Better than Bryz. Bryz managed to bring his GAA down in the Devils series but that wasn't saying much. FYI, I am for Bryz being given a second chance next year. He knows what to expect now. Regardless he is not a top 5 or even top 10 goalie in the NHL at this point.
- fnmjoe13

He came to a new team... a team that was almost completely new itself, and had a rough start... Over the second half of the season he was absolutely a top 10 goalie. Then the playoffs come and both goalies in the pens series were sitting ducks to that style of play coupled with the extremely talented players involved... He was then left to fend for himself, and did so very admirably in the NJ series.

Better than Bryz. Bryz managed to bring his GAA down in the Devils series but that wasn't saying much. FYI, I am for Bryz being given a second chance next year. He knows what to expect now. Regardless he is not a top 5 or even top 10 goalie in the NHL at this point.
- fnmjoe13

Doesnt sound like you are up for giving him a second chance, sounds more like you are making excuses for getting rid of him.

If we got rid of everyone who played poorly in the devils series, then we would have to trade a good 18 out of the 20 guys on the roster....it was a piss poor series and everyone needs to let it go...move on...and look forward to next year.

Better than Bryz. Bryz managed to bring his GAA down in the Devils series but that wasn't saying much. FYI, I am for Bryz being given a second chance next year. He knows what to expect now. Regardless he is not a top 5 or even top 10 goalie in the NHL at this point.
- fnmjoe13

The Flyers signed Bryz to an 8 year contract...
The Flyers signed Bryz to an 8 year contract...
They are going to give him at least 3 to 4 years before they do something. This was the "adjustment" year.
Now, I may be shocked if he sucked this coming year and the Flyers dump in, I just don't see it happening.

The Flyers did not lose in the playoffs because of their goalie.

He came to a new team... a team that was almost completely new itself, and had a rough start... Over the second half of the season he was absolutely a top 10 goalie. Then the playoffs come and both goalies in the pens series were sitting ducks to that style of play coupled with the extremely talented players involved... He was then left to fend for himself, and did so very admirably in the NJ series.
- jak521

I don't think he's gonna get a break here unless his numbers are 0.000001 Goals against and .998 save%

He came to a new team... a team that was almost completely new itself, and had a rough start... Over the second half of the season he was absolutely a top 10 goalie. Then the playoffs come and both goalies in the pens series were sitting ducks to that style of play coupled with the extremely talented players involved... He was then left to fend for himself, and did so very admirably in the NJ series.
- jak521

On the subject of whether or not Bryzgalov lived up to expectations in 2011-12, Holmgren said, "I'd probably say, no."

I don't think its all on Bryzgalov but he has to be better next year. Time will tell. I like Bryzgalov and think he can be a very good goalie for this team.

He came to a new team... a team that was almost completely new itself, and had a rough start... Over the second half of the season he was absolutely a top 10 goalie. Then the playoffs come and both goalies in the pens series were sitting ducks to that style of play coupled with the extremely talented players involved... He was then left to fend for himself, and did so very admirably in the NJ series.
- jak521

I'd even give him the benefit of the doubt since he was nursing a foot injury during the first round. With that said, he had one really great month this season. Who knows, maybe that turns into a long run if he doesn't get hurt? We can all guess. What I do know is that his play is erratic and that is what he was supposed to fix here in Philly. Like I said, he knows what to expect now and i hope he is preparing accordingly.

I don't think he's gonna get a break here unless his numbers are 0.000001 Goals against and .998 save%
- JoeRussomanno

or anywhere else...i talked to a buddy of mine and it was a like a Bryz bashing session...
yes he had an up and down year but you can see the talent, that's all i wanted to see this year considering the Flyers were not MEANT to do anything this year.

On the subject of whether or not Bryzgalov lived up to expectations in 2011-12, Holmgren said, "I'd probably say, no."

I don't think its all on Bryzgalov but he has to be better next year. Time will tell. I like Bryzgalov and think he can be a very good goalie for this team.
- stveshdy

I hate making excuses for this team but everyone seems to forget that their top defenseman only played 13 games. Him not being there reflects on the goalies numbers IMO.

BTw Good Article Bill.
I just find it amusing that the Pens would go get an overpaid back-up to spoil the Flyers offseason plans, supposedly. Not like they don't need a back-up themselves or anything.

I hate making excuses for this team but everyone seems to forget that their top defenseman only played 13 games. Him not being there reflects on the goalies numbers IMO.
- Jimmygrazz

or anywhere else...i talked to a buddy of mine and it was a like a Bryz bashing session...
yes he had an up and down year but you can see the talent, that's all i wanted to see this year considering the Flyers were not MEANT to do anything this year.
- phi1671

pretty much. Also despite and up and down season he managed to put up respectable numbers, not like it matters but it seems as though the critics will always point to his numbers when they are down and not when they are up.

I hate making excuses for this team but everyone seems to forget that their top defenseman only played 13 games. Him not being there reflects on the goalies numbers IMO.
- Jimmygrazz

Pronger didnt play many games this year. The team has pretty much played without him for over the past two seasons. That adjustment period is over imo. The team defense was bad all season no questions but Bryzgalov still needs to be better, thats the reason they got him to help clean up a lot of those mistakes.

The GM feels he didnt live up to expectations. I have to take his word for it because he knows more than any of us.

