Howie58

Hello from S. Florida: I don't see a big trade coming down the pike. But..and this is far-fetched, would you see a "dump" type trade (player for picks) as a means of increasing youth and decreasing cap hit? On that score, JVR for picks might a possibility. Our other "youth" might be untouchable. And now for a real shocker-would Homer ask Hartnell to waive an NTC to move? Maybe the brass thinks this is a once-in-a-lifetime season for the guy. Might the same hold for Briere? I agree with others that from a personal life standpoint he might not want to move. But who knows? Again,I think if there are any "major" moves I see a salary dump rather than a major roster shuffle. Best, Howie

Greetings: SoCal raises the question of Lavy's style--this is clearly not your Grandpa's Flyers' squad. Defense/goal may not mean as much as in the past. And in post-Lockout NHL play, that may be the case. But I think that goal and D win Cups. Hence my concern as we enter the playoffs (hopefully). As I've said before, we play in one of the most competitive divisions in the League, if not all the major sports. This weekend left me very concerned about our defense and D. Four goals should win most games but we lost to NJ. We seemed well on our way to coming back yesterday and couldn't keep them off the board. In theory our D should be OK. The same should be said for our goaltending. The numbers don't bear the latter out. Homer's apparently good forward trades (and I don't hear complaints about Hartnell being overpaid) may pale compared to our goal situation. But this seems to be part of our DNA. Best, Howie

Spin: Agreed, and that is why signing a Vokoun or Senior Statesman type would have made more sense than Bryz. I think we implicitly told Bobo he either trade bait or semi-disposable if his development was slow. As for the Cup Challenger every year...well, that would take a thread by itself...and when you consider we are now have the longest Cup dry spell other than the Leafs...makes you wonder. Peace, Howie

Rad: Good assessment. I think there is a definite blind spot. And the inbreeding we've had in top management may "nourish" it. Best, Howie

Terp: I don't want to throw him under the bus either. That said, I think the organization may have done that by bringing in a youngish Bryz with a long contract. If they had brought in Vokoun or someone along those lines and said, "be this guys understudy while you develop," I would understand that. What they have done, from my vantage, is develop this guy to be a perpetual 1A or trade bait. Again, I think the "organeyezation" is at fault. Good to hear from you, Howie

Greetings: There are several threads on Bryz/Bobo. All are well-taken. But I am raising a question several of us raised a lot on the old forum: Is goal a blind spot with this franchise? 1) As for Bryz, the question is whether we are facing a lost year or a lost career? If we are having this discussion next year at this time I suspect Homer will bite the bullet and waive the guy and hope somebody picks him up at half price. Or maybe we try to waive him; both would "work" if someone thinks a change of venue will help. 2) Bobo--well, I suspect we have another Nitty on our hands. With Nitty a series of injuries and a lousy, lousy season may have derailed his career. But one way of the other--we moved on when the 1-1A with Esche didn't pan out. And with Bobo--the signals sent by the franchise seem to be "you are a goalie of the future, but probably as a super back-up or somebody's else's starter after a trade...." Reese may help but the bottom line seems to be simple: Unlike LA or Nashville, we just don't seem to get goal. We can say that Snider was part of this one--he ordered Homer to pull a trigger. But that wouldn't have had to happen if we could either develop our own goalies or trade well. This is an organizational black hole. Peace, Howie

Bear: Good to hear from you. A belated Happy New Year! I think there are two questions. One is Bryz. Is this a lost season or a lost career. If we are having this question next year I smell a waiver in the hope another GM will pick up half his salary on the assumption of a rebound. The bigger question--and I may put it to the board--Is this franchise capable of drafting, recruiting, and nurturing goalies? I suspect there is a blind spot. Reese may have helped but I think there is a deeper problem. Peace, Howie

Bryz was utterly deflating today. It was painful to watch. He took out a great effort. Homer cannot be happy. But I fail to see what we can do. Bobo is trade bait. Bryz is impossible to trade. In the main, Homer looks good dumping Carter-Richards. But Bryz outweighs the positives right now. What we don't know is if this is a lost season or a lost career for Bryz. One way or the other...a defining weekend on the downside. Best, Howie

I hate to sound like a broken record, but can this team make any "big" trades without getting a handle on Pronger's future? I also think getting rid of our youngins, with the possible exception of JVR, seems like a bad move given their play so far and their potential. Briere...for reasons stated earlier is an unlikely move. Best, Howie

