flyer goalie makes me ill.

I hope this never happens.
- Marc D

Agreed.

That's fine. I don't know how much Homer's hands were tied by Mr. Snider nor can I prove it. For the most part, Homer has done well in rebuilding this team until this year's hiccup. Should they miss the playoffs and/or Lavi stifles the growth of Couturier another year and I think both can go.
- Flyskippy

that was more like a wet belch

Yup. I'd take Hall back in a jiffy.
- Flyskippy

especially with fedetenko pretty much saying he's moving on

keep hall plz

especially with fedetenko pretty much saying he's moving on

keep hall plz
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I'll be sad to see Fedetenko go. Guy is great at what he does. And who else has that infectious grin?

If he thinks he can get more offensive time someplace else then I wish him luck. No hard feelings.

especially with fedetenko pretty much saying he's moving on

keep hall plz
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Yeah... Feds is Walshed up.

I just want to say that the idea of Tim Thomas as a Flyer goalie makes me ill.

I hope this never happens.
- Marc D

Agreed.

But Bill's point is spot on. Who knows what Homer is up to with what he's planning to do?

I'll be sad to see Fedetenko go. Guy is great at what he does. And who else has that infectious grin?

If he thinks he can get more offensive time someplace else then I wish him luck. No hard feelings.
- FlyersGrace