Yeah. They are in between a rock and a hard place. The simple answer is for Bryzgalov to significantly improve his play. Is that realistic? I'm not sure. The defense is better than it was without question. It's never a dull moment with this team. At the very least they are entertaining to watch while being competitive.
- PLindbergh31

Realistically, for both the long and short term health of their guy, they need to let him play.

Neither Kubina or Grossman are Pronger. But they are solid veteran defenseman, who not only should be more solid than MAB and Gus, but also should ease the burdens on Carle, Coburn and Meszaros, as well as help Timonen to conserve some ice time.

Now, Bryzgalov has to improve. There's not another option. He needs to play and play and play. He can't have a bad game like today and wonder if he's playing the next game.

Kubina played with Mezzy and Carle at some point when they were both in Tampa. That may help to speed up the chemistry depending on who he is paired with. I would still rather see Carle with Grossman. Mezzy with Kubina.

And then pray to god Bryz gets some confidence.
- MBFlyerfan

I forget who it was, but it was someone relatively credible that reported Kubina never played in TB with either Carle or Meszaros FWIW.

I haven't researched if that is true or not, but it was mentioned.

If they bring Bernier in here, hope he's a confident guy. First soft goal, he gets to read the stellar analysis of Carchidi and Seravalli wondering if Hoivonen is ready
- Jsaquella

And Panaccio calling a 5-hole goal given up a "rip right over his shoulder."

Maybe. If I was the GM I would be hesitant to upset the apple cart.
- PLindbergh31

The Rangers have also been VERY lucky, when do you see a team that blocks as much as they do & no one gets hurt?

seriously they collapse where it looks like your shooting at 6 goalies sometimes

Kubina played with Mezzy and Carle at some point when they were both in Tampa. That may help to speed up the chemistry depending on who he is paired with. I would still rather see Carle with Grossman. Mezzy with Kubina.

And then pray to god Bryz gets some confidence.
- MBFlyerfan

Im still trying to figure out why Bryz would have confidence issues. He is a veteran goalie. I know he is struggling but goalies of his talent can struggle but they find a way to fight through it and perform.

Kubina played with Mezzy and Carle at some point when they were both in Tampa. That may help to speed up the chemistry depending on who he is paired with. I would still rather see Carle with Grossman. Mezzy with Kubina.

And then pray to god Bryz gets some confidence.
- MBFlyerfan

No he didn't. When Kabina was re-acquired by the Bolts, Meszaros was traded here that same summer. Matt Carle was already long gone at this point. I think Carle may have only played with the Bolts 2 months. Carle and Meszaros however did play together with the Bolts.

Exactly. I know Bernier is a big prospect, and he's stuck behind Quick, but he isn't a sure fire answer. I think the Flyers will have to sink or swim with the duo they have at least through next season.
- PLindbergh31

They should know by next TDL.

I would just hate to see Nabokov come here, get the job, go out in round two and then Bryz be a headcase for 3 or 4 years before they finally buy him out or have him shot

I forget who it was, but it was someone relatively credible that reported Kubina never played in TB with either Carle or Meszaros FWIW.

I haven't researched if that is true or not, but it was mentioned.
- PLindbergh31

Yep. Amazingly he missed both Mesz and Carle.

Then what do you do for the next 8 years with Bryzgalov? Tossing in the towel on him after 40 games one year into a 9 year deal could have serious ramifications with his head, as well as enticing another goalie to come in later.
- Jsaquella

Just looking at it from the owner's possible perspective.

I think he already has serious ramifications with his head. His confidence is non-existent at this point. And I just don't think Mr. Snyder is the "let him play himself out of his funk" kinda guy.

Im still trying to figure out why Bryz would have confidence issues. He is a veteran goalie. I know he is struggling but goalies of his talent can struggle but they find a way to fight through it and perform.
- stveshdy

I don't think he's having confidence issues in himself. He has little confidence in his defense. That will change. Bill has pointed out that bad D and bad goaltending feed one another. Time for the Flyers to get Dr. Saul Miller in there STAT to shore up the psyches of all involved.

Realistically, for both the long and short term health of their guy, they need to let him play.

Neither Kubina or Grossman are Pronger. But they are solid veteran defenseman, who not only should be more solid than MAB and Gus, but also should ease the burdens on Carle, Coburn and Meszaros, as well as help Timonen to conserve some ice time.

Now, Bryzgalov has to improve. There's not another option. He needs to play and play and play. He can't have a bad game like today and wonder if he's playing the next game.
- Jsaquella

Yep. Well said. Laviolette has very little patience with goaltenders as we have seen, now that Bobrovsky's play has fallen off a cliff, Bryzgalov has to be given a chance to play his way out of this.

Realistically, for both the long and short term health of their guy, they need to let him play.

Neither Kubina or Grossman are Pronger. But they are solid veteran defenseman, who not only should be more solid than MAB and Gus, but also should ease the burdens on Carle, Coburn and Meszaros, as well as help Timonen to conserve some ice time.