He wasn't much better than Bryz against the Devils, in one game he even gave up 4 goals on 16 shots and I think we can agree the Rangers play with a lot more commitment to defense than the Flyers.
- JoeRussomanno

The Devils aggressive forecheck is neutralized by a goaltender that can play the puck well -- ie. Quick.

Not so much luck for guys like Bryz and Lundqvist.

I'd even give him the benefit of the doubt since he was nursing a foot injury during the first round. With that said, he had one really great month this season. Who knows, maybe that turns into a long run if he doesn't get hurt? We can all guess. What I do know is that his play is erratic and that is what he was supposed to fix here in Philly. Like I said, he knows what to expect now and i hope he is preparing accordingly.
- fnmjoe13

I guess I see things a bit half full. He had 2 bad months.. early on, and his played got better and better.

Post All-star break... he was only bested by Brian Elliot and Jaro Halak.

His .929% and 1.84 gaa were far better than Quick (.918% 1.99 gaa) or Lundqvist (.917, 2.10).

If you break things down from January 1st- the end of the season.. he was in a dead heat statistically with the two of them.

What that shows me is that he did start to come around... and played extremely well down the stretch, after getting acclimated to all the new things.

The Devils aggressive forecheck is neutralized by a goaltender that can play the puck well -- ie. Quick.

Not so much luck for guys like Bryz and Lundqvist.
- bradleyc4

I think it's a lot more then just that. It's also lessened by a team that plays well in it's own end and has a neutralzone checking presence. And then plays well as a 5 man unit on the puck, and supports each other. Short crisp passes as a 5 man unit in the defensive end to break out. Along with winning the puck battles. It all starts with the team defense. It is the catalyst for it all.

The Devils aggressive forecheck is neutralized by a goaltender that can play the puck well -- ie. Quick.

Not so much luck for guys like Bryz and Lundqvist.
- bradleyc4

If you are saying his puckhandling was/is and issue then you get no argument from me there. But the other poster mentioned Bryz being nowhere near the other competition when said competition was faced with the very same opponent, with a team that is much more attentive to defense, he didn't do much better, that's all I'm saying. For the record I do concede Lundqvist is a top 5 goalie at least, but I won't call him the King with a straight face. Imo you have to at least win a Conference finals first.

The Devils aggressive forecheck is neutralized by a goaltender that can play the puck well -- ie. Quick.

Not so much luck for guys like Bryz and Lundqvist.
- bradleyc4

The Devils forecheck is neutralized when you have quick outlet passes and you don't always rely on the boards...
The Devils pinch on the boards and the Kings are exploiting this aspect.

What is comical to watch is the frustration from the Devils when they get hit or a penatly is called on them. I've only watched highlights...

I think it's a lot more then just that. It's also lessened by a team that plays well in it's own end and has a neutralzone checking presence. And then plays well as a 5 man unit on the puck, and supports each other. Short crisp passes as a 5 man unit in the defensive end to break out. Along with winning the puck battles. It all starts with the team defense. It is the catalyst for it all.
- MJL

I;ll go a little bit further and even say that in the Devils series without much team Defense Bryzgalov gave the Flyers a chance to win that series. They should have won games 2,3,4. If not all then at the very least one of them.

The Devils forecheck is neutralized when you have quick outlet passes and you don't always rely on the boards...
The Devils pinch on the boards and the Kings are exploiting this aspect.

What is comical to watch is the frustration from the Devils when they get hit or a penatly is called on them. I've only watched highlights...
- phi1671

I've actually enjoyed this series despite my rooting interest being pulverized, but nothing to whine about they are a division rival.

I guess I see things a bit half full. He had 2 bad months.. early on, and his played got better and better.

Post All-star break... he was only bested by Brian Elliot and Jaro Halak.

His .929% and 1.84 gaa were far better than Quick (.918% 1.99 gaa) or Lundqvist (.917, 2.10).

If you break things down from January 1st- the end of the season.. he was in a dead heat statistically with the two of them.

What that shows me is that he did start to come around... and played extremely well down the stretch, after getting acclimated to all the new things.
- jak521

Didn't check the stats but if that is the case then great. I hope he makes me forget my doubts next year. On a different note, we do need a forward or 2 that can mitigate some of the others teams forecheck by winning some board battles and faceoffs. I am sure another year with the young guys will help too.

I;ll go a little bit further and even say that in the Devils series without much team Defense Bryzgalov gave the Flyers a chance to win that series. They should have won games 2,3,4. If not all then at the very least one of them.
- JoeRussomanno

He gave them a chance to win. He was probably the best player on the ice in that series.

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that it's too early to tell that Bobrovsky can't be a legit NHL back-up. It's a shame, with the waiver rules, that Bobrovsky never had the opportunity to play in the AHL.
- bradleyc4

Common thing here to rush players.

I think it's a lot more then just that. It's also lessened by a team that plays well in it's own end and has a neutralzone checking presence. And then plays well as a 5 man unit on the puck, and supports each other. Short crisp passes as a 5 man unit in the defensive end to break out. Along with winning the puck battles. It all starts with the team defense. It is the catalyst for it all.
- MJL

Yes, all good points.

Common thing here to rush players.
- ob18

its common but its the norm these days...

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Silly Season Musings: Backup Goalie Bingo
- bmeltzer

I think Martin Biron as a back up would be a good choice. I believe Ray Emery is under contract with the Hawks for another season but I think he would be another good choice. I'm just thinking of back-ups who are only slightly younger then Bryz and can carry the load in case of injury.

I think it's only fair to Bob to allow him to be a starter somewhere else.