Question I have is who do you get to replace Bryz? A 500k backup type and let Mason roll? If so, it may be a mess of Mason struggles.
- Hextall271

Are you kidding me? Did you see Mason in his extensive tryout with the Flyers? Maybe you missed how he handled the puck behind the net? This guy has franchise goalie written all over him. Screw the buyout period. Once the NHL sees how elite Mason is, they'll have to suspend all NHL activities to allow us to buy out Bryz....

But seriously, I agree. You let Bryz and Mason play it out this year and use the buyout next summer, if you reach the conclusion that Mason is the better investment.

In watching the NHL playoffs, the Flyers have as much talent as anyone currently playing in the Eastern Conference.
- johndewar

On paper, sure. Gotta get it translated to the ice, though, because paper doesn't mean squat.

They do, but I think the Caps and Sens would tune them up with the styles they're playing right now.
- jmatchett383

I agree 100%. Even the Isles (except Nabokov) would likely school them.

I wouldn't touch Emery, and it's not because I don't like him. The hip injury robbed him of his former lateral movement and quick recovery ability that he used to have. He's had to re-learn the position and change his style to be more of a positional, let-the-puck-hit-me kind of goalie. That works very well in Chicago. It wouldn't work so well with the way the Flyers play, IMO.
- bmeltzer

Sort of like Bryz, huh?

Maybe. Love the way Ottawa is playing right now.


- johndewar

How can you not? Especially with all they went through during the regular season. They are kicking ass and taking names this series.

On paper, sure. Gotta get it translated to the ice, though, because paper doesn't mean squat.
- Scoob

Agreed. Skating on paper is a disaster.

I'm not rooting for any team in the playoffs, I'm just enjoying the hockey.

That said, I will admit to throwing a hand up and shouting "score!" when Tavares tied the game yesterday. Somehow the playoffs seem a little better with the Isles in it again.

How can you not? Especially with all they went through during the regular season. They are kicking ass and taking names this series.
- Scoob

If any team can use the injury excuse card, it's the Senators.

Spezza, a guy who was a top 5 scorer last year, Anderson, who was one of the top goalies in the NHL when he got hurt, Michalek who was their leading goal scorer when he got dinged and finally, the reigning Norris winner and most dynamic defenseman in the game being lost for the bulk of the year.

If MacLean isn't the Adams winner, it's a joke

If any team can use the injury excuse card, it's the Senators.

Spezza, a guy who was a top 5 scorer last year, Anderson, who was one of the top goalies in the NHL when he got hurt, Michalek who was their leading goal scorer when he got dinged and finally, the reigning Norris winner and most dynamic defenseman in the game being lost for the bulk of the year.

If MacLean isn't the Adams winner, it's a joke
- Jsaquella

At the end of the day, the Flyers need a replacement to Timmonen.

Not sure who that guy is, but it needs to be a part of their plan.

Maybe Ghost will be that guy five years from now, or maybe the guy they draft this year will....but they need someone for the short term.

I'm not rooting for any team in the playoffs, I'm just enjoying the hockey.

That said, I will admit to throwing a hand up and shouting "score!" when Tavares tied the game yesterday. Somehow the playoffs seem a little better with the Isles in it again.
- Scoob

The Islanders are better than a lot of people give them credit for.

Conversely, I don't think Pittsburgh will be coming out of the East this year.

Sort of like Bryz, huh?
- Jsaquella

As a matter of fact, yes. That's exactly how I think Emery would fare in a second tour of duty here.

On a side note I'm glad that Ottawa and Montreal decided to amp things up last night since we have no Penguins / Flyers action this time around...

Would it really be the worst thing in the world if just for once the Flyers showed some patience.
Don't trade any of the young forwards, take the best player available at 11 or trade down.
Only trade up, if you can do so without giving up more than a 3rd rounder and perhaps a good but not great prospect like Cousins. If that will get them to Edmonton's #7, I would do the deal.
Sign a stop gap defenseman like Mark Streit to a 2 year deal and go with a D of:
Streit or a similar player-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Grossman-Mez or Gus
Hold on to Mezaros for now, if he gets healthy and returns to the lineup next year, his value will go up.

