Navyhockey

where was he before to be called up to the ECHL?

He has been in the Federal League the past couple of seasons for the Brooklyn Aviators and 1000 Islands Privateers. Here are his stats:

http://eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=94392

I have no issue with the possibility of including the two in a deal. That will *not* address "the goalie problem" as Bryzgalov still has eight years on his deal.

$500K is not enough, IMO, to make the deal worthwhile.

There really is no shot right now at dropping Bryz, so if your definition of addressing the goalie situation is to get rid of him, then you're right it will never be settled. However, I think Bernier is an upgrade, plus it will save money. If he steals the job from Bryz, somthing that Bob hasn't been able to do, then Bryz can be the league's most expensive backup. If he gets challenged by a backup, one of two things will happen. He will either step up his game because someone is pushing him, or he will wilt and eventually beg to waive his NMC to get out of Philly. We win either way.

Four out of five threads surveyed are about the goalie problem.

In terms of trading for Dustin Brown, what on Earth does "the goalie problem" have to do with it?

There are only two realistic ways out of "the goalie problem" - Bryzgalov is bought out or plays to the level we all expect. Both mean we have to wait for the end of the season.

The third option of "another fool GM decides to make the Flyers' life easier" simply doesn't exist in any real sense. The Flyers have no reason to pick up Bernier with Bryzgalov signed longterm and Bob under contract for next season, so including him in any trade isn't among the likely things to happen.

If one wants to talk about "the goalie problem" then talk about it in one of the threads about "the goalie problem" - there's no need to bring it up in the discussion as to whether we want to trade our "disappointing" forward for their "disappointing" forward as if no one on the planet - or, indeed, the huge universe - was considering it.

@brelic only for the phrase "Agreed" (lol)

Bernier would actually help the team save $500,000 on the salary cap next year. And personally, I think Bernier has a bigger upside, so we either flip him next year, resign him and somehow get rid of Bryz, or get a bit of a discount on the next deal since Bernier has a smaller cap hit than Bob right now.

Congrats to Peter Dundovich, Roman Catholic class of 2003, who was just called up to the Trenton Titans! Here's hoping he catches fire there and can be a surprise prospect for the Phantoms or possibly Flyers some day!

I'd have to believe that JvR & Bob would be the main pieces of the deal, maybe a pick too.

Some of the experts say that LA wants a scorer and young D for Brown. If Bernier gets tossed in, they would most likely need a goalie in return. So maybe something like:

Brown and Bernier for JVR, Bob, Bourdon OR Gustafsson, and a pick. Certainly rather do this than get Nash.

What's everyone's thoughts on the state of the team before the deadline? Is Homer still looking for a trade, or is he all set after Grossman and Kubina?

I'm a big big fan of both moves. Kubina seems like a true flyer already with his comments. But of course, there seems to be nothing we can do about the goaltending situation this year. Have been hoping and will continue to hope that either Bryz or Bobs finds his game and plays with enough consistency to be a clear #1. Doubtful.

But other than the goalies, I really like the look of the team now, both offense, which has been dominant the whole year, and a now bigger, more powerful d-corp. Kubina's right hand shot is only going to add to the offensive options.

Seems like the same story as it is every year, but I like this team going toward the playoffs with just the goalie as the omnipresent question mark.

That said, I think Homer's done. Maybe a try for Nash closer to the deadline if the price comes down--JVR, Carle, Read, maybe? Save that, I think this will be the team we take into the playoffs.

The new name that is being floated around is Dustin Brown, especially with the Carter deal just going down. The Flyers are rumored to be one of the teams interested. That move doesn't really blow my skirt up, but if we can get him for cheap since his stats are down this season, I wouldn't mind it. Now if they tossed in Bernier, I would certainly listen. Not sure what we could possibly offer that would interest LA though.

Looks like LA is trading Jack Johnson to Columbus for Carter.

Was hoping that Homer would trade for Johnson. Oh well.

Watch Carter catch fire in LA. He's gotta be the happiest man in the NHL right now.

I have never been to LA. I hope there is somewhere in LA that can be considered Old City West to satisfy the party boys!

I think overall this season the Flyers have been consistently physical..Jets are usually physical also so this game was no surprise..

I would have to disagree there. I don't think the Flyers have been nearly as physical as they have been in the past. I know that's tough to judge since it's a different style, but I think even for the system they play in, they don't hit nearly enough. We get pushed around by teams like Boston and NY.

