And Bryzgalov's agent, who according to you is making public statements in an attempt to get his client out of Philly, is good form, and doesn't reflect poorly on Bryzgalov?

The results aren't obvious. They Flyers had zero interest in Vokoun. If the Flyers had waited until July 1, that would not guarantee that Bryzgalov's demands would change. The Flyers weren't at the mercy of anyone. They likely had what they were prepared to pay already figured out before even acquiring Bryzgalov.
- MJL

Plus, you never know what's going to happen if a player gets to free agency. It's possible the Flyers could have had to pay more than that if there were other teams interested in Bryzgalov, regardless if Vokun was an option.

Bryzgalov had some leverage in that the flyers traded for his rights, but the Flyers, like you said, likely had their desired price range and limits already set.

Personally, I had high hopes for Bob. Wish they hung on to him with the young team they have, but we will see what they do now.
- funmaster18

Its all Nabakov's fault. If he would have signed for something less then the 5 million he was asking, Bob would be our starter right now.

Homer's 2 loves besides bike riding...35yo players and 2nd round picks
- vejim

Preferably jumping out of a giant birthday cake half naked...

Its all Nabakov's fault. If he would have signed for something less then the 5 million he was asking, Bob would be our starter right now.
- youarewrong

*gathers torches*

Its all Nabakov's fault. If he would have signed for something less then the 5 million he was asking, Bob would be our starter right now.
- youarewrong

What's pathetic is that if they had waited for July 1, instead of pre-empting the market yet again, they probably could have their choice between Bryz, Vokoun and Nabokov all at deep discounts.

It's actually plausible that they could have ended up w/ Bryz AND had the cap-space to keep Bob around.

Preferably jumping out of a giant birthday cake half naked...
- FlyersGrace

WHAT!?!?!?!?! Where's that come from?

all in all I would like the flyers to stay the course and add where they can and sit tight for a bit. No need to break the bank for anyone. The Flyers are not exactly a lead pipe lock to contend for the cup with this roster, so I don't see the sense in breaking the bank to add anything, unless it's a franchise defenseman (which is very difficult to do). I like the team and want to see how they play in a full season with some of these young guys getting older.

The flyers have several young pieces they can use at the TDL if they need to get over the hump then.

if I am Snider I research which teams had the greatest success drafting goalies and Dmen over the last 10 years and pay the big bucks to their scouts

The did not do so immediately after the trades. I'm just going to agree to disagree.
What if the Flyers attempt to add a goal scoring Winger? What would that tell you about what they're missing? You always look to improve your team.
- MJL

No worries -- agreeing to disagree is fine; we both root for the same team, and reasonable people can disagree. Never really a right or wrong; just what the Flyers did or did not do, and our reactions to either. of those scenarios.

WHAT!?!?!?!?! Where's that come from?
- mayorofangrytown

Grace is fantasizing

What's pathetic is that if they had waited for July 1, instead of pre-empting the market yet again, they probably could have their choice between Bryz, Vokoun and Nabokov all at deep discounts.

It's actually plausible that they could have ended up w/ Bryz AND had the cap-space to keep Bob around.
- Tomahawk

I think the Nabakov fiasco was a year before Bryz. I was saying if he would have signed we wouldnt have felt the need to go out and get Bryz.

What's pathetic is that if they had waited for July 1, instead of pre-empting the market yet again, they probably could have their choice between Bryz, Vokoun and Nabokov all at deep discounts.

It's actually plausible that they could have ended up w/ Bryz AND had the cap-space to keep Bob around.
- Tomahawk

Really hard to say. Won't ever know for sure. I wasn't a big fan of the signing regardless of cap hit, to be honest.

I really liked the idea of a stopgap for Bob.

if I am Snider I research which teams had the greatest success drafting goalies and Dmen over the last 10 years and pay the big bucks to their scouts
- vejim

So you want Nashville's entire scouting department?

So you want Nashville's entire scouting department?
- jmatchett383

yes

Don't bite my head off, but I just don't see any moves that the Flyers are going to make this summer that would make them a SERIOUS cup contender next year. B. Schenn and Couturier are still 2 to 3 years from hitting their prime, the top end of the D is still weak and they're not getting Weber, OEL, or Pietrangelo without completely gutting their team. Their 3rd and 4th line depth is a bit weak, nor do they have the cap space to address it while still adding the legitimate goal scorer that they could still use in their top 6.

