Howie58

Greetings:

Writ large, this team is not what we expected. That makes the D and G more glaring. Remember, we were supposed to have one of the best D's in the league. And our goal situation was supposed to be solved. Yeah.

At the start of the season I said wait until Turkey Day to make judgment. Now I say wait until trade deadline. This is a work in progress. Homer knows what's going on. I think JVR + something goes for a solid D-man. We may even see Bob go for either an older backup (maybe a Clemmenson) or a goalie pick.

I thought this season would be a marginal playoff contender. So we are better (so far) than expected but in ways that are totally unexpected. Our +/- differential is not so great...giving up too many goals. Let's see what happens over the next 20.

Best,

Howie

Howie58:

I have a wonderful wife of 26 years. Not sure how we did it. She accepts hockey too. How's that to boot?

Good luck hunting tonight. Find one with your love of wine and hockey though, ok? I sense you are a pretty classy guy, so you should have no problem.

Weather here in Eastern Pa is Hot! Like upper 50's Hot. Alum game is set for 3pm but even with a 20-22oF ice surface, with sun exposure I would not be surprised for a push back.

We have folks coming over for New Years tonight and were hoping to use the garage as a back-up refrigerator... Whoops..

Enjoy!

BOI

BOI: Well, enjoy...26 years...heck, I am happy if I last 26 dates/days....

Peace,

Howie

Howie:

I am in the foodservice business. I have seen the same recently. Counts and covers coming back up, but with mid-casual chains like the Chili's not the high end. A lot of consumerism and demand right now, a lot holiday based. Wait until credit card statements come in in January. Sobering...

Bryz will find his way. Does not matter much what Flyer fans say because Holmgren is going to ride Bryz.

I don't care of Bryz loses the next 10 if it takes him that long to get his groove back. All that matters is a game-changing goaltender in the season after this first 82 games of warm-up.

Enjoy the bubbly tonight!

BOI

Bear:

Great observation RE: Homer. Yes, I suspect Homer and Jeff Reese are prodding Bryz. Meanwhile, I will try to enjoy tonight. Will visit a few friends tonight but probably have a dinner on my own...so significant other this New Year's...finding a decent gal will be a New Year's resolution.

Best,

Howie

Howie

BOI:

Your prognosis is sobering. I really hope that that Bryz turns it around.

Meanwhile, I was having some Cab at my neighborhood Chili's when you sent your message. You wouldn't think there was an economic downturn...place was packed.

I am looking forward to the Classic and the start of the New Year.

Stay well!

Howie

Howie:

Bear is back. Hope the sun is at your back and the wine chilled.

I would say Laviolette will have patience for maybe 2 goals against Bryz (1 if soft..) in the WC.

He just needs an excuse to insert The Bob. Holmgren or no Holmren, Bryz will end up in a conditioning stint in Adarondack if he does not show on the big stage Monday that he is the #1.

BOI

Good to hear from you! Wine is here...and waiting. As for a conditioning stint..that might help in terms of confidence building. The guy needs help.

Best wishes for 2012...glad to see the Old Farts here on the board.

Peace,

Howie

Hey Howie- at least Khabibulin snapped out of it after 7 years. We have that to look forward to.

Yes...after a bout with alcohol abuse and family problems. Redemption...in the Edmonton market with a salary that's probably near the minimum.

Peace and Happy New Year.

Howie

Howdy:

Stats say Bob. And it may be that we see Bob. The bigger question is what's up with Bryz? Is this a partial season problem? Is this the whole season? I recall Chicago signing Khabibulan after the Cup in TB. He sucked. We all hope this isn't some permanent career shift. I am sure Homer is as worried about it as we are. And he has the Pronger mess to think about too.

Best,

Howie

We know this dude's play is sub-par so far. The short-term question is whether he turns it around this season? Longer-term, is this an unmitigated disaster or a one-year "blip?" Changes of venue for any worker can be tough. Only time will tell.

Best,

Howie

No they are not, just as much as our offense isn't as lacking as those same pundits were predicting this strong defense would compensate for.

Good point. And I wonder if they are resting on scoring laurels and forgetting D.

Howie

I don't think it is as good as it has been made out to be, even with Pronger. Part of that may be Lavi's responsibility, I get the feeling that coaching defensive zone coverage is not his strong suit. Part of it is due to personel, they don't really have a physical defenseman. I think that if Bourdon really can cut it he will help significantly, he brings some things that are lacking- a good shot and a physical style. But otherwise it is kind of a soft defense.

Jack, this is a team that is strange to me as a long-time fan. It is fun to watch but doesn't seem to hit well or take faceoffs competently. Defensive responsibility is not there right now. I can't say if that is talent, coaching, or scoring.

Best,

Howie

I would not agree with you about the first goal. Shenn did touch a puck and score a goal. I'm not sure what did you watch?

I am not going to say the deflection made it impossible to stop. Yes, tough. But I think it was stoppable. I thought that Bryz was only part of the problem...rest of team was not very responsible.

Howie

Well, Snider is the one who was primarily responsible for Bryzgalov and nobody is going to fire him, so I don't see any changes at the coaching or front office level this year. I think if Bryz doesn't come around soon they will give Bob a shot at being #1, and then somebody is going to have to figure out what to do with that albatross of a contract.

Jack: Agreed on the Snider angle. But I still wonder if this D is as good as the pundits in places like Sporting News and ESPN said it was before the season? With or without Bob? A few more lopsided losses and this will wake up the management.