SoCal: I think you raise a valid question. But I guess the answer comes in a year. If the guy turns it around the second half, we are OK. If we are having the same discussion next year, then we are in trouble in terms of cap. I will "respectfully disagree" with Bryz's gorilla status. I think Pronger is the bigger issue and Carchidi's article yesterday showing the nearly one goal difference when he is in the line-up speaks volumes. I am, like you a bit frustrated with the run and gun and don't see it winning a Cup. But beefing up the D will help. From a long-term planning standpoint, Pronger's situation is a mess. If he retires or goes to LTIC, it is not so bad. But if we get an "on-again, off-again" return next year...yikes. I don't know how Homer plans in terms of cap and personnel with that prospect. And on that score...when I hear talk of Suter, I have to wonder if what we are really asking is what the team will do: replace Pronger or go stop-gap on the assumption he comes back. I see a Suter trade as Homer's statement that Pronger's career is finished. Peace and I am glad to see you in these parts. Howie

Seven years ago he was the goalie of the future. Then the torn labrum and the strike. And then the worst season in our history. I suspect he goes to Europe. Best, Howie

Thanks for the assessment. Brz's performance is the 6 million dollar riddle for which we have no answer. Maybe he Orange and Black give him some unnamed neurological problem. Howie

Greetings: This is not the Flyers kind of team I grew up with. This is offensive pedal to the metal rather than grind and D. That said, we made a great comeback yesterday and blew a lead on two relatively soft goals. The SO...yikes. Howie

Greetings: I hate to dump on this guy; maybe we see a year-end turnaround. But one of the most disturbing things I've seen with Bryz is his passivity during the SO. He does not challenge the shooters. Bryz sits back and lets them skate in. Is this arrogance (he thinks it is possible to flash the pad or glove in a blink)? Or is this disengagement (he is really not attuned to what the hell is going on)? I posted this the last time he blew a SO; you'd think that Reese or someone would look at this films and see the "Groundhog Day" manner in which he plays goal in this situation--and threaten to ream his posterior if it continues. Have a good week! Howie

Jack: If Pronger is through, we might find ourselves going for a Suter type..but I may be senile. Seriously, Homer is Homer and this Schenn thing may be a smokescreen. Meanwhile, Bobo is playing well tonight. Peace, Howie

I have fond memories of Foster Brooks. . . as long as there is no drinking and driving. As for a trade...I could see Homer letting one of our current D-men go as salary dump; he might take a pick. The forwards are a good crew. He might want to preserve them. Peace, Howie

Greetings: I'll harp on my usual point. This is a different team than what we grew up with. On the upside--this is not a dump-and-chase group that has had a tough time getting out of its zone. This team has good puck movement. Seravalli should have noted that...under Stevens, we looked lethargic half the time. On the other hand--our GAA (and let's throw out the save percentage for the time being) is "non-Flyer" I have a tough time figuring out if that is some actors playing beneath their potential or the aging of others. Defense is also a responsibility of non-D personnel. Is Lavy making that clear? Best, Howie

I hope you are right. The guy has taken his share of criticism on the boards and in the media. He has a good attitude. LGF, Howie

Good Morning! Your last point is interesting. It says that some folks develop fast, and some don't. I guess the question is whether this is a new level or a blip? Who knows? Best, Howie

Sip, I think the concern is that if it weren't for last minute heroics, we were blowing two points on what seemed like serious defensive lapses. I agree with others on this thread: tonight was not Bryz's off-night. Team D got sloppy. We are 21st in the league in GAA. That is very strange for a Flyers' team. Peace, Howie

Not so great to be recognized for this... Howie

LOL: That is funny. Nashville and LA seem to grow goaltenders. We seem to destroy them. Best, Howie

Another spin on this...we just aren't great judges of goal talent. This guy was supposed to be a real deal. I guess that has not been the case. I thought he was a bit old to be starting an NHL career, but who am I to say? Howie

Hello All! I suspect Bryz goes back. I am not enthralled but he is the "starter." Frankly, I hope they trade Bobo for vet who accepts the role and we move on. Bryz needs to get his footing. If not this season, then next. if that doesn't pan out, we have a real problem. We need to see good performance against top teams. We blew it against the Rangers. This is a redemption game of sorts. Best, Howie