I was in agreement with this before, but I'm moving away from it. What if Bryzgalov doesn't improve his play in those 20 games? How many points will have been thrown away due to insufficient goaltending? The time is come to play the best player and forget about who was brought in for what, and who's making what. I think it's time that Bryzgalov is shown that he is going to have earn playing time.
- MJL

I understand that line of reasoning. I still think Bryz needs to play, and play a lot. It could cost us some points. But I'd rather give them up now and fix this, than let it linger and not get Bryz on track. It's risky, no question. But if it was me I'd take the risk and run Bryz out there for 17 of the next 20 and tell both Bryz and the team, that they're going to have to find a way to work together to get it done.

Oh the Sunday morning hangover


You would have probably still had whether we won or not
- puckhead17

Oh for sure

Agree 100% and I'm tired of the "he needs to be better" talk. Everyone sounds like Andy Reid. The guy is a veteran, not a rookie. They gave big money to a goalie to get consistency in net, and all they've gotten is consistent mediocrity.
- thephillynut

When the season is over all the great saves, bad goals, deflections, long shots, screened shots, & goal posts have a way of evening out sort of.

It comes down to the dude is stopping the puck 89% which is not a reflection of the defense, (as goals against is more so), but on him.

I'm just hoping that Holmgren doesn't go "all in" and try to land a #1 defenseman in-season. I wonder if Jody Shelly could convert to defense and be a #6/7 defenseman? The Flyers should figure out some way to get some value out of their $1 mill/yr spectator.
- Flyers_01

I think it depends on who you give up. I think Schenn might be overhyped.. didn't we also fall for the best prospect not playing in the NHL before? Brendl?

I understand that line of reasoning. I still think Bryz needs to play, and play a lot. It could cost us some points. But I'd rather give them up now and fix this, than let it linger and not get Bryz on track. It's risky, no question. But if it was me I'd take the risk and run Bryz out there for 17 of the next 20 and tell both Bryz and the team, that they're going to have to find a way to work together to get it done.
- BringBack25

I'm running out of patience for him to find his game. There was a clear difference last night between Rinne and Bryzgalov. Not that Bryzgalov played poorly. You could tell that it was going to take a shot like the one from Couturier, and a rebound like the Simmonds goal to beat Rinne. Bryzgalov has to start earning his starts.

Oh for sure
- JoeRussomanno

I stopped at 3



pretty much when my wings ran out

I think it depends on who you give up. I think Schenn might be overhyped.. didn't we also fall for the best prospect not playing in the NHL before? Brendl?
- archion113

Schenn is not overhyped. Prospect does not mean a guarantee.

I understand that line of reasoning. I still think Bryz needs to play, and play a lot. It could cost us some points. But I'd rather give them up now and fix this, than let it linger and not get Bryz on track. It's risky, no question. But if it was me I'd take the risk and run Bryz out there for 17 of the next 20 and tell both Bryz and the team, that they're going to have to find a way to work together to get it done.
- BringBack25

I'm as big of a bryz supporter as anyone here, but I think that ship might have sailed already. The time to do that should have been in the first half. We're in the second half of the season and only 8 pts ahead of the ninth place team. A four game slide and you are on the outside looking in. It's not the end of the world if we find out Bobrovsky is Pelle Lindbergh reincarnated and that Bryzgalov is Pete Peeters 3.0 or the san jose version of Ed Belfour. Give Bob some starts against teams like Boston, who are here next week, and see what happens. If the kid comes out strong then by all means I have no problem riding him in the playoffs.

I'm running out of patience for him to find his game. There was a clear difference last night between Rinne and Bryzgalov. Not that Bryzgalov played poorly. You could tell that it was going to take a shot like the one from Couturier, and a rebound like the Simmonds goal to beat Rinne. Bryzgalov has to start earning his starts.
- MJL

Can't blame anyone for feeling that way about Bryz. I'm just not sure he's ever going to get where we need him to be if he feels like he has to be perfect every game or lose his spot to Bob. I hope I'm wrong, but I haven't seen anything yet that makes me think I am.

