Bryz hasn't been consistent, no doubt. he needs to be better overall, no doubt. but to start calling a deal a bust in one yr is ridiculous. To hear a host yesterday say "this could go down as the worst signing ever" after on uneven half season makes me sick. Athletes have bad days, weeks, months and years. Its frustrating but it happens. I am not remotely about to bail on a guy so soon.
- nastyflyergirl

Especially after he posted a shutout last night.

Especially after he posted a shutout last night.
- JoeRussomanno

given up one or fewer goals in six of his last eight appearances.

given up one or fewer goals in six of his last eight appearances.
- OrangeBlack27

Its still too many goals in this town

given up one or fewer goals in six of his last eight appearances.
- OrangeBlack27

Yep. Throw away the Rags game, he's looked great compared to his first half.

Yep. Throw away the Rags game, he's looked great compared to his first half.
- funmaster18

almost all the goals they've given up in last 10 have been in the three games vs. boston, nyr, and devs.

What I meant by that, is that just because they are struggling against some teams, doesn't mean they need to get different players or a different coach. They need to work hard and get through it. Getting some depth at the TDL will help, but it won't solve all of their issues.
- funmaster18

I agree, but to sit here and say there is nothing wrong, and if you leave it alone it will get better is wrong. I dont think Lavi needs to go, but he might have to change the lines... Will getting someone solve the whole team, maybe not, but it might compliment someone on the team. They do need to do something to solve thier problems against the teams they are going to face in the playoffs...

And this isnt directed at you funmaster.

almost all the goals they've given up in last 10 have been in the three games vs. boston, nyr, and devs.
- OrangeBlack27

That worries people bc NYR and Boston are the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers have struggled more often than not against those teams.

I do think the Flyers are a good team and can compete with anyone but I dont know if their considered a contender as of today.

i'm not bailing him but i'm just going to call it as i see it
- 2Real

and you see it as a bad deal 1/2 season in?

I agree, but to sit here and say there is nothing wrong, and if you leave it alone it will get better is wrong. I dont think Lavi needs to go, but he might have to change the lines... Will getting someone solve the whole team, maybe not, but it might compliment someone on the team. They do need to do something to solve thier problems against the teams they are going to face in the playoffs...

And this isnt directed at you funmaster.
- RooNosHockey

Thanks for the disclaimer, it's hard to tell sometimes around here when comments are personal or generic

I don't think it will take much. Hell, who knows, maybe picking up the right forward or defenseman sparks something on the team. I think they are close to where they want to be and just need to make some adjustments.

It all starts with Thursday against the Leafs.

That worries people bc NYR and Boston are the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers have struggled more often than not against those teams.

I do think the Flyers are a good team and can compete with anyone but I dont know if their considered a contender as of today.
- stveshdy

I think they would fall a notch below the Rangers and Boston. The potential is there, I think, but they aren't playing that way right now.

I asked several players after practice today about managing energy in the midst of a 7-in-10-day/3-in-4-day stretch of games. Got some thoughtful answers.

Scott Hartnell: "This time of year, your body gets sore. Mine is -- I won't lie about it. We had a good, crisp practice today but kept it pretty short. The biggest thing in between games is to get rest, stay hydrated and then use energy wisely in the game. You really do have to pay attention to each shift and each period, and stay alert mentally as well as physically."

Matt Read: "We're all pretty well-conditioned but it's tough. For me, I want to get out skating, take short, hard shifts early on to get blood pumping and get in the game."

Jakub Voracek: "I think it's real important not to overstay shifts -- always, but especially now -- so you don't wear down."

Personally, it amazes me how well-conditioned today's players really are. Even so, I think the schedule this month is about as brutal as it gets, both in terms of quality of opposition and the number of games at the end of 3-in-4s against rested opponents.

That game on Sunday in Detroit is going to take a herculean effort for the Flyers to win. These aren't robots out there, and even though the mantra is "no excuses" the deck was stacked against the Flyers even before that game at MSG last Sunday and will be equally so by the time the Flyers get to Detroit.

