Mad Dog

Why can't Bryzgalov give the Flyers a list of team he would like to go to? I can dream.....

Vancouver is in a similar predicament as we are, except they have Schneider - a star-potential young goalie stud who we don't have in the system. But what do they do with Luongo then? I am sure they would LOVE to give Scheinder a #1 job, but as long as Luongo and his money are there, they can't do much. I would think they will be working hard trying to dump Luongo this summer. There should be more buyers for Luongo than for Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov is pretty much unmovable.

They need to add a star defenceman, somehow. I would also lose Jagr and Carle and add another veteran winger to play on the first line, or promote Couturier to the first line. Other than that, they are in a fairly decent shape. The net position is still weak, but that isn't going to change.

Other than bottom dwellers like Columbus or Islanders, I don't think any team can promise him that. I would be surprised if he is back.

Yeah, serioulsy...... What a crock. Who doesn't make mistakes.......... it's one thing to let in one bad goal or two. But when your team *needs* you, when you are counted on, you cannot let in those types of goals. The reality is, the team beat Pittsburgh in *spite* of him. People will cry that he wasn't the reason the Flyers lost to the Devils. Ok, maybe..... debatable, but fine. But what I do know is that he didn't do much to help either. I looked to him to steal at least ONE game.... win at least one game by himself. Why it it so much to ask? I maintain we would be no worse off with Bob/Bouche this past spring. He let Phoenix down and they are doing 100 times better with Mike Smith. And he let the Flyers down. This guy is not a winner. He will never help ANY team win the Cup. NEVER.

I just really don't see much of a benefit in bringing him back. There is no doubt he can still be effective during the regular season. But clearly, at this point in his career, he will have nothing left when the plaoyffs start. He just no longer can go through a grueling 82 games season and still be fresh for the post-season. So with that being the case, what is the point of bringing him back? We need a faster and younger veteran scoring winger on the Giroux's line. Jagr doesn't fill that role anymore.

I can't say I am in shock, but I am extremely disappointed with this team. I know it's probably not the right way to look at it, but I look at as yet another year with no Cup.....another lost season. And the goaltending mess makes me even more upset. I don't know what to expect next season, especially knowing that Bryzgalov is not going anywhere.

And I would be Ok with giving him one more season as a trial. But if he shows no improvement AGAIN, see ya JVR.

What? Planning to resign Jagr and Carle?? Is Homer retarded?

And unfortunately, we've been hearing this "getting there" for way too many years. I think the author of the thread is asking a very legit question: is the Cup in the future? And if it is, how far away is this future? I know this team has exceeded many's expectations. I know the kids got some invaluable expereience... and all that. But I've to say, the way the season ended left a bad taste in my mouth. There are a lot of questions looming around this team as they are heading to the summer. I can't see the Flyers going into the training camp with this defense. How much Timonen has left in the tank? I love him to death, but at this stage in his career, he is a 3rd pairing defenseman. His salary, however, suggests otherwise. Something's gotta give here. And I want to see Matt Carle gone and gone soon. Same goes for Lilja. I think they need to cut ties with Jagr. They need a faster and more durable winger to play with Giroux. If we have a coach who doesn't seem to capable of adjusting, that's a HUGE problem. If all it takes is to study the tapes of Flyers' games and draw a blueprint to how to beat the Flyers, we are in trouble moving forward. And you know, so far Lavy didn't give me a glimpse of hope he can adjust. Of course the biggest question should be Bryzgalov. I can't see a team - ANY team - winning Stanely Cup with this guy in net. I am convinced of that now. Again, there were many issues in the Devils series, but Bryzgalov was mediocre. He was equally mediocre against the Pens, but the Flyers almost won *despite* him. That's scary. It really is. But I know the Flyers' brass is unlikely to do much at least right now. What do you do with JVR? I am getting more and more impatient with him. I have to wonder at this point whether the guy even wants to win.

Not with this goaltending.

Howie, So sorry to hear about your father. My condolences! As I mentioned in a different thread, the season went just about as most of us expected, if not better. I saw this as a borderline playoff team, and they ended up being better. I can see some shakeup on the D, but I also imagine Bourdon and Gus will make the team as regulars. Carle seems like a logical man out. The forwards are fine, I agree. But I would like to see Jagr being replaced with a younger veteran on the wing. I respect him for his professionalism, but the guy has nothing left.

I am still not convinced it was meant to be a "rebuilding" year. The team has made some bold moves, no doubt. But I don't know if it can be trully looked at as a rebuidling year with Jagr, Bryzgalov, Talbot plus those veterans that were already here. But all in all, the year went almost exactly as many of us predicted: a playoff team who woudl go as far the gaoltender would take us. The second part is painfully obvious.

Agreed. Diggy, nice job.... if we can also correct a sensorship ****.

He wasn't the reason they lost; that is true. But he did very little to help. He didn't make saves when his team needed him. That would be forgivable if we had Boucher or Bob in net. But we got this guy to win games by himself, which is what elite goalies do. He hasn't done that. When you watch the kid like Braden Holtby who came out of nowhere, making peanuts, and who almost singlehandedly carried the Caps on his back, it just hurts.

Not suggesting he is the problem per se. But is it possible that the players - at least some of them - just stopped listening to him? The team just looked lost and completely out of sink... I don't know.

