BearOnIce

Bill makes some great points especially needed two defensemen to replace Pronger. I think it's possible to do that to a degree. I think Philly should be kicking the tires in Dallas for "two" defensemen -- Souray and Grossman. Both have good size and Souray could bring a big shot from the point for the ailing powerplay. If either player plays well enough, Philly could sign them in the off-season. If they don't play well, they are free to walk and Philly can pursue other options. I'd like to see them both picked up as rentals. Here are the stats:

Sheldon Souray ($1.65M)

GP G A PTS +/- Hits Size

47 5 13 18 11 44 6'4" - 237lbs

Nicklas Grossman ($1.75M)

GP G A PTS +/- Hits Size

52 0 5 5 0 96 6'4" - 230lbs

Ok, so who do you see as the other $2M or less D man Holmgren will go after.

@BearOnIce

I was impressed how Giroux could lie so well without blinking an eye. B)

Yes. A lot of the job description for a C.

Dejavu! How much worse will it get before somebody in management grows a set? Both goalies truly showed that they want to play in the AHL. Homer has to try Leighton or possibly one of the other AHL'ers.

This is simple. Play Bryz. Period. Stop the carrousel. Bob is not better. Let Bryz implode in the woodshed himself.

The players will take care of this in their own way. Bryz will want out soon enough.

This is not a team that is going anywhere this year. Start figuring it out for next year.

Just enjoy the games from here out that they win.

Just because Giroux can do PR doesn't mean he has to be the Capt. Let a vet deal with those duties and let Giroux focus on his game some more.

Huh? Giroux is a vet. He stands up better than anyone on that sorry team.

no, me either. but it is time for laviolette to make a decision for the balance of the season. if bryzgalov is the guy, he needs to stand in there on games he gives up three and work through it. if it's bob, he needs to get 4 or 5 starts in a row. this back and forth isn't doing either of them any favors. and right now, they both need favors.

Howie, I was suprprised too. I thought to date that Laviolette had marching orders to play Bryz come hell or high water just to justify the investment the Flyers made. Today's move of pulling Bryz after 3 goals makes me think that Laviolette very much has ultimate decision making authority with Bryz. To me, it points more to Laviolette as very much a participent in agreeing to bring Bryz in this year, thus the responsibility big time on Lavy. Holmgren and Laviotte are attached at the hip on this Bryz debacle. Lavy's felt his offense needed a sure-fire backtender, a real upgrade, like Cam Ward, when the D got trapped up ice going into this year.

Wow, who would of thought this perfect storm of the D & G would of happened this year?

Listened to his post game comments.

Basically told the press when we win, you congratulate our team, when we loose you congratulate our goalies.

Giroux basically said we are a team. We support our goalies. He is a stand up guy. A lot of poise for a young guy.

I hope Holmgren doesn't leave Giroux out there.

Step up Paul. You got work to do.

BHOLE

You can use it interchangeable with both Flyers goalies.

I like it. Efficient.

NHL.com

I don't see this happeneing.

Not after today when the two biggest liabilities for the Fyers, Defence and Goaltending, were exposed in a major way.

Especially on Saturday games. What a poor effort every freaking weekend.

Bryzaster is awful. I'm done with him.

I am with you. Put the Grump part in overdrive. You could just see the team give up on those 2 shorties softies by Bryzsoftie.

I still like 68 though. He ended his one goal in 13 games.

This topic is about the Flyers, not the Capitals.

The Flyers are still 3rd in points, tied with Pitt, in the East. They will almost certainly make the playoffs.

Maybe we should rethink this. Doom is now officially in overdrive. Take it to the bank.

Bryz was soft today. But Bobo doesn't leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling either. This has been painful to watch...about the only thing I can say is that Grossman is big.

Howie

I like #8. Bob and Bryz, double trouble. Add that to the rest of the D, and I would skate them all night.

@ BOI

"He appears disinterested, non-chalant, lacksidasical, and defeated."

I agree with this, but those are attitude traits. I am also talking about a lack of fundamental skills of being a NHL goalie. We were duped. Unfortunately, BOB is playing much better. Once again, goaltending (along with poor D) is our demise. We can maybe fix the D problem next year but our goaltending could cause us a shot at a cup over the next several years when we may have all of the other pieces in place.

D + G = Problems.

Hope Lavy gets this mess straightened out. Fast.

Wow. Followed up by 2 more stunners on Bob. Pick your poison with these guys.

You got that right.

no movement clause = staying with flyers, no matter what. couldnt send him down if we wanted to

Oh really? Then sit him. For a very long time.

He is the story of the Flyers fall this year. Along with the D.

