Hey Puckhead, In Philly
- JoeRussomanno

o now I get it, the pic didn't make it B4 I posted

I wouldn't care if it was he or Tim Thomas here in Philly, no matter who came in here signing for a boatload of cash & performing subpar would hear it just the same regardless, (I believe)
- puckhead17

They would to a point. But eventually there has to be some sort of objective view on this subject, and as far as I am concerned, there has been too much bullpoop. Too much media gasoline turning a campfire in to a bonfire.

Too many people complaining about his personality and that he likes to talk and then using it as a reason for his sub par play. Too many people getting on him for not saving deflections and point blank wide open shots due to egregious defensive breakdowns.

Granted, he does need to make a few more of these saves and get his save % up. But on the flip side of that, that has to be taken in context to how many high % shots and deflections have been leveled at him over the entire season.

The haters, fueled by the media, ignore this completely.

No one here is saying he doesn't need to be better, I just have a problem with those who don't take all factors in to consideration when they level their criticisms.

Pro sports is never about being fair. Never has been. It's about doing what's best for the team. I'm not necessarily saying we need to spoon feed him some wins (I'm not even sure I know what that means). I am saying they need to tell him he's playing, and that he'll still be playing even if he has a bad game or lets in a soft goal. They need to let him play his way out of this, and not have him feeling like every mistake on his part is going to land him on the bench. If that is "spoon feeding", then I'm all for it.

As for fairness, that doesn't enter into it imo. Our best chance for short and long term success is with Bryz playing well. We need to do whatever it takes to make that happen. And if that means not always rewarding Bob with another game when he plays well, then so be it. Bob's time will come. Now, for better or worse, it's all about Bryz.
- BringBack25

Bryzgalov is a professional. He knows, and he needs to know that if he doesn't play well, then his icetime is going to suffer. Just like any other player. How does Laviolette as a Coach, threaten icetime, and take icetime away from other players for not playing well, and then treat Bryzgalov differently. Now I've always said that top players and star players get more leeway. And that is certainly true. But they have given Bryzgalov that leeway. I beleive it is 27 starts to 14 between the two. And if Laviolette keeps running Bryzgalov out there and it keeps costing them points, then that's a sure way for a Coach to lose a team.
I think making Bryzgalov earn his playing time could be a motivator for him and a wakeup call. It could also back fire. But so could your approach. I don't really know for sure. I don't think any of us do.

OT short side goals will do that, fair or not...especially since he lost against cujo, who was the other big name goalie available in the offseason of 98.
- hammarby31

Right, he was doomed from the start because he wasn't Cujo & honestly, everyone wanted Cujo

Bryzgalov is a professional. He knows, and he needs to know that if he doesn't play well, then his icetime is going to suffer. Just like any other player. How does Laviolette as a Coach, threaten icetime, and take icetime away from other players for not playing well, and then treat Bryzgalov differently. Now I've always said that top players and star players get more leeway. And that is certainly true. But they have given Bryzgalov that leeway. I beleive it is 27 starts to 14 between the two. And if Laviolette keeps running Bryzgalov out there and it keeps costing them points, then that's a sure way for a Coach to lose a team.
I think making Bryzgalov earn his playing time could be a motivator for him and a wakeup call. It could also back fire. But so could your approach. I don't really know for sure. I don't think any of us do.
- MJL

Cuz not every player is from the same universe

Right, he was doomed from the start because he wasn't Cujo & honestly, everyone wanted Cujo
- puckhead17

I shortly after named a dog of mine after cujo b/c of that.

Cuz not every player is from the same universe
- JoeRussomanno

Especially a Humongous Big Universh!

They would to a point. But eventually there has to be some sort of objective view on this subject, and as far as I am concerned, there has been too much bullpoop. Too much media gasoline turning a campfire in to a bonfire.

Too many people complaining about his personality and that he likes to talk and then using it as a reason for his sub par play. Too many people getting on him for not saving deflections and point blank wide open shots due to egregious defensive breakdowns.

