To be fair, the logic was sound: They had an organizational hole years deep, a need that was imperative to fill. Holmgren treated it as a primary issue when he went and got the best guy available. Of course, handing out a nine year contract comes with known caveats. Assuming that Bryzgalov's struggles this season are the exception and not the rule, though, Holmgren's action taken was not what I'd call wrong. It takes a big commitment to attract a top available talent. It's a commitment we'll have to deal with, and we've seen Holmgren and other GMs are willing and able to find solutions.
- BulliesPhan87

I don't like the NMC part of the deal. I also thought this team was going to try and build around Bob. It was a panic move to me. I don't hate Bryz by any means, I just don't like the thought of being tied to any one player for that length of time.

Considering it would cost 5+ to sign Carle, I don't think a cap hit of in the 6.3-6.7 range for Suter wouldn't be outrageous.
- PLindbergh31

Close to Kimmo's salary.
I could live with that. Especially if it is for 5 yrs.

Its the 8-10yr, 7M a season deal that I would say no to.

I don't like the NMC part of the deal. I also thought this team was going to try and build around Bob. It was a panic move to me. I don't hate Bryz by any means, I just don't like the thought of being tied to any one player for that length of time.
- rockychocbill

they overdid the length with Bryz no doubt.

I am strongly leaning toward keeping the picks and building the D through the draft.

I think Bourdon and Gusty can be NHL defenseman.
Coburn and Meszy will be back.

Maybe pick up a free agent this summer to replace Carle if he isn't resigned.
Find someone else the following year after Kimmo is done.

I hate the idea of getting a 34+ yr old UFA to be at this year's deadline for high picks or a promising forward.
- Marc D

In less specific terms, I agree. I'd like to see the Flyers attempt to develop defenseman, and especially to get some at this coming draft. Whether that'll help our more immediate needs, though, remains uncertain. Holmger will need to be creative with the free agency and the trades. I'm not really enthused about a rental veteran d-man, I'd keep a much firmer focus on the next two or three years.

Do you believe that Kimmo Timonen is a "franchise" defenseman? I think most people outside of Philadelphia would say no. But he is vital to this teams success. They're a MUCH different/worse team without him.

I view Suter as a very similar player.
- bradleyc4

Kimmo HAS BEEN the franchise Dman since he arrived. They got one solid year out of Prongs. Kimmo has been a rock every year. He is in the same vein as Desjardins. Calm, positionally sound, reliable and effective. He is the guy on the backend. Having said that, I'd like them to pick up a steady stay-home porch cleaner as a #5 guy before the deadline and let Lilja, Gus, and MAB battle/rotate in the #6 spot. They don't need a name-brand D-man this season. They just need a big, physical guy who is solid in his own end and can take the heat off Bryz, particularly on the PK, when a team like the Pens will want to park a guy like Neal down low. (Oh, and Hal "Teddy Bear" Gill is not that guy!)

Close to Kimmo's salary.
I could live with that. Especially if it is for 5 yrs.

Its the 8-10yr, 7M a season deal that I would say no to.
- Marc D

Yeah. I'm not a fan of those 8-10 year contracts.

3 points out of the top spot in the Conf. is far more then just competitive.
- PLindbergh31

I am still trying to keep my expectations low.
I do think they have been great beyond any reasonable doubt.

You have a big game Sunday coming up. Good luck!

I was listenen to WIP last night before the Flyers game (first mistake) and they were talking about how great the Sixers are, and its al thanks to Collins. I so just wanted to call in and say, "Where has the praise been for Lavi?" The Flyers turn over half thier roster, have lost more man games then any team except the penguins, Traded away their number 1 and number 2 centers, and Lost thier Captain and top 5 defenseman for the year, and they are in 4th place, just outside of 1st."

Second mistake is i didnt call.
- RooNosHockey

Not calling WIP is hardly a mistake in my book

Close to Kimmo's salary.
I could live with that. Especially if it is for 5 yrs.

Its the 8-10yr, 7M a season deal that I would say no to.
- Marc D

Agreed, that would be too much.

I am still trying to keep my expectations low.
I do think they have been great beyond any reasonable doubt.

