He already knows he has $15 mill a year coming in the KHL and he has a sick mother in Russia. Perfect storm.

Bryz has a wife who came to the U.S. as a teen and wants no part of 24/7 life in Russia with her two U.S.-born kids. They spend summers there. But being there permanently is not their dream. However, they may be stuck with that if he wants to keep playing. However, thanks to Ed, he doesn't NEED to.
- bodiva88

If I were Bryz, and I didn't LOVE the lifestyle of being in the NHL and the travel, etc...., I'd probably just hang'em up.

If I were Bryz, and I didn't LOVE the lifestyle of being in the NHL and the travel, etc...., I'd probably just play in a beer league.
- johndewar

FTFY

FTFY
- Flyskippy

Or that too....good point!

I think this Flyers team has a puncher's chance of getting up there with those other teams you mentioned.

I'm pretty confident that the Flyers won't miss the playoffs as currently constituted.
- johndewar

Same here. The thing that could put them over the top offensively, like last year, is Courturier and B. Schenn. If these guys can produce more offensively (Schenn with 20+ goals, 50-60 points and Couturier with 15-20 goals, 45-55 points).

I'm still nervous with Laviolette as coach though. Team D is STILL an issue that has yet to be resolved.

If I were Bryz, and I didn't LOVE the lifestyle of being in the NHL and the travel, etc...., I'd probably just hang'em up.
- johndewar

Maybe now he can pursue his passion for space. I mean, he started the training during the lockout, right?

And Emery has a Stanley Cup.
- bodiva88

so does bryz.

her cats kicking your butt?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

i wasn't referring to her actual cats.

Maybe now he can pursue his passion for space. I mean, he started the training during the lockout, right?
- BulliesPhan87

He's pondering his future as we speak:

Same here. The thing that could put them over the top offensively, like last year, is Courturier and B. Schenn. If these guys can produce more offensively (Schenn with 20+ goals, 50-60 points and Couturier with 15-20 goals, 45-55 points).

I'm still nervous with Laviolette as coach though. Team D is STILL an issue that has yet to be resolved.
- NickTheKid87

I'm a bit less nervous about Lavi with a blueline that should move the puck better.

so does bryz.
- hammarby31

I can't get enough of this pic:

Same here. The thing that could put them over the top offensively, like last year, is Courturier and B. Schenn. If these guys can produce more offensively (Schenn with 20+ goals, 50-60 points and Couturier with 15-20 goals, 45-55 points).

I'm still nervous with Laviolette as coach though. Team D is STILL an issue that has yet to be resolved.
- NickTheKid87

But we all know that this "retirement" is a farce. If he retires completely from playing Hockey, then so be it. But that isn't what this is. This is walking away from a franchise that put a lot on the line to acquire the player. And bolting to the KHL. It's not a retirement. Calling it that is a sham.
- MJL

breach by mutual consent

I can't get enough of this pic:


- Tomahawk

Had to copy and paste it in another tab to see it. Huh.

I can't get enough of this pic:


- Tomahawk

Why you heff to hold Cup?

And Emery has a Stanley Cup.
- bodiva88

So did bryzgalov

Same here. The thing that could put them over the top offensively, like last year, is Courturier and B. Schenn. If these guys can produce more offensively (Schenn with 20+ goals, 50-60 points and Couturier with 15-20 goals, 45-55 points).

I'm still nervous with Laviolette as coach though. Team D is STILL an issue that has yet to be resolved.
- NickTheKid87

You nailed it, I think. BSchenn and Couturier are the wild cards, IMO, and the key to how far this team goes.

I'm betting Lavvy is on a pretty short leash, so if some of last year's ugliness isn't cleaned, you can bet that Homer will go in a different direction, in season. Especially since, you can't really accuse Homer of sitting on his hands this off-season. We can debate the merits of the moves, but Homer can say with a straight face that he did "something" to improve facets of the team. Homer could obviously not have said that last summer..

Whether they were the right facets is obviously up for debate.

But we all know that this "retirement" is a farce. If he retires completely from playing Hockey, then so be it. But that isn't what this is. This is walking away from a franchise that put a lot on the line to acquire the player. And bolting to the KHL. It's not a retirement. Calling it that is a sham.
- MJL

Legally, as long as there is no CBA/Transfer Agreement violation, the move is kosher.

Morally and ethically, that's another question... but then again, this is world of professional sports... when did anybody really give a damn about morality and ethics until it was their turn to get the shaft?

Star players have been bolting for years from other leagues to the NHL, one way or another.

Same here. The thing that could put them over the top offensively, like last year, is Courturier and B. Schenn. If these guys can produce more offensively (Schenn with 20+ goals, 50-60 points and Couturier with 15-20 goals, 45-55 points).

I'm still nervous with Laviolette as coach though. Team D is STILL an issue that has yet to be resolved.
- NickTheKid87

Yes thank you

Legally, as long as there is no CBA/Transfer Agreement violation, the move is kosher.

Morally and ethically, that's another question... but then again, this is world of professional sports... when did anybody really give a damn about morality and ethics until it was their turn to get the shaft?

Star players have been bolting for years from other leagues to the NHL, one way or another.
- Tomahawk

I think some former players (*cough*Roenick*cough*) need to realize that, if they had the option that Kovalchuk had, they might well have done the same thing.

But I imagine the air smells good on JR's high horse.

Do you guys see this team as:

1) guaranteed spot (1-3 in their conference)
2) Wild card spot (4-5 in conference)
3) Outside looking in

I'm a bit less nervous about Lavi with a blueline that should move the puck better.
- BulliesPhan87

I think the offense will be much improved solely from the addition of Streit but even when Carle and Pronger were here, team D was an issue.

You nailed it, I think. BSchenn and Couturier are the wild cards, IMO, and the key to how far this team goes.

I'm betting Lavvy is on a pretty short leash, so if some of last year's ugliness isn't cleaned, you can bet that Homer will go in a different direction, in season. Especially since, you can't really accuse Homer of sitting on his hands this off-season. We can debate the merits of the moves, but Homer can say with a straight face that he did "something" to improve facets of the team. Homer could obviously not have said that last summer..

Whether they were the right facets is obviously up for debate.
- johndewar

I'd say Lavy gets fired if they lose 15 games before they win 10.

i wasn't referring to her actual cats.
- hammarby31

Oh sheesh I have to admit that went WHOOSH over my head

Do you guys see this team as:

1) guaranteed spot (1-3 in their conference)
2) Wild card spot (4-5 in conference)
3) Outside looking in
- jmatchett383

If Lavi does not change they way they play, 2, or 3.

I think the offense will be much improved solely from the addition of Streit but even when Carle and Pronger were here, team D was an issue.
- NickTheKid87

I think it should at least help them get out of our zone more easily. Otherwise, I agree. As long as we see more W's than L's though, right?