You can make any excuses you want for the moves the Flyers have made over the last few year...it's an embarrassment however you view it. They have given giant contracts to players and bailed on them shortly thereafter. They have anointed a player as the future of the organization, the next Bobby Clarke, and then traded him away. They gave up on a good young goalie and threw away too much money and too many years on a goalie with known character flaws because they have no patience or plan. Over and over again they try for the quick fix, they throw money at the problem, too many years and too much money, guaranteed contracts, no-trade clauses, giving up on their young high draft picks. Embarrassing. And it will be another embarrassment this summer when they throw money away to get rid of their franchise goalie.
- Dkos

So it was a mistake to sign Bryz (which I agree with) and it will also be a mistake to buy him out? So you would rather hang on to an over priced slightly better than average goalie?

Probably correct.

The fact that each were signed to long term contracts shortly before they were traded implies to me the Flyers' brass quickly became disillusioned with the direction the team was headed with both their captain, Richards, and leading goal scorer, Carter, leading the way.

Two cornerstones, both young and still approaching their prime, both surprisingly moved within minutes of one another, couldn't have been a knee jerk kind of decision or one made without the input of the entire management staff.
- 77rams

we know that Ed pushed to go after bryz. from there, who knows?

You can make any excuses you want for the moves the Flyers have made over the last few year...it's an embarrassment however you view it. They have given giant contracts to players and bailed on them shortly thereafter. They have anointed a player as the future of the organization, the next Bobby Clarke, and then traded him away. They gave up on a good young goalie and threw away too much money and too many years on a goalie with known character flaws because they have no patience or plan. Over and over again they try for the quick fix, they throw money at the problem, too many years and too much money, guaranteed contracts, no-trade clauses, giving up on their young high draft picks. Embarrassing. And it will be another embarrassment this summer when they throw money away to get rid of their franchise goalie.
- Dkos

For too long, they never seemingly settled on an identity or attempted to place and stick to any long term plan.

we know that Ed pushed to go after bryz. from there, who knows?
- isaiah520

And yet, he denies this stating Breeze was Homer's call.

You can make any excuses you want for the moves the Flyers have made over the last few year...it's an embarrassment however you view it. They have given giant contracts to players and bailed on them shortly thereafter. They have anointed a player as the future of the organization, the next Bobby Clarke, and then traded him away. They gave up on a good young goalie and threw away too much money and too many years on a goalie with known character flaws because they have no patience or plan. Over and over again they try for the quick fix, they throw money at the problem, too many years and too much money, guaranteed contracts, no-trade clauses, giving up on their young high draft picks. Embarrassing. And it will be another embarrassment this summer when they throw money away to get rid of their franchise goalie.
- Dkos

they are impetuous, but the franchise part of the goalie description has to be earned, not granted.

And yet, he denies this stating Breeze was Homer's call.
- 77rams

he can deny in the miller article, but on 6/22/11 this was in seravalli's column:

Snider made it clear that he is the one who wants Ilya Bryzgalov in a Flyers uniform next season, setting in motion a directive at the end of last season that put general manager Paul Holmgren on a mission.

The Flyers acquired Bryzgalov's rights on June 7.

"It had to be done," Snider told the Daily News, just after arriving here for tonight's NHL Awards show at The Palms Casino and Resort. "I was part of making it happen. It was hard to sit there and watch the Stanley Cup final, knowing what [Tim] Thomas was doing for Boston."

anyone find the game?

here's a stream for those who are at home


http://www.oyetimes.com/l...tch-live-online-streaming

You can make any excuses you want for the moves the Flyers have made over the last few year...it's an embarrassment however you view it.
- Dkos

Yeah, that's more on Snider than anyone. You have to feel for the guy though... it's gotten to the point where it's like a high-wire act. He's done such a masterful job at establishing the team/brand and capturing the hearts of fans that the expectations are set at a dizzying height. If he looks to make a splash and it doesn't work, he looks like a fool. If he doesn't make a splash, he's not doing everything he can. There's no tolerance for an extended period of reflection or rebuilding... they lurch from one thing to the next thing, so it's no wonder they never make any real progress.

he can deny in the miller article, but on 6/22/11 this was in seravalli's column:

Snider made it clear that he is the one who wants Ilya Bryzgalov in a Flyers uniform next season, setting in motion a directive at the end of last season that put general manager Paul Holmgren on a mission.

The Flyers acquired Bryzgalov's rights on June 7.

"It had to be done," Snider told the Daily News, just after arriving here for tonight's NHL Awards show at The Palms Casino and Resort. "I was part of making it happen. It was hard to sit there and watch the Stanley Cup final, knowing what
- isaiah520[Tim] Thomas was doing for Boston."

Snider's actual quotes (any that I've seen) don't indicate that he was the one actually making the player decision and/or directing Homer to try and get Bryzgalov in particular...I do believe Snider made it clear (giving a "directive") to Homer that the goalie situation MUST be addressed...but he didn't "pick" Bryz.

In some of those quotes at the time, seems to me Ed was just a little excited that they landed what Holmgren and others perceived, at the time, to be one of the top UFA goalies. He was maybe boasting a bit that he played some part in the process (i.e., issuing the "directive" to fix the goalie situation).

plus, Seravalli...nuff said.