I don't what is worst at this point.

I agree with you. Boy, those were the 3 worst goals I have seen let in for some time. We have a mental issue here with Bryz-not. This guy is not even really challenging the shooters. He appears disinterested, non-chalant, lacksidasical, and defeated. His eyes and body language say it all. This team has left him. Time to send him down to Adrondack and keep Bob in. Flyers management have a serious personnel issue here. Serious. I think what you said about the Phoenix defence is exactly correct.

@Bertmega

no gd way do i trade two roster players for Kane, he's good but he's little; we're good with the little guys and my feeling is JvR will have similar if not better numbers shortly and for a longer duration. I still hold out hope that when it is all said and done JvR will have more points than Kane because his career will be longer and the level of production will be similar.

Buck Dharma. the true and only Cult. The Blue Oysten Cult. The original.

http://www.philly.co...-in-lineup.html

Flyers left winger James van Riemsdyk will return to the lineup Saturday afternoon against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins.

It will be JVR's first game since Jan. 12. He missed 15 games - the Flyers were just 6-6-3 in that span - because of a concussion.

Scouts from numerous teams are at the Wells Fargo Center for today's 1 p.m. matinee.

The Flyers are in fourth place in the East - one point ahead of New Jersey and two points in front of the Penguins.

The Pens will also get a player back from a concussion. Former Flyer Arron Asham, who has missed 13 games, will be back in the lineup.

- Sam Carchidi

Take him out.

Hopefully this will officially jinx the Rangers team. I am picturing the Flyers-Rangers meeting in the playoffs and the Flyers getting revenge for their losses during the season.

1 plays 8.

Flyers will not be 8.

Someone else gets to soften up the Rag's first.

Beautiful.

Very cool. It is nice when the scenery is delicious!

Maybe the Grossman trade is his (Carle) potential replacement (body on the blueline not playing style).

And more affordable to resign i'm sure.

He's a stay at home Dman.

Wouldn't mind maybe resigning him but i believe Carle is going to demand big bucks, way more than i believe him being worth.

But he maybe eyeballing Wisnewski money..sorry no thanks.

Buh-bye!

Edit: He also has good size. Here's to praying he knows how to use it better than Coburn...........

I agree.

Bye bye.

These defencemen are getting astronomical money. On average much more than any of them are worth. D NHL Inflation.

Carle is worth about $3M on a good day.

Boy, Nashville's D looked bad against Wings. Got undressed by Pavel D.

Who are they going to sign to replace him?

Anyone who is defensively responsible.

Apparently he thinks he is worth even more than that. His agent has been floating Wisinewski money (6 years, $33 mil).

I suggest the Flyers let him walk.

Howdy:

The whole trade gig is muddied by Pronger. I could envision Homer going for a cap clearing trade for picks dumping a Briere or Carle. He might be thinking about preserving his good corps of young forwards. The D is a mess. Schenn might help but what has to be given up? If Homer dumps space and Pronger is a no-go for next year, we might have 8-10 million in space. That would be something to work with.

Best,

Howie

I do not see much for this season because the general managers with good D offerings are going to be asking a premium. More so I think Holmgren stands pat because he believes he has a good D corp. Yes, I know hard to believe. But, I believe that he feels, and obviously for political reasons, that the problem with this team's funk lies soley with the goalie position and the injury to Pronger. I would even be surprised to see the Hal Gill move. My gut tells me a lot is not being said publically, or for that matter privately, about Pronger but a lot is known. Holmgren and Pronger date back to the Hartford days. If there is no movement for a D man, something is up. Call me crazy.

Ok, 4 losses in a row now and the bulk of the remaining schedule against conference and division teams. Do the Flyers even make the playoffs? I say yes by the skin of their teeth and slide in with the 7th or 8th seed and then lose in the first round to Boston or NY. Hope I am wrong but I think this is even a somewhat optimistic outlook at this point.

Just bearly. Then tank round 1. Same old same old.

It's an unsustainable system. You can't play a go-go hockey and expect to win every night. Like you mentioned, this system stresses the entire team, so no wonder they didn't come out hard in the 3rd period. How can you have anything left in the tank when you constantly in the attack zone and abandon the defense?

I really begin to question this coach's ability, to be honest. I don't know how much of his previous success had to do with his coaching or just having a stellar goaltending, and when he doesn't have that goaltending at his disposal, he is hapless. He sort of reminds me John Stevens: same tactics, same strategy form game to game with no adjustements based on the opposition. Laviolette may be a decent motivator, but I don't know how good of an x's and o's he is.

I am now in full agreement with you. Full.