I stopped at 3



pretty much when my wings ran out
- puckhead17

Your wings didn't run out I clipped them and chrome plated them

Can't blame anyone for feeling that way about Bryz. I'm just not sure he's ever going to get where we need him to be if he feels like he has to be perfect every game or lose his spot to Bob. I hope I'm wrong, but I haven't seen anything yet that makes me think I am.
- BringBack25

If he's that weak mentally and isn't willing to strap on his boots and work his way out of it, and earn his starts. Then it really isn't going to matter.

I'm running out of patience for him to find his game. There was a clear difference last night between Rinne and Bryzgalov. Not that Bryzgalov played poorly. You could tell that it was going to take a shot like the one from Couturier, and a rebound like the Simmonds goal to beat Rinne. Bryzgalov has to start earning his starts.
- MJL

Wow, I never thought I'd hear you, (MJL) say that

I think it depends on who you give up. I think Schenn might be overhyped.. didn't we also fall for the best prospect not playing in the NHL before? Brendl?
- archion113

I think your going to love Schenn.

Bill, I always look foward to your analysis but don't like micro analysis. Shenn "regressed" because of 2 games? I think it goes without saying most rookies will have ups and down. Maybe track his progress quarterly or in 10 game segments but to make a determination that he's regressed because of 2 games doesn't mean much. By the way, they said that that Bobby Clarke lacked straight ahead speed. If Coots has half of Clarkie's career success I'd be pleased.

Your wings didn't run out I clipped them and chrome plated them


- JoeRussomanno

Smirnoff

oooo that's gasoline your drinking bro'

Bill, I always look foward to your analysis but don't like micro analysis. Shenn "regressed" because of 2 games? I think it goes without saying most rookies will have ups and down. Maybe track his progress quarterly or in 10 game segments but to make a determination that he's regressed because of 2 games doesn't mean much. By the way, they said that that Bobby Clarke lacked straight ahead speed. If Coots has half of Clarkie's career success I'd be pleased.
- 2731color

Here is what Bill said, and he's correct.

"On the flip side, I think fellow rookie Brayden Schenn has regressed a bit in the last two games."

I'm as big of a bryz supporter as anyone here, but I think that ship might have sailed already. The time to do that should have been in the first half. We're in the second half of the season and only 8 pts ahead of the ninth place team. A four game slide and you are on the outside looking in. It's not the end of the world if we find out Bobrovsky is Pelle Lindbergh reincarnated and that Bryzgalov is Pete Peeters 3.0 or the san jose version of Ed Belfour. Give Bob some starts against teams like Boston, who are here next week, and see what happens. If the kid comes out strong then by all means I have no problem riding him in the playoffs.
- JoeRussomanno

I think that with this team, and the rebuilding movement we're in now, it's more important to get this issue fixed that it is to worry about playoff seedings, or even making the playoffs. This team isn't winning the cup this season without a lifetime's worth of lucky bounces and favorable matchups. I think it's more important to fix this now and set ourselves up for the future than it is to worry about where we finish this season.

I'll be just as disappointed as the next guy if we don't make the playoffs, but I think with this team we have to be thinking long term, not in 'win now' mode. Same reason I don't want to trade any young players or draft picks for big ticket deadline acquisitions.

Bill, I always look foward to your analysis but don't like micro analysis. Shenn "regressed" because of 2 games? I think it goes without saying most rookies will have ups and down. Maybe track his progress quarterly or in 10 game segments but to make a determination that he's regressed because of 2 games doesn't mean much. By the way, they said that that Bobby Clarke lacked straight ahead speed. If Coots has half of Clarkie's career success I'd be pleased.
- 2731color

I don't think he made these remarks to condemn the players rather than objectively state where they are in their career and what they need to do to improve, there's nothing wrong with that. To say Couturier lacks straight ahead speed isn't saying he stinks, in fact he's still young and could greatly improve upon the wealth of talent he already has.