Coming out of that time out, they really started to pick up the hitting, which ultimately led to a goal. With a bigger lineup, we need to do this more often. Also, the first man forecheck needs to go hard into the offensive zone on the dumps. It makes teams cough the puck up, and with our speed, we can turn that into goals. We're not going to win games 1-0, so it's time to go full throttle and win 5-3 games more often.

Judging by the boos on Saturday, and that .900 sv % (good for 62nd in the league), it’s safe to say that, thus far, none of us are too happy with the Flyers’ $51 million investment.

Based on some recent comments, Bryz isn't too happy, either. This is what he told reporters on Saturday:

“You know, I think it’s an easy life when you can blame one guy…’it’s a bad goalie, it’s the goalie’s mistake.’ It’s easy to find a scapegoat. You point to one guy and say we’re always losing because we have a bad goalie, but I think it’s the wrong philosophy. I know I was frustrated in my game today and I know I have to be better and I will continue to work on this, but….I will try to find peace in my soul to play in this city”

Yeah, see, that’s not good. And when you factor in Bryz's

lost in the woods statement, the team has a better chance to win without me comments from the Winter Classic, and his general demeanor, you can’t help but think that he may become one of the players that gets eaten up by this market.

Reader T.J. gets that sense, as well.

T.J., a 39-year-old father with whom I spoke earlier today, brought his 9-year-old son to the Flyers Wives Carnival yesterday. His son wore an Ilya Bryzgalov jersey and was thrilled when he got to shoot on the $51 million goaltender. Later, at an autograph signing where Bryz signed a picture for the young fan, T.J. tried to give the forlorn goalie a fan’s vote of confidence:

I said, “Hey Bryz, this is a great city to play in. If the fans didn’t care, you wouldn’t hear from anybody. But good luck the rest of the year, man.” And he looked at me, kind of crinkled his lips, put his head back and to the side and said, “I think you (the city) care too much.”

I didn’t say anything. There were other people around, a couple ladies were behind me, in line, and like “no, no, no.” They were kind of groaning a little bit. I could have said all kinds of things to him, but that was not the time, place, nothing. Especially since I was standing there with my kid. He’s in awe of the big-time goalie for the Flyers. So I wasn’t going to say anything.

That’s hardly criminal. But telling a fan - one who paid around $20 just to meet you - that “they care too much,” is a just about the worst thing an athlete can say to a fan or fan base. In fact, I just came up with a rule, which I do wish that you will like: Any time an athlete who you’re paying to see (and that includes purchasing a ticket to watch them perform) tells you that you or the fan base "cares too much," you can do one of two things: 1) punch him-- but that might not end well. Or, 2) (recommended) Google his salary and contract info (in the case of Ilya Bryzgalov, $51 million), and inform him that your “caring too much” allows him to own a humongous house and hot girl Husky like this:

T.J. was bothered enough by the comment and Bryz’s demeanor, which sounded like it was somewhere between indifferent and tolerant, that he thought the encounter should be shared. And so do I.

Between that comment and many others this season, it’s fair to question whether Bryz can hang in this city. I wonder if any team would be willing to take that humongous big contract off the Flyers’ hands?

Probably not.

I just read this. He WILL NOT last in this market. I will take mason any day of the week over this nonsense. Put Bryz in the Nash deal and take back Mason. Give them JVR, Carle, a 1st, and Schenn immediately.

Unfortunately, one or both are almost certainly rentals. The Flyers salary is at $67MM. They are $5MM over due to Pronger's LTIR. After this season, Betts and Laperriere come off for sure and maybe Jagr but that's it. Grossman is going to get a raise, as will Carle if he stays. Long story short, they probably can't keep Kubina.

There won't be enough roster spots to keep Carle, Grossman, and Kubina. You already have Timonen, Coburn, and Meszaros. One of those spots should be saved for a young and/or cheap player, so I see at most 2 of the 3 resigned. I think Grossman can be had for relatively cheap, so it comes down to how the other two play, plus their contract demands.

While my preference would be that if we are going to spend $7-8 million a year I would prefer it be on someone like Weber, I definitely think there is something to acquiring Nash.

IF the Flyers truly are involved with Columbus on acquiring Nash, then surely one of our young stars will almost surely be included in the package. So playing devils advocate, if either Schenn or Couterier had to be included to get the deal done, who would you include?

And I have heard a lot of people complain about youth but Nash is still only 27 years old and in his prime. His stats on a lousy team speak for themselves.