Best,

Howie

Digity: Good post. Your logic is good. But who know's, maybe he will do things for an overhaul of the D, not just a Pronger replacement. Our forward depth is amazing. But is the entire D up to speed. Bryz is not playing well. But some of last night's goals seemed to be defensive lapses on the parts of forwards and D-men.

My other concern...Pronger's status leaves a lot in the air. Is he really finished, or do we face a Forsberg situation with on-off stints. That scenario really scares me.

Best,

Howie

Oh, I don't think Lavi's job is even remotely in danger. The team (except for the #1 goalie) is playing consistently well. The young guys have been excellent (Couturier, Read), he's getting a great effort from Jagr. The team has continued to play well despite injuries to key players. Overall this is the best I've seen the Flyers look since Laviolette took over. Nobody can blame Lavi for Bryz's poor play.

Greetings: I agree. I think the question may be scapegoating. I like the youngsters. But I wonder if the D is what is was supposed to be, and if the Bryz doesn't turn around, will Homer take responsibility? Best, Howie

Hey Howie- hope you're enjoying the holiday season (other than the Flyer part). While all the goals certainly weren't the stiffs fault, the way i see it is if we had Garon in net and they had Mr. Universe in the first period, we go into the intermission up 5-0 or so. Game, set and match.

Good to hear from you. I hope all is well. The gang seems to have migrated to this board.

I suspect another loss or two like the Boston game + last night will make for some big decisions on the part of the Flyers. I might even put Lavy's tenure on the table.

Best,

Howie

Vincent: I have been watching. There is no sympathy from this end. I am not happy with him. But on some of these goals, I suspect Bernie would have been hung out. But I agree with you that unless we see a turnaround soon, this may not go down as one of Homer's better signings.

Best,

Howie

Well, I stand corrected; Bryz was complicit on goal 4--didn't move to the side.

Bryz looked bad on goal 1 but he looked hung out and the next two. There is no joy in Mudville.

Best,

Howie

Rad:

Last night I started dinner with a Blackstone Merlot (competent) and had glass of Shiraz (vintner escapes me) with main course. It was a good way to star the New Years.

I should be home in time for tonight's face-off. The TB-Flyers Match-up has gotten interesting...brings back memories of Primeau and boys in the epic of 03-04.

It's funny...last night I turned down a great offer from AT&T U-verse to bundle services...reason...no NHL Center Ice!

Peace, and LGF.

Howie

I think Bryz needs a muzzle or a filter at times.

Meltzer's right that Bryz has been "OK" but not great. He was signed to be great.

Something has to give.

Rad:

We expected greatness for what was paid. Right now it looks like overpaid. We have to wait and see throughout the season for a good read. It's possible he is going through transition that we don't know or see from from distance. So, to be "seasonal," I'll avoid the crucifixion.

From a bigger vantage, the team is unlike what I am used to. We are number 2 in scoring but mid-range (number 15) in PK, not much better in PP, and in the bottom half of goals allowed. As I've said before, Homer didn't promise us better or worse, just different. Well, we are "different." But if you believe that defense and goal win Cups...our standings seem to be inflated relative to where we may end up. The other spin is that this team is very, very different from historical norms. It is enjoyable to watch. But it is not that tough or defensive.

Stay thirsty my friend.

Howie

Holiday Wishes to the Board!

I am not willing to give up on the guy but his numbers are very unimpressive. I am sure Homer is sending signals through others that he expects a return on investment.

Bob started the season well last year but faltered later on. Let's hope that a) he grows; and B) Bryz performs as expected. If not, Homer has a lot to ponder.

Howie

@Howie58 Hope you are well and finding a few good cheap Aussie Reds.

What is the history with the rats? I could just Google it but would rather hear it from you if you know the rats background.

Oz:

Greetings and best wishes; I love the Shiraz and others. I generally keep them on my rack...very "cost-effective." Along with keeping your AAA rating, you folks make some damn good wine.

OK, the rat thing started during the Panthers' improbable 1996 playoff run in their old venue, the Miami Arena, now demolished. I believe one of the players literally killed a rat in the locker room using a hockey stick. That started the rubber rat throwing gig. The league cracked down on it so now it is done only occasionally...not just for hat tricks but big wins, etc.

Best for the holidays!

Howie

Van:

Work is fairly stressed but I am OK. This time of the year leaves me stretched but such is life.

The Bryz signing seemed bizarre. Chicago signed Khabibulan (sp.) after the Cup in Tampa and they got burned. He is better as a 39 year old in Edmonton. Who am I to say what's right? We will leave that to Pinaccio.

Peace and have a great holiday season,

Howie

Van:

Good to hear from you.

What's sad about this goaltending mess is that Bobo may be traded out of need to relieve cap space. Bryz needs to show some consistency.

Happy holidays!

Howie

@Howie58

Hope you're enjoying the Holiday Season.

I liked the way Bob played last night even though he seemed a bit rusty. His puck handling was poor and he tended to shrink down before the shots. He got more comfortable as the game went on though and came up with a couple of big saves, especially on the Dvorak breakaway. Bill Meltzer, who has a big thing for "momentum" saves, gave him props this morning and it was deserved.

I think the lesson learned here for Lavy is that the kid needs a bit more work to stay sharp. I say give it to him and don't worry about what that does to Bryzgalov's feeble mind. Bob is the better goaltender right now, even after a long layoff.

Terp: Good to hear from you and hope you are getting into the holiday spirit...or whatever. Well, Bob's numbers are better. But I suspect we are going to see Bryz. It's the dollars, right? I suspect Bryz is in tomorrow night.

Best,

Howie