I saw a similar stat over the weekend.

People complain about the pressure goaltenders are under in Philly.

No pressure in TO at all, amirite?
- johndewar

None at all!

I could see calling the mandate to solidify the goaltending, resulting in the Bryzgalov contract, as desperate. The three mega-contracts last summer seem desperate, especially in hindsight. It still sounds like Eskin is overstating it. I know, unexpected from his ilk.
- BulliesPhan87

I don't know if it is desperate. When the perception is that you lost the Cup due to goaltending. It makes sense to go out and get who you feel is the best Goalie available.

On the one hand, the Flyers are pretty good at evaluating North American, forward talent. On the other hand, it would be nice if they could broaden their horizons a bit in the first round.

i don't think his agent would be
- Don'tForgetTocchet

What do you think he's looking for? Other then a sunmy place to live.

But only Emery with a bum hip. A fully healthy Emery, no way!
- MJL

Still can't believe Peters did that. But, at least he fought Ray Emery (I'd love a Hextall-Emery fight in their primes). That goon Haley on the Islanders decided to fight Brent Johnson, and that whole game was a black eye for that entire franchise.

On the one hand, the Flyers are pretty good at evaluating North American, forward talent. On the other hand, it would be nice if they could broaden their horizons a bit in the first round.
- PhillySportsGuy

LOVE YOUR AVATAR.

I don't see that as changing tactics. I see that as being aggressive. They were willing to risk losing Carle to try and improve the team. It didn't work out. If they had landed Suter or Weber. The fanbase would be much happier and we'd be talking about how good of a plan it was. Each Season the roster needs to be tweaked. They identified a need and addressed it in signing Streit. In hind sight I'd rather they had kept Carle. But that's monday morning QB'ing. Just because they make additions to the team, doesn't mean they have abandoned a plan. Why would they not try to make the team better?
- MJL

It's being shortsighted. I understand and am OK with the Streit move. But I'd rather have Carle for a little more money on an under 35 deal than Streit on an Over 35 one.

Yes, if they had landed Weber or Suter, it would have been one thing. But they put a ton of eggs in one basket that way.

I have no issue with Monday Morning Qbing. That's how you learn from mistakes and avoid repeating them.

speaking of goalies, here's a good quick read on bob:

http://ingoalmag.com/news...fd4e-b2eb61b987-195042877

I agree with you kinda yea our d is bad but our 5 on 5 is equally as bad and maybe even worse then the d. Offense is def a need for this team
- griouxmvp2012

Just throwing this out there.. Two seasons ago, with just about the same core, we were the second best 5v5 scoring team.

If he is bought out, I'd be open to a 3 or 4 year deal for him.
- Jsaquella

Do you think now that the Leafs are out of the Luongo sweepstakes that there is a better chance Lu gets bought out? If he is bought out, I'd send Bryz packing and sign him in a New York minute.

None at all!
- BulliesPhan87

I think it's different. So many illogical fans blame the goaltending. Any sane Flyer fan can tell you that the struggles were team wide. Bryz didn't help much, but he was at the bottom of the list of things that need to be fixed IMHO.

I don't know if it is desperate. When the perception is that you lost the Cup due to goaltending. It makes sense to go out and get who you feel is the best Goalie available.
- MJL

It was purely a desperation move. If they werent desperate, they would have waited a bit before giving out a 9 year deal to a FA goalie.

LOVE YOUR AVATAR.
- NickTheKid87

I've gotten so many compliments on it. I feel like a middle aged woman who just got a new haircut that everyone likes.

I doubt any team goes more than 4 years on a 33 year old goalie who is already getting a check from Vancouver.
- Jsaquella

i am really curious to see how all this plays out

It's being shortsighted. I understand and am OK with the Streit move. But I'd rather have Carle for a little more money on an under 35 deal than Streit on an Over 35 one.

Yes, if they had landed Weber or Suter, it would have been one thing. But they put a ton of eggs in one basket that way.

I have no issue with Monday Morning Qbing. That's how you learn from mistakes and avoid repeating them.
- Jsaquella

The team should analyze it's processes and how it does things and evaluate it. To learn from it. The fans however is a different thing.

Just throwing this out there.. Two seasons ago, with just about the same core, we were the second best 5v5 scoring team.
- jak521

The one where we had a much better puck-moving defense, weren't crippled by injuries, and had several players put up career-best years?

What do you think he's looking for? Other then a sunmy place to live.
- coffee junkie

i'm just speculating that these agents are dying to get big new contracts for these buyouts and make a ton more money off of them

It was purely a desperation move. If they werent desperate, they would have waited a bit before giving out a 9 year deal to a FA goalie.
- jak521

I don't agree. Why would they have waited? They identified who they felt was the best players and aacquired and signed him.

Targeting those young and future stars is going to cost you some of that impressive core.
- MJL

You could be right. It might cost some high picks, prospects and current roster players as well. I'm just looking at Ryan Ellis and thinking about what he's accomplished so far. Two memorial Cup Victories. Three World juniors (I can't recall how many he's won) and he's been groomed to be a future leader. He's a small guy but I believe he could be the next Kimmo Timonen or better. He doesn't allow his size to be a disadvantage anymore then Timonen does.

Just throwing this out there.. Two seasons ago, with just about the same core, we were the second best 5v5 scoring team.
- jak521

I know I know. I know we need d def need d and I wanna keep our young guys but I wouldn't be against a top line winger that's def a need

I think it's different. So many illogical fans blame the goaltending. Any sane Flyer fan can tell you that the struggles were team wide. Bryz didn't help much, but he was at the bottom of the list of things that need to be fixed IMHO.
- PhillySportsGuy

The biggest issue, IMO, was the coaching and how the players on the roster were utilized. Sure Holmgren didn't get ideal players for Laviolette's preferred system, but coach es have to be able to adjust to what they have on their team.

If I'm a football coach, who likes to pass a lot, but my team has Adrian Peterson at RB and Tavaris Jackson at QB, I'm going to run the ball a lot, despite my preference. Same thing goes here.

Bryz did not help much. That's the problem. He's being paid to be a difference maker. He's not being a difference.

Just throwing this out there.. Two seasons ago, with just about the same core, we were the second best 5v5 scoring team.
- jak521

carle and mesz didn't hurt that

I don't agree. Why would they have waited? They identified who they felt was the best players and aacquired and signed him.
- MJL

I wonder what the discussion was between Snider and Homer. Did Snider tell him that he had to get a big time goalie or did he say he wanted Bryz?

Who thinks we will buy out Bryz and get Luongo or Miller ?

I don't know if it is desperate. When the perception is that you lost the Cup due to goaltending. It makes sense to go out and get who you feel is the best Goalie available.
- MJL

I think it's desperate, granted I've got the advantage of hindsight. They gave up resources to get exclusive access to the perceived best option on the market. Once they had that exclusive negotiating position, they gave him what was at least top of the market value. And in the end, we're left with a goaltender who I can't say has been a catalyst in improving the goaltending/team defense tandem. It's easy to say now, but it really seems desperate and shortsighted.

On a related note, the Bryzgalov signing taught me that trading for a player's rights earns the team no leverage at the bargaining table.