Granted, he does need to make a few more of these saves and get his save % up. But on the flip side of that, that has to be taken in context to how many high % shots and deflections have been leveled at him over the entire season.

The haters, fueled by the media, ignore this completely.

No one here is saying he doesn't need to be better, I just have a problem with those who don't take all factors in to consideration when they level their criticisms.
- MBFlyerfan

uh, maybe ok, except for that one line I bolded, um, , ok um

.89% is .89% he's not doing the job, & no one cares or keeps stats on deflections or high shots, or how many shooters used composite sticks on him VS wood sticks

if he was at .91 or .92% none of this stuff would matter

I shortly after named a dog of mine after cujo b/c of that.
- JoeRussomanno

that's awesome!!

Bob has a chip on his shoulder; Bryz is constantly looking over his shoulder. They are 2 different roles and they will result in 2 completely different mentalities. Bob thought he would be the goalie of the future, only to see the Flyers drop a life-long contract on Bryz and more-or-less guarantee that Bob will be trade bait or a life-long backup. He has every reason in the world to play loose and take chances that can pay off big-time.

Bryz, on the other hand, is thrown into the shark tank with the ruthless media and fans. He was expected to walk into Philly and be the next Parent. Unfair expectations or not, he hasn't lived up to them yet and is clearly feeling the pressure from fans, media, and management as well.


- steelydan

I totally agree that each player is in a different spot. That there is immense pressure on Bryzgalov to solve the franchise goal issue. And that Bobrovsky has nothing to lose as the backup and not intended to be the starter. But that's what you take on when you sign on the dotted line and take the 51M. Life's a female dog.

But to your first point: why can't we afford to put the player before the team? Regardless of the team's current performance, this year was more or less a rebuilding year. If there was ever a year to try and get your goalie going, it would be in the same year in which your starting lineup has 4-6 rookies coming in and out of the lineup with your top defenseman being lost for the year. Like it or not, this team is not posed to make a Cup run. Why not work out the kinks with the most important position in hockey (goalie) and be poised for a 2012-2013 cup run???
- steelydan

The rebuilding part is the GM's job. The Coaches job is to win Hockey games and do whatever he feels is the best way to do that. Regardless of how many Rookies are in the lineup and who's injured. I doubt that Laviolette has even mentioned Pronger to the team, and is approaching every game the same as far as trying to win, regardless of who's in the lineup. That's the Coaches job and outlook.

Right, he was doomed from the start because he wasn't Cujo & honestly, everyone wanted Cujo
- puckhead17

i don't think so - just as long as he didn't give up bad goals, and/or cujo didn't win the cup. there wasn't a groundswell of negativity regarding his game during that first season that i recall.

he had a 1.5 gaa in a 6 game series and got poop on. not exactly fair.

uh, maybe ok, except for that one line I bolded, um, , ok um

.89% is .89% he's not doing the job, & no one cares or keeps stats on deflections or high shots, or how many shooters used composite sticks on him VS wood sticks

if he was at .91 or .92% none of this stuff would matter
- puckhead17

All true.

But I still take in to consideration that he has faced an inordinate amount of unstoppable shots (deflections, wide open or otherwise). More than I have ever seen in all my years of watching hockey.

In fact I have never seen a team give up so many flukey goals ever.

i think ethan albright said it best:

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/jokes/read/80474833/

that's awesome!!

- puckhead17

I wanted cujo so I went out and got him done

I totally agree that each player is in a different spot. That there is immense pressure on Bryzgalov to solve the franchise goal issue. And that Bobrovsky has nothing to lose as the backup and not intended to be the starter. But that's what you take on when you sign on the dotted line and take the 51M. Life's a female dog.