For those who might be interested, I've started a Hockey League on NHL12 for xbox and I'm now up to 23 player. For those who own an Xbox, NHL12 and a gold membership are welcomed to join. The remaining teams left are the following.

The Dallas Stars
The Colorado Avalanche
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The Phoenix Coyotes
The Minnesota Wild
The New York Islanders
The Ottawa Senators.

Please inbox me if you want any of these 7 teams.
- Schenn2shine

i'm sure youre going to have people filling up your inbox to get a hold of one of those "all-timer" squads......good luck with that

I asked several players after practice today about managing energy in the midst of a 7-in-10-day/3-in-4-day stretch of games. Got some thoughtful answers.

Scott Hartnell: "This time of year, your body gets sore. Mine is -- I won't lie about it. We had a good, crisp practice today but kept it pretty short. The biggest thing in between games is to get rest, stay hydrated and then use energy wisely in the game. You really do have to pay attention to each shift and each period, and stay alert mentally as well as physically."

Matt Read: "We're all pretty well-conditioned but it's tough. For me, I want to get out skating, take short, hard shifts early on to get blood pumping and get in the game."

Jakub Voracek: "I think it's real important not to overstay shifts -- always, but especially now -- so you don't wear down."

Personally, it amazes me how well-conditioned today's players really are. Even so, I think the schedule this month is about as brutal as it gets, both in terms of quality of opposition and the number of games at the end of 3-in-4s against rested opponents.

That game on Sunday in Detroit is going to take a herculean effort for the Flyers to win. These aren't robots out there, and even though the mantra is "no excuses" the deck was stacked against the Flyers even before that game at MSG last Sunday and will be equally so by the time the Flyers get to Detroit.
- bmeltzer

Bill, what's the vibe in the locker room? Are the guys frustrated, pissed off, etc. or are they just taking it in stride?

Thanks for all your hard work.

That worries people bc NYR and Boston are the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers have struggled more often than not against those teams.

I do think the Flyers are a good team and can compete with anyone but I dont know if their considered a contender as of today.
- stveshdy

heading into round one of the playoffs is when i worry about whether they are a contender. never thought so in 2010 and they came within 2 stinkin games of winning. there was points last year I thought they were one of the best teams in the league but certainly not by the time the playoffs started. its silly to get too high or too low in February. we obviously want them to be on from Oct to June but that doesn't happen.

That worries people bc NYR and Boston are the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers have struggled more often than not against those teams.

I do think the Flyers are a good team and can compete with anyone but I dont know if their considered a contender as of today.
- stveshdy

broons and rags are clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the east, imo. that being said, you never know what happens come springtime.

rags have lost a couple times to both the leafs and sens and there's a decent chance they could be playing one of them in the first round. who knows?

Bill, what's the vibe in the locker room? Are the guys frustrated, pissed off, etc. or are they just taking it in stride?

Thanks for all your hard work.
- KGBflyers10

I'm not Bill, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. I hope they are taking it in stride. They are still 3rd best in the east and 7th best in the league. They have nothing to hang their heads about. And getting frustrated can only result in being tight, pressing, and exacerbating any downtrend.

heading into round one of the playoffs is when i worry about whether they are a contender. never thought so in 2010 and they came within 2 stinkin games of winning. there was points last year I thought they were one of the best teams in the league but certainly not by the time the playoffs started. its silly to get too high or too low in February. we obviously want them to be on from Oct to June but that doesn't happen.
- nastyflyergirl

I want to have gold stars to post on people's avatars for stuff like this!

Bill, what's the vibe in the locker room? Are the guys frustrated, pissed off, etc. or are they just taking it in stride?

Thanks for all your hard work.
- KGBflyers10

They are trying to take it in stride but when you've only taken four of 10 points since the All-Star break, I think they are real anxious to get on the board early tomorrow night and go from there.