Going to be an exciting off season thats for sure there is already chatter of trades and buyouts. I'm interested to see who the Flyers get in the draft although if they try and land a top d-man via trade or RFA they probably wont have that 1st round pick.

Disagree completely. Nothing to do with it.
- MJL

I think it had everything to do with it....they were drunk idiots in a suite at a concert that was provided by snider....they were rude and were ask to leave.....they did not....I guess they were trying to show the owner who was boss.. Within in a week or so later...carter was in Columbus...Nuffsaid!!!

Snider's actual quotes (any that I've seen) don't indicate that he was the one actually making the player decision and/or directing Homer to try and get Bryzgalov in particular...I do believe Snider made it clear (giving a "directive") to Homer that the goalie situation MUST be addressed...but he didn't "pick" Bryz.

In some of those quotes at the time, seems to me Ed was just a little excited that they landed what Holmgren and others perceived, at the time, to be one of the top UFA goalies. He was maybe boasting a bit that he played some part in the process (i.e., issuing the "directive" to fix the goalie situation).

plus, Seravalli...nuff said.
- exlund

the article has quotes that contradict what he said in the recent miller article. seravalli can seravalli it up only so much.

London vs Saskatoon highlights

http://mastercardmemorial...video/index/id/1368853167

As the bryz turns

Personally I tire of it. I just hope if they move on they improve over what they had. I don't think backstrom or emery are viable replacements with their injury history. I'd like to see Mason develop and be the guy if Bryz leaves. However the flyers need a durable reliable veteran if they are pulling the trigger. Even the biggest supporters of an amnesty buyout bemoan the lack of patience the organization displayed in acquiring the guy, I say lets not then be too impatient to rid ourselves of him.

London vs Saskatoon highlights

http://mastercardmemorial...video/index/id/1368853167
- ob18

Anything on the Renfrew Creamery Kings vs. Blind River Beavers?

Strickland tweeted that day that homer used the phrase "culture change" when he spoke to richards, as part of the reason for the deal. i also believe in the combo of factors. how to weight them, we'll never really know.
- isaiah520

I think whenever you trade the team Captain, it's a culture change.

I live in LA and supported them last year when they won the cup. Very happy for them. This year, I guess I'm busy but I always miss the following round when the Flyers are out of the playoff's anyway. Problem is I don't want them to have too much success. The only team I think I really kind of like is Ottawa. Pens, Bruins & Rangers are too often Flyer Foes, San Jose is just tough to care about, and Detroit & Chicago are the most recent kickers of the Flyers in the Finals.

As the bryz turns

Personally I tire of it. I just hope if they move on they improve over what they had. I don't think backstrom or emery are viable replacements with their injury history. I'd like to see Mason develop and be the guy if Bryz leaves. However the flyers need a durable reliable veteran if they are pulling the trigger. Even the biggest supporters of an amnesty buyout bemoan the lack of patience the organization displayed in acquiring the guy, I say lets not then be too impatient to rid ourselves of him.
- JoeRussomanno

I'd actually be quite happy if we were to get Tim Thomas for 1 or 2 seasons. He did an outstanding job helping Tukka Rask grow. he'd be very good for Mason.

Anything on the Renfrew Creamery Kings vs. Blind River Beavers?
- 77rams

I don't think soft has anything to do with it. Carter was not then, and is not now a soft player. The Flyers know that. I also don't believe the Captaincy issue had much to do with it either. It was a combination of Cap issues, and lack of young prospects and draft picks.
- MJL

It seems unlikely it was a cap issue because the Flyers are always at the ceiling, so that doesn't make a lot of sense. And Carter and Richards were/are both pretty young.

I've been looking at some other non-flyer blogs and I gotta say we are pretty lucky to have Bill as a writer. Some of these other team blogs are pretty unprofessional and seem more like rants than actual writing.

the article has quotes that contradict what he said in the recent miller article. seravalli can seravalli it up only so much.
- isaiah520

Seravalli makes a huge leap in the article. And so do you. Snider didn't contradict the previous article. He simply wanted the goaltender situation addressed. The comments made by Snider doesn't suggest that he specifically told Holmgren to get Bryzgalov.

It seems unlikely it was a cap issue because the Flyers are always at the ceiling, so that doesn't make a lot of sense. And Carter and Richards were/are both pretty young.
- wolfhounds

Sure it does when you look at the entire situation. They had a shortage of draft picks, and young prospects. Along with always being at the ceiling. Not a good combination. You have to look at the entire picture. That points to the Cap being a big part of it. It was a choice.

I think it had everything to do with it....they were drunk idiots in a suite at a concert that was provided by snider....they were rude and were ask to leave.....they did not....I guess they were trying to show the owner who was boss.. Within in a week or so later...carter was in Columbus...Nuffsaid!!!
- huks99

Did you have a good time at the concert in the Suite that night?

Seravalli makes a huge leap in the article. And so do you. Snider didn't contradict the previous article. He simply wanted the goaltender situation addressed. The comments made by Snider doesn't suggest that he specifically told Holmgren to get Bryzgalov.
- MJL

That's how I read the article as well.

Free Bryzgalov...
- stveshdy

fire Homer