Schenn did make a fatal blunder with the puck last night. Is anyone out with pitchforks and torches? No. But being a journalist bill has to report what he sees too.

Here is what Bill said, and he's correct.

"On the flip side, I think fellow rookie Brayden Schenn has regressed a bit in the last two games."
- MJL

I was impressed when he came back & was elevated a few weeks ago, but I think the jury is still out on him, we actually have a lot of forwards now & a lot of options

Wow, I never thought I'd hear you, (MJL) say that


- puckhead17

I feel he has been given enough time. I still believe in him. I'm still confident in the signing and won't be this way forever. But the time has come to play the better player. It really isn't fair to the other players on the team to not do so. I felt to make this move earlier would have been premature. But were past that point in my opinion. It's still a long Season, and things can change.

That's this year! Clearly in my reply, I said in Carter's years with the Flyers. This false argument has come up before. I've looked at the numbers extensively. And posted them before to refute that. Shall we do it again?
And I'm game to keep on discussing it with you, and will gladly provide the facts.
I'd want Carter shooting the puck if he was still with the Flyers. He was one of the top goal scorers in the League in his time with the Flyers.
- MJL

League top goal scorers - Shot % - CAREER AVERAGES
Stamkos 16.52
Kessel 10.94
Gaborik 13.33
Michalek 12.74
Toews 15.20

All above Carter's 10.88 career average (His current year average is 10.53).

I don't think you're arguement is a winning one. The "best" wrist shot in the league is not Carter. Carter's 10.88 shot % is not good, or as you said "You'll see that Carter's percentages with the Flyers are in norm with other top goal scorers." Ok, Kessel is close. But, 10.88 is not even close to Stamkos, Gaborik, Michalek, and Toews...

I think that with this team, and the rebuilding movement we're in now, it's more important to get this issue fixed that it is to worry about playoff seedings, or even making the playoffs. This team isn't winning the cup this season without a lifetime's worth of lucky bounces and favorable matchups. I think it's more important to fix this now and set ourselves up for the future than it is to worry about where we finish this season.

I'll be just as disappointed as the next guy if we don't make the playoffs, but I think with this team we have to be thinking long term, not in 'win now' mode. Same reason I don't want to trade any young players or draft picks for big ticket deadline acquisitions.
- BringBack25

I can't go along with that. You do what has to be done to make the playoffs. A large part of building for the future is to get some of these young players some playoff experience.

I think that with this team, and the rebuilding movement we're in now, it's more important to get this issue fixed that it is to worry about playoff seedings, or even making the playoffs. This team isn't winning the cup this season without a lifetime's worth of lucky bounces and favorable matchups. I think it's more important to fix this now and set ourselves up for the future than it is to worry about where we finish this season.

I'll be just as disappointed as the next guy if we don't make the playoffs, but I think with this team we have to be thinking long term, not in 'win now' mode. Same reason I don't want to trade any young players or draft picks for big ticket deadline acquisitions.
- BringBack25

Anytime you have a chance to make the playoffs you have a chance to win the championship. I must apologize as I myself forget this at times too. However this team has showed when they play their best they can beat anyone. Like I said if we find out Bobrovsky is Lindbergh 2.0, then I think it's crazy to just shut it down and plan for the future.

I can't go along with that. You do what has to be done to make the playoffs. A large part of building for the future is to get some of these young players some playoff experience.
- MJL

That too

If he's that weak mentally and isn't willing to strap on his boots and work his way out of it, and earn his starts. Then it really isn't going to matter.
- MJL

Well, if mentally weak is what you want to call his sagging confidence, then yes, I think he is that mentally weak. And if we don't get him feeling confident again, it's going to be a long nine years. I think it's worth a 20 game run right now to try to avoid 9 more years of inconsistent play and goalie controversy.