I know most fans and Ed Snider don't want to hear this but we all need some patience. With Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Couturier, both Schenns, Mason, Gustafsson and Laughton all 25 or younger there is no need to rush into anything stupid.

Therefore:
Buy out Bryz
Sign Ray Emery to a 2 year deal
DO NOT trade your first round draft pick for immediate help
Don't blow needed cap dollars on aging free agents.
Let the kids continue to develop
Continue to play the more defensively responsible style that you played down the stretch.

Do all of the above and, as long as they stay relatively healthy, they are back in the playoffs. And, if for some reason they miss the playoffs, they will once again have a top 14 pick in what most scouts feel will be another excellent draft. If Mason doesn't work out, address the goaltending issue next offseason and they could be a REAL contender by 2014-2015.
- BiggE

Post of the Day

WHAT!?!?!?!?! Where's that come from?
- mayorofangrytown

Have you MET me? Read any of my posts that could be tangent_man worthy?
Sheesh...
Could be I was put on this earth to skate the line of ban worthy mental images... Or not.

There are days this board needs the levity. Or maybe it's just me.

Grace is fantasizing
- vejim

About the +35yr old or the 18yr old 2nd round pick?
And isn't that what all you guys are doing?

if I am Snider I research which teams had the greatest success drafting goalies and Dmen over the last 10 years and pay the big bucks to their scouts
- vejim

I'd give a lot of money to Trevor Timmins.

So you want Nashville's entire scouting department?
- jmatchett383

It'll do for a start....

About the +35yr old or the 18yr old 2nd round pick?
And isn't that what all you guys are doing?

- FlyersGrace

About that 35+yr old jumping out of the cake naked, possibly while on the phone attempting to trade said 18yr old 2nd round pick.

And Bryzgalov's agent, who according to you is making public statements in an attempt to get his client out of Philly, is good form, and doesn't reflect poorly on Bryzgalov?

The results aren't obvious. They Flyers had zero interest in Vokoun. If the Flyers had waited until July 1, that would not guarantee that Bryzgalov's demands would change. The Flyers weren't at the mercy of anyone. They likely had what they were prepared to pay already figured out before even acquiring Bryzgalov.
- MJL

trying to straddle the fence...have it both ways

your lock in theory of negotiations is what it is. if you don't even create a reservation point, nor the opp to do so, you lose. you have to create the appearance that you'll walk away...flyers don't do this well.

all in all I would like the flyers to stay the course and add where they can and sit tight for a bit. No need to break the bank for anyone. The Flyers are not exactly a lead pipe lock to contend for the cup with this roster, so I don't see the sense in breaking the bank to add anything, unless it's a franchise defenseman (which is very difficult to do). I like the team and want to see how they play in a full season with some of these young guys getting older.

The flyers have several young pieces they can use at the TDL if they need to get over the hump then.
- funmaster18

I'm not a big fan of "waiting" What if the current pieces you have aren't good enough. Then you end up like the panthers for like 10 years. I mean you would think with high picks all those years ago they would have a stellar team by now. You would expect Booth, Weiss, and Hornton would have become stars when they were drafted, but waiting on your youth to develop didn't work well for them... or Winnipeg/atlanta... or many other teams.

I'm not a big fan of "waiting" What if the current pieces you have aren't good enough. Then you end up like the panthers for like 10 years. I mean you would think with high picks all those years ago they would have a stellar team by now. You would expect Booth, Weiss, and Hornton would have become stars when they were drafted, but waiting on your youth to develop didn't work well for them... or Winnipeg/atlanta... or many other teams.
- youarewrong

And not waiting/impatience has won the Flyers how many Cups since 1975?

Does anyone else fanatize about time traveling to about 10 years ago with the knowledge of the players you have and becoming an Uber scout.... knowing who all the gems of the draft are going to be.

Like Marty's Sports Almanac.

Personally, I had high hopes for Bob. Wish they hung on to him with the young team they have, but we will see what they do now.
- funmaster18

Maybe it doesn't make sense to others but as posted, there was a reason why Bob didn't start game 2 of the playoffs in 2011. There shouldn't have been too much of a shock that Brian Boucher was gonna play because he had recent success and past success at being a number 1 goalie in the playoffs for the Flyers. You need that mental toughness. With the Philadelphia Flyers, there has always been a need to find a number 1 goaltender. The Flyers thought it was gonna be Ilya Bryzgalov. I really thought it was a great signing at the time when we did pick up Bryz.