"The market can drop on you in a hurry. Goalies are hard to move," Lombardi said. "They're really hard to move. You're never going to get total value, but you try to get the best you can."

I'm glad that Holmgren held his ground instead of applying the "all-in" strategy the Flyers are famous for when they want to sign someone.

Let me try one more time. As you know I am a big fan of Holmgren's style. But, he has to cope with one of the most impatient ownerships in the league.

Bobrovsky was probably a casualty coming out of the Bryzgalov contract. Had the Flyers not signed Bryzgalov, they likely would not have exposed themselves by dealing Bob. They tried to hit a home run by signing Weber and lost Carle during the negotiations.

Sometimes an organization needs to impose some patience, discipline on itself. Holmgren is a really smart GM. I think he knows that there is a very good chance that the "next" goalie may struggle behind this D. In some losses Bryzgalov made the result closer than it should have been.

Am I entirely wrong? I thought Bryzgalov was superb in some of the games I saw him play last year.
- spatso

He was superb in any number of games last year. Flat out outstanding in quite a few, especially early.

But there was no sustainability to it. He'd have a 4 or 5 game tear, and then the level of play would drop. You can get that for a poopload less than $5.66mm per year against the cap.

I'm not saying the guy was garbage, as some do. I'm saying that his overall level of play was not worth the commitment.

I keep seeing Tim Thomas mentioned. Yeah, there's a guy who knows how to keep his mouth shut with the media...the "journalists" in Philly would taunt the poop out of him for quotes, and they'd get them.
- tangent_man

True, but he's not as off-the-wall. Thomas might be a head case, but he's a more calculated one that Bryz. Plus, he's from the US, so Conklin can't do his horrible Borat impression. Then again, if Bryz leaves, Conklin will have a field day with a farewell song.

I keep seeing Tim Thomas mentioned. Yeah, there's a guy who knows how to keep his mouth shut with the media...the "journalists" in Philly would taunt the poop out of him for quotes, and they'd get them.
- tangent_man

If Thomas plays like he did in Boston, I can live with the media BS.

This whole Bernier thing is going to morph into the kind of crybaby bullpoop like we see over losing the draft lottery and not getting a shot at Patrick Kane, isn't it?

Who is to say Holmgren didn't offer that? And who is to say that Lombardi didn't simply prefer the idea of acquiring two NHL roster players (one being a goaltender) instead of one who can be a UFA next summer plus a goaltending prospect who, at best, is three years from potentially being NHL ready. On top of it, Toronto took on $500K worth of dead space on its own cap to free up more cap space for LA (which is something the Flyers weren't in position to do).
- bmeltzer

that's true.

I thought they wanted Stolarz. If that was the hiccup or the deal breaker, it shouldn't have been that hard of a decision. I'd take emery back, but I don't think he will. Anybody but Bryz. His and his agents comments make me not want him on the team anymore.

True, but he's not as off-the-wall. Thomas might be a head case, but he's a more calculated one that Bryz. Plus, he's from the US, so Conklin can't do his horrible Borat impression. Then again, if Bryz leaves, Conklin will have a field day with a farewell song.
- jmatchett383

If Thomas plays like he did in Boston, I can live with the media BS.
- Jsaquella

Realistically, he could be a perfect fit on the ice for a year or two. I can't say, one way or the other.

It would be entertaining though. That's for sure.

If Thomas plays like he did in Boston, I can live with the media BS.
- Jsaquella

Thomas played behind good defense and a solid system. He did steal games here and there, but put him on the Flyers and I'm not sure we see the same results.

This whole Bernier thing is going to morph into the kind of crybaby bullpoop like we see over losing the draft lottery and not getting a shot at Patrick Kane, isn't it?
- Jsaquella

I'm not too upset about losing out on the best young goalie since Jim Carey.

This whole Bernier thing is going to morph into the kind of crybaby bullpoop like we see over losing the draft lottery and not getting a shot at Patrick Kane, isn't it?
- Jsaquella

This is Philadelphia. Everything morphs into that eventually.

This whole Bernier thing is going to morph into the kind of crybaby bullpoop like we see over losing the draft lottery and not getting a shot at Patrick Kane, isn't it?
- Jsaquella

Can you imagine if Toronto wins a Cup with him before the Flyers do? Oh my.