You have a big game Sunday coming up. Good luck!
- Marc D

I don't think they are as good as NYR, Boston, Detroit, but in the playoffs they may not have to face any of those teams. You just never know.

Kimmo HAS BEEN the franchise Dman since he arrived. They got one solid year out of Prongs. Kimmo has been a rock every year. He is in the same vein as Desjardins. Calm, positionally sound, reliable and effective. He is the guy on the backend. Having said that, I'd like them to pick up a steady stay-home porch cleaner as a #5 guy before the deadline and let Lilja, Gus, and MAB battle/rotate in the #6 spot. They don't need a name-brand D-man this season. They just need a big, physical guy who is solid in his own end and can take the heat off Bryz, particularly on the PK, when a team like the Pens will want to park a guy like Neal down low. (Oh, and Hal "Teddy Bear" Gill is not that guy!)
- Lexington Flyer

Gill may not be that guy but if he comes cheap i'd take em blocks a ton of shots... other then Timmo i don't the rest blocking a ton of shot... and when i mean cheap i mean cheap

Close to Kimmo's salary.
I could live with that. Especially if it is for 5 yrs.

Its the 8-10yr, 7M a season deal that I would say no to.
- Marc D

5 years max, for any player. This trying to circumvent the cap nonsense has, and will continue to, bite teams in the ass.

I don't think they are as good as NYR, Boston, Detroit, but in the playoffs they may not have to face any of those teams. You just never know.
- PLindbergh31

I hope Boston wins the 1st seed and Carolina gets on fire and gets the 8th..then we wouldnt have to worry about Boston

I am still trying to keep my expectations low.
I do think they have been great beyond any reasonable doubt.

You have a big game Sunday coming up. Good luck!
- Marc D

What really has been impressing me is they are beating quality teams too. We beat Vancouver, Nashville, and a bunch of others. We beat Boston once and took them to a shoot-out the second... The only playoff team that we seem to struggle with is the Rangers, and we still play them tough each game. It almost seems like we struggle against the dogs of the league like Winnepeg and Carolina...

what's with goalies and their womanizing?
- funmaster18

i'm flattered you're thinking of marty brodeur and i in the same company.

I hope Boston wins the 1st seed and Carolina gets on fire and gets the 8th..then we wouldnt have to worry about Boston
- Slammed81

Carolina owns them. The Bruins have no idea on what to do with Cam Ward. Guy stands on his head against them. A 47 save shutout last night.

I have had bad luck in recent games I have gone to as well. I think they have lost 5 in a row at WFC with me in attendance, I have been at 4 consecutive wins at the Rock and MSG. I was at the game at MSG when Richards scored the 5-3 shorthanded goal.
- PLindbergh31

it's been mixed for me - but more losses than wins recently.

I was listenen to WIP last night before the Flyers game (first mistake) and they were talking about how great the Sixers are, and its al thanks to Collins. I so just wanted to call in and say, "Where has the praise been for Lavi?" The Flyers turn over half thier roster, have lost more man games then any team except the penguins, Traded away their number 1 and number 2 centers, and Lost thier Captain and top 5 defenseman for the year, and they are in 4th place, just outside of 1st."

Second mistake is i didnt call.
- RooNosHockey

Lava does deserve a ton of credit for sure. He has been able to push some buttons with the guys for sure. Appropriate use of timeouts............and is it just me or have our "too many men on the ice" penalties declined this season.

- Scottie Upshall

i thought you would never come back... I had hoped too.

Carolina owns them. The Bruins have no idea on what to do with Cam Ward. Guy stands on his head against them. A 47 save shutout last night.
- PLindbergh31

i kno Insane

I actually took a co-worker to the game last night BUT I verified it through the fiance. She did not want to go at all....she already went with me to Tuesday's game. it was fun...no lines crossed...
- phi1671

i could see why after tuesday's game NOBODY would ever want to go to another game again. it was bloody awful.

- Scottie Upshall

6-0-1 this year thus far
- OrangeBlack27

you're due for a loss.

i thought you would never come back... I had hoped too.
- jak521

So much for that wager of his