Today there were lots of questions about practicing the shootout and about Pronger's visit. Also, TSN and other Canadian media were here, so the media scrum lasted twice the normal time.

That worries people bc NYR and Boston are the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers have struggled more often than not against those teams.

I do think the Flyers are a good team and can compete with anyone but I dont know if their considered a contender as of today.
- stveshdy

don't worry we can count on a weaker team to knock them out lol

heading into round one of the playoffs is when i worry about whether they are a contender. never thought so in 2010 and they came within 2 stinkin games of winning. there was points last year I thought they were one of the best teams in the league but certainly not by the time the playoffs started. its silly to get too high or too low in February. we obviously want them to be on from Oct to June but that doesn't happen.
- nastyflyergirl

As long as they don't go into the playoff with any glaring issues, anything can happen.

heading into round one of the playoffs is when i worry about whether they are a contender. never thought so in 2010 and they came within 2 stinkin games of winning. there was points last year I thought they were one of the best teams in the league but certainly not by the time the playoffs started. its silly to get too high or too low in February. we obviously want them to be on from Oct to June but that doesn't happen.
- nastyflyergirl

2010 they had alot of things go right that year and still came up short. They actually fell apart down the stretch but most of the year they were around the 4th seed. The playoffs are all about matchups and right now in a seven game series they dont beat the NYR or Boston.

I hear what your saying about anything can happen as teams get hot down the stretch. I dont expect the Flyers to be a serious contender when they have 8 rookies in and out of the lineup. Their defense is too inconsistent from what we have seen to make you think otherwise. Hey, Ill hold out hope with your post though (and I mean that in a good way).

eesh. next to go will be dallas or colorado, eh?
- OrangeBlack27

I just noticed your comment. It's funny because one guy has asked about both teams. So he has to choose one.

Yep. Throw away the Rags game, he's looked great compared to his first half.
- funmaster18

you can't just throw away games...

2010 they had alot of things go right that year and still came up short. They actually fell apart down the stretch but most of the year they were around the 4th seed. The playoffs are all about matchups and right now in a seven game series they dont beat the NYR or Boston.

I hear what your saying about anything can happen as teams get hot down the stretch. I dont expect the Flyers to be a serious contender when they have 8 rookies in and out of the lineup. Their defense is too inconsistent from what we have seen to make you think otherwise. Hey, Ill hold out hope with your post though.
- stveshdy

In the playoffs, it comes down to matchups and getting hot at the right time.

I asked several players after practice today about managing energy in the midst of a 7-in-10-day/3-in-4-day stretch of games. Got some thoughtful answers.

Scott Hartnell: "This time of year, your body gets sore. Mine is -- I won't lie about it. We had a good, crisp practice today but kept it pretty short. The biggest thing in between games is to get rest, stay hydrated and then use energy wisely in the game. You really do have to pay attention to each shift and each period, and stay alert mentally as well as physically."

Matt Read: "We're all pretty well-conditioned but it's tough. For me, I want to get out skating, take short, hard shifts early on to get blood pumping and get in the game."

Jakub Voracek: "I think it's real important not to overstay shifts -- always, but especially now -- so you don't wear down."

Personally, it amazes me how well-conditioned today's players really are. Even so, I think the schedule this month is about as brutal as it gets, both in terms of quality of opposition and the number of games at the end of 3-in-4s against rested opponents.

That game on Sunday in Detroit is going to take a herculean effort for the Flyers to win. These aren't robots out there, and even though the mantra is "no excuses" the deck was stacked against the Flyers even before that game at MSG last Sunday and will be equally so by the time the Flyers get to Detroit.
- bmeltzer

Bill you are a credit to the journalism field. If I didn't think so I wouldn't comment here and say such. Your colleagues would behoove themselves to take note in how you just found a real story and not going for the easy lay up story on how bryz stinks in the gimmick. Thank you for making my day now I really have to get off the computer and get stuff done