Thomas played behind good defense and a solid system. He did steal games here and there, but put him on the Flyers and I'm not sure we see the same results.
- Deasr1

I'd settle for consistently solid goaltending. I thunk Thomas can do that. He put up good numbers for pretty much the entire time he was a Bruin, not just when they were dominant.

Realistically, he could be a perfect fit on the ice for a year or two. I can't say, one way or the other.

It would be entertaining though. That's for sure.
- tangent_man

True. Yes, give him a 2-year $6.5M (total) deal. He won't put up the same numbers he did in Boston, but he'd probably be as reliable of a split-time starter as we can get.

This whole Bernier thing is going to morph into the kind of crybaby bullpoop like we see over losing the draft lottery and not getting a shot at Patrick Kane, isn't it?
- Jsaquella

flyers missed on a huge opportunity to land a franchise goalie.

I'm not too upset about losing out on the best young goalie since Jim Carey.
- jmatchett383

I actually think he's going to be a good goalie. But there's others who will likely be cheaper and play very solidly themselves.

Off-topic, but Tomas Kaberle is getting CBO'ed. He's over 35, and a defenseman. Welcome aboard, Tomas.

I actually think he's going to be a good goalie. But there's others who will likely be cheaper and play very solidly themselves.
- Jsaquella

He can be a good goalie. He can be the next Jim Carey. Hopefully Stolarz can become a franchise goalie, or some combo of Bryz/Mason/mystery goalie B can become the answer.

Bottom line, Bryz is a good goalie.
- Deasr1

He used to be, but he hasn't shown that in Philly. Slow laterally, ducks pucks near his head, bad on wraparounds, always misses with the poke check, terrible handling the puck, etc. And this year he was basically an empty net on breakaways and in the shootout.

Bottom line, Bryz is a good goalie. In the right system, he is a very good goalie. I am would who would like to see him stay if it wasn't for the amount of years. If we had changed pur style a little sooner, Bryz would had gone undefeated the last 10 games. The contract is the killer, not Bryz. I feel Homer has a strong plan in place. I stated late last night, if Kovalchuk gets bought out, I'm taking a long hard look at him. Offense has gone down some , however, his 2 way play is world's better.
- Deasr1

would love to hear it. listening to eskin this morning, he says the flyers desperate moves are all about trying to get one more cup for ed snider. of course, this has been speculated by others here.

True. Yes, give him a 2-year $6.5M (total) deal. He won't put up the same numbers he did in Boston, but he'd probably be as reliable of a split-time starter as we can get.
- jmatchett383

He'll be 40 in April and is coming off a year of no play. I think a 1 year deal would make a lot more sense.

He'll be 40 in April and is coming off a year of no play. I think a 1 year deal would make a lot more sense.
- BiggE

So do I, but I think he'll get a multi-year offer other places.

flyers missed on a huge opportunity to land a franchise goalie.
- flyersfan51

Perhaps LA didn't want Read. Perhaps they wanted Couturier or Schenn.

Last I checked, it's premature to call a guy with 62 career NHL games a "franchise" goalie. There's other potential "franchise" goalies out there, that might be more affordable than Bernier.

It's amazing how much tunnel vision people suffer from. If Bernier was that great, why didn't anyone offer a 1st rounder? Or top six winger or top 4 defenseman? Obviously, if he was a "franchise" goalie, there'd be more than 3 teams bidding on him, and the return would be far more than a solid third liner, a solid backup and a 2nd rounder.

Bernier is no more a guarantee than any other young goalie.

I'd settle for consistently solid goaltending. I thunk Thomas can do that. He put up good numbers for pretty much the entire time he was a Bruin, not just when they were dominant.
- Jsaquella

I think the Flyers need a more agile goaltender, if they're not going to change the way they play.

If Thomas plays like he did in Boston, I can live with the media BS.
- Jsaquella

if his performance is close to that, they'd prob go into shock

Go after Halak. He is solid. Propose a bigger deal with St. Louis to get K. Shattenkirk but do not include this or next years number one pick. Coburn, or Mezaros($4mil of cap) and Coots, Schenn or Hartnell. Draft top center available(Shrinkrak or top defender(Ristolien) or power forward A. Mantha 50 goals. Get it done and we are looking good. BRYZ.-OUT A HERE!!!!