The rebuilding part is the GM's job. The Coaches job is to win Hockey games and do whatever he feels is the best way to do that. Regardless of how many Rookies are in the lineup and who's injured. I doubt that Laviolette has even mentioned Pronger to the team, and is approaching every game the same as far as trying to win, regardless of who's in the lineup. That's the Coaches job and outlook.
- MJL

it's why i don't feel bad for him. he's an nhl goalie with a 51 million dollar contract.

and if lava doesn't do that, because of a contract, and the team doesn't respond to his decision of handing bryz starts, it's not going to help him keep his job. self preservation is a part of how any head coach is going to operate.

i don't think so - just as long as he didn't give up bad goals, and/or cujo didn't win the cup. there wasn't a groundswell of negativity regarding his game during that first season that i recall.

he had a 1.5 gaa in a 6 game series and got poop on. not exactly fair.
- hammarby31

Yes, but now when I looked up his stats he had 2) .90% save % seasons for us, he was at that line, but also, that was the trapping dead puck, foot in the crease cry foul era, so he probably quite as good as he should have been, but the loss to Toronto was all about, (like you called it) the bad short side goal & he took the heat.

also remember what he said to the media at his signing, "am I a bargain? I don't consider myself a coat on the rack"

All true.

But I still take in to consideration that he has faced an inordinate amount of unstoppable shots (deflections, wide open or otherwise). More than I have ever seen in all my years of watching hockey.

In fact I have never seen a team give up so many flukey goals ever.
- MBFlyerfan

In addition to not playing well, Bryzgalov has got to be the unluckiest Goalie I have ever seen play this Season.

i think ethan albright said it best:

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/jokes/read/80474833/
- flyerscup2011

If that is serious than that guy has more issues than this guy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxgNCZp8UlA

In addition to not playing well, Bryzgalov has got to be the unluckiest Goalie I have ever seen play this Season.
- MJL

not only has he gotten bad bounces, his team has deflected a ton of shots past him. if not for those factors his gaa could seriously be under 2

Yes, but now when I looked up his stats he had 2) .90% save % seasons for us, he was at that line, but also, that was the trapping dead puck, foot in the crease cry foul era, so he probably quite as good as he should have been, but the loss to Toronto was all about, (like you called it) the bad short side goal & he took the heat.

also remember what he said to the media at his signing, "am I a bargain? I don't consider myself a coat on the rack"
- puckhead17

i would have preferred cujo, but there's no guarantee they would have won anything with him either. he never won elsewhere either (unless my memory is failing and he was a part of that 2002 red wings team as hasek's back up).

All true.

But I still take in to consideration that he has faced an inordinate amount of unstoppable shots (deflections, wide open or otherwise). More than I have ever seen in all my years of watching hockey.

In fact I have never seen a team give up so many flukey goals ever.
- MBFlyerfan

aaaaaaaaaaaaaa Bob has had a lot of deflections as well, foot speed can sometimes erase that shi& & it's not as much an issue, I don't think they were all his fault, but when the season wraps up, he will be judged on his save %, I really believe that stat does not lie & all shots have a way of somewhat evening out

In addition to not playing well, Bryzgalov has got to be the unluckiest Goalie I have ever seen play this Season.
- MJL

agreed.

not only has he gotten bad bounces, his team has deflected a ton of shots past him. if not for those factors his gaa could seriously be under 2
- flyerscup2011

That's a real big stretch. The Flyers aren't close to being good enough defensively to have a Goalie with a GAA below 2.

Witty slogans aside, I think it's pretty clear that this situation is not as black-and-white as you are making it out to be. If they need to spoon-feed him some wins in order to build confidence, it can go a long way and attribute to a stronger mentality in the future which will "breed" success.
- steelydan

I agree with your stance on Bryz. Give the guy a few games to get into a groove and see what happens, they signed him to a 9 year contract and might as well play the heck out of him and get him into a groove

i would have preferred cujo, but there's no guarantee they would have won anything with him either. he never won elsewhere either (unless my memory is failing and he was a part of that 2002 red wings team as hasek's back up).
- hammarby31

No, having Cujo would not have wrapped up a cup either, but he was the better guy at the time & a little younger as well, in Detroit he was pretty much relegated to back up due to age as well