Now, Bryzgalov has to improve. There's not another option. He needs to play and play and play. He can't have a bad game like today and wonder if he's playing the next game.
- Jsaquella

He did this same poop in Phoenix the thing there was Tippet just kept going back to him. Bryz would always just pull himself together there. that and better team defense makes it easier for a goalie to get focused, gosh I'm sounding reasonable again, at least to myself Wait what did you say? you heard me just shut up and hit submit. Oh allright.

I forget who it was, but it was someone relatively credible that reported Kubina never played in TB with either Carle or Meszaros FWIW.

I haven't researched if that is true or not, but it was mentioned.
- PLindbergh31

you can just look at the time line of the states.

Yep. Amazingly he missed both Mesz and Carle.
- Jsaquella

He's played with Brett Clark (-20) and Randy Jones (infamous Flyers scapegoat), though. He's tainted.

They should know by next TDL.

I would just hate to see Nabokov come here, get the job, go out in round two and then Bryz be a headcase for 3 or 4 years before they finally buy him out or have him shot
- Jsaquella

Yeah. That would suck. And would probably happen. Sometimes guys just aren't cut out to play in certain markets for whatever reason. Not saying that is the case with Bryzgalov, but we are going to find out.

Just looking at it from the owner's possible perspective.

I think he already has serious ramifications with his head. His confidence is non-existent at this point. And I just don't think Mr. Snyder is the "let him play himself out of his funk" kinda guy.
- 77rams

Phoenix wasn't expected to win anything, they were just expected to have their bags packed & ready to go when the time came

a little more pressure here

Yeah. That would suck. And would probably happen. Sometimes guys just aren't cut out to play in certain markets for whatever reason. Not saying that is the case with Bryzgalov, but we are going to find out.
- PLindbergh31

Like Luc Robitaille when NOT in LA.

I liked the Grossman trade. I'm hoping he plays well and is signed to a cap friendly contract, don't understand this Kubina trade at all.
- PLindbergh31

The Kubina trade is to play the point on the first pp unit. He is a huge upgrade to anyone we currently have including Mezzy and Carle. Kubina will help the pp and I think is a good addition. Grossman as gross as it sound will also be a good addition. There is only one serious problem at the moment but I won't go there

Just looking at it from the owner's possible perspective.

I think he already has serious ramifications with his head. His confidence is non-existent at this point. And I just don't think Mr. Snyder is the "let him play himself out of his funk" kinda guy.
- 77rams

Snider pretty much gave himself no other option than to do that by giving him such a long term contract. Snider told Holmgren to fix the goaltending. Holmgren signed the best guy available for a ton of years and cash, at Snider's behest.

Is it worth rolling the dice on Nabokov to risk turning Bryz into a basket case?

I don't think he's having confidence issues in himself. He has little confidence in his defense. That will change. Bill has pointed out that bad D and bad goaltending feed one another. Time for the Flyers to get Dr. Saul Miller in there STAT to shore up the psyches of all involved.
- Flyskippy

Makes sense. But when you see him play the way he did today its mind boggling cause his defense did a nice job.

Snider pretty much gave himself no other option than to do that by giving him such a long term contract. Snider told Holmgren to fix the goaltending. Holmgren signed the best guy available for a ton of years and cash, at Snider's behest.

Is it worth rolling the dice on Nabokov to risk turning Bryz into a basket case?
- Jsaquella

Sure. It's only (Snider's) money.

I don't think he's having confidence issues in himself. He has little confidence in his defense. That will change. Bill has pointed out that bad D and bad goaltending feed one another. Time for the Flyers to get Dr. Saul Miller in there STAT to shore up the psyches of all involved.
- Flyskippy

Yea If you watched that interview after the game he didn't quite shoulder it all on himself which kinda surprised me. But when he does they just say how he quit blah blah blah. But I think he gets for lack of better term, rattled when he sees all those oddman rushes coming in such a short amount of time. And I'm sorry but he is bad at stopping those shots coming from skaters barreling down the wing. That is something I think Reese needs to get fixed with him.

Makes sense. But when you see him play the way he did today its mind boggling cause his defense did a nice job.
- stveshdy

No question. I can only posit theories at this point.

The Kubina trade is to play the point on the first pp unit. He is a huge upgrade to anyone we currently have including Mezzy and Carle. Kubina will help the pp and I think is a good addition. Grossman as gross as it sound will also be a good addition. There is only one serious problem at the moment but I won't go there
- flyerdude17

Kubina is an upgrade in shot from the point on the PP but I would still take Timonen over Kubina at any defensive position 7 games a week. Either way, he'll help.

He did this same poop in Phoenix the thing there was Tippet just kept going back to him. Bryz would always just pull himself together there. that and better team defense makes it easier for a goalie to get focused, gosh I'm sounding reasonable again, at least to myself Wait what did you say? you heard me just shut up and hit submit. Oh allright.
- JoeRussomanno

this is a career nadir for bryz, is it not?