I would still buyout Bryz and Briere, going into the season with ample cap space is not such a bad thing as it will allow the flexibility to deal during the season.

If Lavy commits to playing a toned down, more defensively responsible version of his system, there is no reason that they can't compete for a playoff spot next year. I don't see any way they are a cup contender next year, so why break up a good young nucleus of forwards?

Thoughts?
- BiggE

pretty much agree. clear out the bad contracts, get an acceptable replacement to compete w/ mason and focus on growing this core. i would target 2-3 players at the draft outside the top 3 and see if there is an opp to grab one of them.

If any team can use the injury excuse card, it's the Senators.

Spezza, a guy who was a top 5 scorer last year, Anderson, who was one of the top goalies in the NHL when he got hurt, Michalek who was their leading goal scorer when he got dinged and finally, the reigning Norris winner and most dynamic defenseman in the game being lost for the bulk of the year.

If MacLean isn't the Adams winner, it's a joke
- Jsaquella

Agreed

The Islanders are better than a lot of people give them credit for.

- johndewar

Yep. I see them a lot and they are a good young team.

Conversely, I don't think Pittsburgh will be coming out of the East this year.

Agreed. I think Fleury will be their Achilles heel.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Worlds, Hobey Finalist Signs w/ Phantoms
- Bill_Meltzer

Boosh should retire at this point. He has a family to think about. I'm sure the Flyers could give him a nice job as a scout. Or, he has the face for TV and could do the Flyers pre-game and post-game live shows.

Of course I'm just a fan, what the hell do I know about a players intentions to continue with his livelihood and life's dream.

He's a good guy though and I wish him the best.

I'm fine with either option on Bryzgalov. If he stays, I have faith he can work with Mason and provide good goaltending. If he's bought out, my hope is that they get a solid guy to be in tandem with Mason, sort of like they did in bringing in Hackett and then Burke to work with Esche.
- Jsaquella

I actually think that Mason is going to be our guy going forward (his technique looks so solid and his confidencce is back..look out) . Especially if Homer acquires a puck mover on D so that everyone else can be slotted in correctly back there. If Mason shows to be solid over the long season, buy Bryz out next summer and sign a UFA tender in the 2014 offseason.

As a matter of fact, yes. That's exactly how I think Emery would fare in a second tour of duty here.
- bmeltzer

Well if that's the case at least Emery won't cost 5.7 million for another 7 years!

Yep. I see them a lot and they are a good young team.



Agreed. I think Fleury will be their Achilles heel.
- Scoob

The goal he let in for the winner in game 2 was horrid. He's completely overrated I think.

I agree, except I wouldn't buyout Bryzgalov.
- MJL

Only reason to buy out bryz this summer is to avoid worrying about him being injured during next years buyout period.

I'm not rooting for any team in the playoffs, I'm just enjoying the hockey.

That said, I will admit to throwing a hand up and shouting "score!" when Tavares tied the game yesterday. Somehow the playoffs seem a little better with the Isles in it again.
- Scoob

Agreed, having the Isles back in the playoffs just fits. I'm making them my favorite team for the playoffs this year. I just like the way they play. Harmonic (sp?) I really like.

The goal he let in for the winner in game 2 was horrid. He's completely overrated I think.
- Hextall271

Fleury is quick, but he does seem to be having problems.

I enjoy watching teams push back against the Penguins, who play with an arrogance that makes them utterly hateable.

Montreal plays with that same arrogance, too.

The goal he let in for the winner in game 2 was horrid. He's completely overrated I think.
- Hextall271

What are you talking about? That goal he scored in Game 2 was a la John LeClair, battling in front of pushing it over the goal line.

Only reason to buy out bryz this summer is to avoid worrying about him being injured during next years buyout period.
- twotoekenn

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I can vaguely remember reading that it would actually be cheaper if the team bought out Bryz this summer instead of next.

I'm fine with Bryz coming back and working with Mason.

Fleury is quick, but he does seem to be having problems.

I enjoy watching teams push back against the Penguins, who play with an arrogance that makes them utterly hateable.

Montreal plays with that same arrogance, too.
- johndewar

agreed!
I wouldn't mind seeing a St Louis/Ottawa matchup in the finals. With Hitch and MacLean, the post game pressers would be a treat!