He's averaged over 30 goals on a horrible BJ team that has no one else. You put him on a line with Giroux and we likely would have our first 50 goal scorer since LeClair. He is big, but unlike Carter, actually does pass the puck as he has a pretty good goal to assist ratio.

I think Schenn has shown lately why he was so highly rated as he brings a physical package and can score. Couts is bigger, not as physical but his hockey sense is through the roof.

So if a trade for Nash had to be made, who would you include of Couts and Schenn?

My choice would be to keep Couterier. He is like a coach on the ice, has excellent size and will only fill out over time. Plus if moved up to a scoring line or playing with guys who can score, his numbers would dramatically increase. Not to mention his all around game of being responsible defensively, ability to win faceoffs, etc.

If I am bringing in Nash, I hope it involves Brzy somehow, but that's for another discussion. I would trade Schenn if we're getting Nash. We would be getting a bonafied scorer, so I would be willing to part with a young gun that is more known for putting the puck in the net than being a two-way forward. Also, Couturier comes cheaper right now, so I think it would be better to kep him, even if Schenn has a higher ceiling offensively.

Doom:

Ok, what next. Flyers just got Kubina. I think that makes 51 contracts. I think Lilja and probably Carl is now very expendable. Put they still need a puck handling defenseman if Carl gets moved.

I think a larger trade is coming. This has been Holmgren's MO.

Carle, JVR, Bryz, Schenn or Courtier to Columbus for Nash and Mason? Too much? A defenseman from Columbus?

Bear

I hate when fans want to ship off a guy as soon as he slumps, but I am totally on board with doing that to Bryz. He isn't just playing bad, he is outing his craziness through the media, which never ends well. He won't last in this city. I would offer JVR, Carle, Bryz, and a 1st for Nash and Mason. I think JVR could also be pushing the patience of the team with this season in addition to his desire to stay in college a few years ago. Carle most likely won't be resigned, so we're not losing too much there. Hopefully the 1st would be a late one since we're making a push for this year's playoffs, something I just don't get. But we're already down the road, so we need to fix our real problem and hope that a change of scenery helps Mason out, although odds are it won't. At least Mason would be here only another year, so we either give the reigns to Bob or we go back to square 1 on finding another "franchise" goale.

If Columbus pushes for a young talent, I pull back the first and offer Schenn. I believe that would actually save us a couple million off the cap so we could resign Kubina or bring in another D in the offseason. Still, though, I don't think we're a Cup contender this year, so I hate that we're making such a push. But what's done is done.

Holy crap, slow it down. Leighton? Hell no. I hated today's loss too, but that's exactly the kind of rash thinking that people on here criticize Homer for. Leighton rots in the A. If you give up in Bryz this season, might as well play Bob the rest of the way to develop him.

You better not be talking smack about "AHL All-Star" Michael Leighton! Wow, I can't even type that without laughing out loud.

I have to agree, this isn't the year to make a deal. I don't think we beat either NY or Boston in the playoffs, so why mortgage the future to maybe win 2 games against those teams instead of 1 in a playoff series? Let's hope that Bryz figures his stuff out next year and that we can keep this young team intact, while also making a few key additions. I think next year is when we push.

Looks like Paterno is about to pass. It's amazing how quickly things went south once the scandal broke. Prayers to him and his family.

http://m.citizensvoice.com/news/source-paterno-in-grave-condition-1.1260837

'journalists'? haha.. bleacher report and journalists don't go together.

Bleacher Report is run by someone who has taken too many PowerPoint classes.

Maybe not, but if you're Poile, why wouldn't you make the price really really high? He doesn't have to trade anyone, and if he trades either one, he will have problems signing the other. Both want to stay there provided they show a commitment to winning, and trading one of them away really weakens their back end.

The way some of our rookies are playing, plus the players we acquired in the Carter/Richards trades kinda makes JVR a little more expendable.

Polie has to be careful to not overplay his hand. Keeping both really isn't an option for that team. At least one of them won't be able to be resigned, if not both. Get what you can for at least one of them now.

@brelic

I can't see a way where Homer goes JVR, Carle, plue 2 1st round picks for Suter or Weber. What would they want with Carle, they will be too focused on paying for JVRs contract plus trying to sign whoever isn't traded between Suter/Weber. They won't have to still go in trying to negotiate with 2 defensemen. I can see JVR, Schenn plus picks for Suter or Weber. I'm on the fence with JVR, which I really shouldn't be since he's so young, but we will need that franchise D because Pronger is probably done and Timmonen is getting up there in years, although he's having a hell of a season.