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.
- fnmjoe13

The biggest problem Bryz faced last year was how inconsistent he was from game to game over the first few months of the year. In losses, he was terrible, and normally a huge part of the reason... yet in wins, he was fantastic.

Towards the end of the season even in losses he was playing well. In early February the Flyers lost three games in a row.. despite Bryz having a .936 save%.

Stuff like that started to happen more frequently... including 5 games from February on where he allowed 2 or fewer goals and still lost.

It's too early to tell with Bob. Remember he did start the year Gangbusters last year. Look at Quick. He's always been a solid goalie, but has not always been the dominant goalie we are seeing now. Honestly, we talk about how long defensemen take to mature, Goalies take even longer and Philly should have more patience in Bob. I keep feeling like this is less of a slight against Bob and his future and more about an uncertainty about Bryzgalov. From what I've seen from these two as players, I feel Bob will eventually be the stronger netminder. He works harder, deals better with adversity and I think has greater athletic ability. He needs to mature and Homer would be wise to hold onto this kid.

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.
- roenick97

Where do you think Bob could go and be the starter, especially with guys like Harding and presumably Luongo available.

It's too early to tell with Bob. Remember he did start the year Gangbusters last year. Look at Quick. He's been solid but has not always been the goalie we are seeing now. Honestly we talk about how long defensemen take to mature, Goalies take even longer and Philly should have more patience in Bob. I keep feeling like this is less of a slight against Bob and his future and more about an uncertainty about Bryzgalov. From what I've seen from these two as players, I feel Bob will eventually be the stronger netminder. He works harder, deals better with adversity and I think has greater athletic ability. He needs to mature and Homer would be wise to hold onto this kid.
- flyler

Difference is the Flyers decided to make Bryz the future and not Bob. Quick is playing games consistantly in the NHL and Bob got one season. For whatever reason the Flyers didnt feel that he was the future or they wouldn't of signed Bryz to a long-term contract.

It's too early to tell with Bob. Remember he did start the year Gangbusters last year. Look at Quick. He's always been a solid goalie, but has not always been the dominant goalie we are seeing now. Honestly, we talk about how long defensemen take to mature, Goalies take even longer and Philly should have more patience in Bob. I keep feeling like this is less of a slight against Bob and his future and more about an uncertainty about Bryzgalov. From what I've seen from these two as players, I feel Bob will eventually be the stronger netminder. He works harder, deals better with adversity and I think has greater athletic ability. He needs to mature and Homer would be wise to hold onto this kid.
- flyler

I dont understand this... one of them has won a cup, led the league in wins over a 2 season span, and has been a long term starter.. the other has been mediocre, and never a true starter.

I like Bob, but not as a back-up to Bryz. Bryz has shown that he needs a lot of games in order to get into a "groove" Bob has shown that he doesn't play well coming off the bench or after not playing for a long strech. If Bob was able to split minutes with someone like Boucher like he did in his first season, then yes keep him and develop him into a starter. But he wont develop well behind Bryz.

IMO you get a second tier guy that is cheap, and can play mop-up duty. If Bryz gets injured long term, then you will have to go out and get a fill-in starter, maybe like Huet.

I dont understand this... one of them has won a cup, led the league in wins over a 2 season span, and has been a long term starter.. the other has been mediocre, and never a true starter.
- jak521

Bob is still very young by developing goaltender standards, and he has the tools to become a very good goaltender. But he needs playing time, a good goalie coach, and a patient team. None of which he can get here in Philly. Columbus may be a very good option for him.

Where do you think Bob could go and be the starter, especially with guys like Harding and presumably Luongo available.
- jak521

Bruins with Thomas sitting this season. I'm not sold on Crawford with the Hawks. Aves could be interested. Jackets. Leafs should put a bid in on anything. There are places.

It's too early to tell with Bob. Remember he did start the year Gangbusters last year. Look at Quick. He's always been a solid goalie, but has not always been the dominant goalie we are seeing now. Honestly, we talk about how long defensemen take to mature, Goalies take even longer and Philly should have more patience in Bob. I keep feeling like this is less of a slight against Bob and his future and more about an uncertainty about Bryzgalov. From what I've seen from these two as players, I feel Bob will eventually be the stronger netminder. He works harder, deals better with adversity and I think has greater athletic ability. He needs to mature and Homer would be wise to hold onto this kid.
- flyler

This.

