I hope your right and they are going for defense. But thanks for setting us straight!
- MJL

Just my humble opinion. I could be wrong. Not likely, but possible.

I remember I was wrong once, but I can't remember when or about what. It was a long time ago.

I agree it was a cluster(frank) to come into.....A lot of people were female doging about Quick in LA...Now he shut them up...Lets see what he does this season...i think we will be surprised.
- Philly1980

I expect him to play well this yr, but if he plays poorly i won't blame the guy in the 23rd row.

Weber - My own personal theory is that Stamkos, Giroux, goalies, Malkin - they are all great. But I like the Nasty factor. Pronger - 3 SC appearances with three different teams (in 6 year period). Chara. I like the intimidation factor.

Come playoff time, the elite defender will be on the ice for nearly half the game. I like JVR and Voracek has potential but that is an easy trade for me to make. Just don't think it will happen.

I was actually intrigued by the Myers (Sabres) rumor. Don't think that would happen either, but it would be fun to watch him and Coby on the backend together. Maybe we could trade for Boyle and field the tallest starting lineup in league history.
- Daman

My theory is what if Parise decides to sign with Nashville and then Suter stays?

All across the board for Philly fans, the support for our players has dwindled it seems in most recent years. It's like no player is good enough for the majority of Philly fans.

And worse of all, in these playoffs I've seen fanbases support their players regardless of play--all the time. Pretty much null and void when the line "most intimidating fans in the NHL" actually applies to your own players.
- KGBflyers10

the sports media creates such an on again, off again relationship with our teams. The true fan should see above all the attention grabbing headlines...

Just win the Cup!!!

most people here understand the diff between goals against that are a function of team d more than a goaltender's failings. at the end of the day though, one can only conclude that bryz had a rough year while offering us enuf glimpses of what's possible when he's got his head on straight to feel optimistic that the adjustment period is over.

however, in all of my 40+ yrs of following this team, I've never observed so many excuse-makers for a plyr who just didn't get it done. let's judge him objectively this yr...
- isaiah520

+1

I expect him to play well this yr, but if he plays poorly i won't blame the guy in the 23rd row.
- isaiah520

ill blame the (frank)ing pylons around the net....so many goals came off of 2 and third chances....he was at times overcompensating for the poopty defense and front of him and would get into trouble...i personally put the blame on him at 50% and 50% on piss poor coverage.

The team defense looked like a pee-wee hockey team at times..Lavy and his bullpoop of playing bob all the time was an utter failure...once they committed to bryz he was playing much better in the second half of the year...not all of us have to agree with you
- Philly1980

I'm not one of those who demands compliance to my almighty opinion

I just have never seen anything like lasts yrs excusemongers. I just try to judge a player based on his performance on the ice while understanding he's a human being.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Bryz, Giroux, Draft, Lindros
- bmeltzer

As always, common sense, good hockey analysis and even handed discussion that brings all the factors to bear and results in people actually opening their eyes to what really happened.

Bryzgalov struggled. He was the first to admit he didn't play as well as he expected or wanted to. He was inconsistent and he has to play better.

On the flip side, let's look at a couple other goalies. Henrik Lundqvist and Jonathan Quick. Both goalies played brilliantly, but both also had teams that really played very good to great defense in front of them.

One really telling stat on how good Lundqvist was is the percentage of wins the Rangers had in games he started vs games Marty Biron started. When King Henrik was in, the Rangers won 62% of their games. That's a great percentage in the parity of the NHL.

When Marty Biron was called on, the Rangers won at a 60% clip. The Rangers team defense was incredible.

I expect him to play well this yr, but if he plays poorly i won't blame the guy in the 23rd row.
- isaiah520

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

As always, common sense, good hockey analysis and even handed discussion that brings all the factors to bear and results in people actually opening their eyes to what really happened.

Bryzgalov struggled. He was the first to admit he didn't play as well as he expected or wanted to. He was inconsistent and he has to play better.

On the flip side, let's look at a couple other goalies. Henrik Lundqvist and Jonathan Quick. Both goalies played brilliantly, but both also had teams that really played very good to great defense in front of them.

One really telling stat on how good Lundqvist was is the percentage of wins the Rangers had in games he started vs games Marty Biron started. When King Henrik was in, the Rangers won 62% of their games. That's a great percentage in the parity of the NHL.

When Marty Biron was called on, the Rangers won at a 60% clip. The Rangers team defense was incredible.
- Jsaquella

Team Defense + Happy Goalie = Happy Universe

I expect him to play well this yr, but if he plays poorly i won't blame the guy in the 23rd row.
- isaiah520

I would because THAT GUY CANNOT DANCE...

I'm not one of those who demands compliance to my almighty opinion

I just have never seen anything like lasts yrs excusemongers. I just try to judge a player based on his performance on the ice while understanding he's a human being.
- isaiah520

I remember the excitement of going to the game and hearing if the starting goalie was Favell or Parent?

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

- MBFlyerfan

HUH Amen?

I remember the excitement of going to the game and hearing if the starting goalie was Favell or Parent?
- vejim

Hextall or Resch?

Pelle or Frosty?

HUH Amen?
- phi1671

Look it up, you'll get it.

Look it up, you'll get it.

- MBFlyerfan

okay i did...so i will just bow my head...

okay i did...so i will just bow my head...

- phi1671

lets all bow our heads and pray Bryz finds his game this year

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

- MBFlyerfan

woe...that's deep

I would because THAT GUY CANNOT DANCE...
- phi1671

oh, THAT. guy

woe...that's deep
- isaiah520

nothing deeper than Strawberry Alarm Clock Lyrics

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Bryz, Giroux, Draft, Lindros
- bmeltzer

Thank you for taking the time to address this Bill. WAY to much blame has been set on Bryz's shoulders and you have to take a more balanced view as you have done.

Canadian fans and the media have reverted to the ole standby when ANYTHING Flyers comes up.. that they'll never win without a goalie. It's actually comical and just an easy way out.

Your first point is spot on and I experience it all the time as a goalie.. too much blame or credit as it is easier than actually watching the games or analyzing.

oh, THAT. guy


- isaiah520

Each year when others our hoping the Flyers improve their team, I'm hoping the marketing department comes up with some new idea instead of the same old hip hop THAT guy of WF Arena....
So far, my hope has been wasted.

Thank you for taking the time to address this Bill. WAY to much blame has been set on Bryz's shoulders and you have to take a more balanced view as you have done.

Canadian fans and the media have reverted to the ole standby when ANYTHING Flyers comes up.. that they'll never win without a goalie. It's actually comical and just an easy way out.

Your first point is spot on and I experience it all the time as a goalie.. too much blame or credit as it is easier than actually watching the games or analyzing.
- Hextall271

is that you Bryz? Reese is waiting for you....

providing pathetic excuses isn't being positive and I would think you would be able to tell the diff between that and the delusional tripe we saw here all too often. there were many times last yr that bryz looked like an ECHL level plyr.
- isaiah520

There were no pathetic excuses offered. Again, it was staying positive and supporting the player. And most who continued to support Bryzgalov acknowledged that he had to get better, and play better.

providing pathetic excuses isn't being positive and I would think you would be able to tell the diff between that and the delusional tripe we saw here all too often. there were many times last yr that bryz looked like an ECHL level plyr.
- isaiah520

There were no pathetic excuses offered. Again, it was staying positive and supporting the player. And most who continued to support Bryzgalov acknowledged that he had to get better, and play better.