You stole my post.

If there is you better believe they will use it on Prongs
- Jimmygrazz

Why would you use it on a guy who won't effectively hit your cap during the season?

Can the Flyers send Bob down to the Phantoms for the year?

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

Fortunately, so-called "fans" are not running the team.

Can the Flyers send Bob down to the Phantoms for the year?
- Dkos

Not without going through waivers.

I dont understand this... one of them has won a cup, led the league in wins over a 2 season span, and has been a long term starter.. the other has been mediocre, and never a true starter.
- jak521

Really?

Bryz "won" the cup as the backup. He played in 5 post-season games the year the Ducks won the cup, winning 3, losing 1.

Bob has been in the league 2 years. He helped us get into the playoffs his rookie season, and did about as well as Bryz last year with his limited playing time.

Bryzgalov: 31. Bobrovsky: 23.

This.

You stole my post.
- wolfhounds

I htink you trade him....every high shot goes in the net on this kid....athletic as hell..yes...his timing is all off when he goes down.

The biggest problem Bryz faced last year was how inconsistent he was from game to game over the first few months of the year. In losses, he was terrible, and normally a huge part of the reason... yet in wins, he was fantastic.

Towards the end of the season even in losses he was playing well. In early February the Flyers lost three games in a row.. despite Bryz having a .936 save%.

Stuff like that started to happen more frequently... including 5 games from February on where he allowed 2 or fewer goals and still lost.
- jak521

Cite the facts, Jak!

Really?

Bryz "won" the cup as the backup. He played in 5 post-season games the year the Ducks won the cup, winning 3, losing 1.

Bob has been in the league 2 years. He helped us get into the playoffs his rookie season, and did about as well as Bryz last year with his limited playing time.

Bryzgalov: 31. Bobrovsky: 23.
- wolfhounds

yeah but he crapped the bed and was put into the pressbox...that really hurt him.

Fortunately, so-called "fans" are not running the team.
- bodiva88

Devils called out for lack of competitiveness. I guess two goals in three games really is pathetic. Who would have thunk it...

http://www.nj.com/devils/...r_devils_no_shame_in.html

Bob is still very young by developing goaltender standards, and he has the tools to become a very good goaltender. But he needs playing time, a good goalie coach, and a patient team. None of which he can get here in Philly. Columbus may be a very good option for him.
- RooNosHockey

What is the basis for saying he can't get a good Goalie Coach here in Philly?

I htink you trade him....every high shot goes in the net on this kid....athletic as hell..yes...his timing is all off when he goes down.
- Philly1980

Of course the Flyers will trade him...it's what we do with good players. Then they go on to win the cup.

Bob is good, and on the right team, with the right coaching (Lavi yanks/benches him after 1 bad playoff game his rookie season? talk about destroying confidence as quickly as possible...) he will, in my opinion, be a top 10 goalie in short order, then who knows...

Why would you use it on a guy who won't effectively hit your cap during the season?
- bodiva88

Two reasons. One is that is drastically effects your off season flexibility. Secondly there is this misbelief that having a player on LTIR during the Season is a wash. It isn't. Using LTIR prevents a team from banking Cap space during the Season and can effect a team's flexibility during the Season also.

Devils called out for lack of competitiveness. I guess two goals in three games really is pathetic. Who would have thunk it...

http://www.nj.com/devils/...r_devils_no_shame_in.html
- PLindbergh31

The author is a jackass!

yeah but he crapped the bed and was put into the pressbox...that really hurt him.
- Philly1980

Game 2 he did...but, hell, give the kid a break (not you per se). He was a rookie in the playoffs...he wasn't even expected to start the season, let alone start in the playoffs.

Give him credit for what he did, acknowledge he made mistakes, and admit he has a lot of potential coupled with athleticism and youth.

Also, I was wrong...he didn't get put in the pressbox after Game 1, but after Game 2. My mistake.

Anyway, I thought it was a mistake then, an over-reaction. Imagine if Lavi took the same approach with Bryz? He would have been in the press box after getting annihilated by the Penguins.

The author is a jackass!
- MJL

He's getting paid to write hockey columns and cover the Stanley Cup Finals. He should devote more time posting here to further his career.