As unlikely as it seems, but can we at least consider it? The whole team just looked totoally braindead this series. I watched the Devils-Florida series, and it really looked to me like Florida was a better team. At least they were attacking and pressuring and could've easily won Game 7. I just can't find any reason for the Flyers looking *that* bad. Could Lavy's style just start getting the players robbed the wrong way?

Is there anybody still having any doubts about this clown? I hope you are happy, Snider...... you old stupid fool you!!!

@jackhole Which begs the question why didn't they throw everything but a kitchen sink in the last game. The last game was pretty much the most crucial game of the entire season and the Flyers came out looking scared. I am really puzzlef with what's wrong with this team. To get so utterly dominated in every aspect... there is gotta be something else happening. I don't hold out much hope they can turn this around. They look way outmached to make me hope they can win this series. All i want to see tonight is what our playets are made of. If they have ay least some self esteem, they would show some fight and drive. That's really all I am hoping to see tonight.

That's an interesting observation, Fish. I was questioning his go-go style for a long time. And I think at times it got us in trouble and cost the Flyers games. But here is what I find puzzling. In *this* series, the Flyers are attacking less. The Devils are the team that's pressuring more. But what's worth noting is that they are actually doing it methodically, and the Flyers don't seem to have answers to that style of play. So I am trying to figure what it is Lavy is trying to implement in this series... what system. We are not attacking with enough intensity, but we are not playing defense-first either. What is it exactly he is telling the boys to do?

I think both the players and the coach are to blame for this disaster. The players are getting outwarked. Thats clear as a day and that's all on players. But we also see the other thing going on: the cycling that the Devils pushed on the Flyers since game one. Lavy did all but nothing to counter this maddening cycling. Also, the defensive coverage continues being a joke. I suppose, the players are liable thete, but that crap has been going on pretty much all season long. It is getting old. He shoul'be gotten it taken care of by now. All in all, this is a perfectly executed gameplan by the Devils. They're being by far a better team, they deserve to move on to the next round.

@aziz well, you, me, and fans of st louis, LA, washington, toronto, vancouver, buffalo, winnipeg (old jets and new jets), minnesota (north stars and wild)...we aren't alone in this. if my math is right, only 14 teams have won the cup since the flyers' last one. fans of 16 other teams have been waiting and hoping year after year after year. Well, sure. We are not along is what you are saying. Somehow, though, this is a weak consolation to me. I am a fan of the Philadelphia Flyers. I don't give a rat's tail about the other teams or the fans of those teams, just like I am sure they don't give a rat's tail about the Flyers and the fans of the Flyers. And that's normal. I will say that I sort of sympathize with the Leafs' fans. They share a similar frustration with us. But so what? It's like being poor and soothing yourself with a thought that there are many otehr people who are poor. Maybe it works for other people (in fact, I am sure it does), but that's not my thing. this is all entertainment. to me, the important part of hockey in general, and being a flyers fan in specific, is to enjoy watching and following and rooting all season long. watching a winning game is more enjorable than watching a losing game, and watching a winning series is more enjoyable than watching a losing one...and i assume watching a stanley cup win will be more enjoyable than anything else...but it isn't why i watch. You have touched on an interesting subject and even a sensitive subject. While I agree with your sentiment, I just can't make myself feel this way when I turn on the TV or go to the game. Deep down, I understand this is entertainment. I mean, it is. No less than watching opera, or a movie, or a reality show. But……… I can't just turn my emotions off when it comes to watching the Flyers play. That’s what it comes down to me. I can't look for that magic switch, because that's what it would be..... at least for me. I don't have many passions in life. Even when it comes to sports, when I watch basketball, tennis, or football, I *can* treat it as just sports. I *can* just watch and analyze without feeling a special connection. Hockey, for some weird reason, is different for me. I want this team to win. I feel a special affinity to this team. Call it craziness. Call it ardor. Even call it obsession. Fine. It's probably all of these things. But when I watch the Flyers play, I am thinking of what this team needs to do to win. That's my bull's eye. That’s an ultimate target. I care about the outcome more than I care about anything else *when* it concerns the Flyers. You are offering that I treat this as pure entertainment. That would be great; problem is, I have hard time re-wiring myself. Clearly - from what you described - you and I are wired differently. There are fans/posters on this very board who are wired just like you, and that's perfectly fine. There is not a single thing that's wrong with that. I just have a difficulty simply watching the game and not being on the edge, not feeling like I am a part of the game. I want to share this team's success. I want to be a part of a parade on Broad Street - the street that I walk in average once every month. Hell, even *knowing* that there is a parade on Breed Street will be sufficient; I don’t even physically have to be there. Again, you and I are wired differently. And that's all there is to it. So tying all this together...... I can say that I even feel jealous of the team who wins the Stanley Cup every year. It doesn't sit well with me that Carolina, Tampa and Anaheim won the Cup and we can't win in 37 years. I give this team a big credit - they painstakingly try, every year, to win. They do. They spare no expense to get the fans the Cup. And that's great. But when you go to the Conference Finals, when you even go to the Finals, at some point getting amassed 100 points in a regular season, finishing high in standings, and icing a competitive team is no longer good enough. Maybe it is for you, but I am no longer satisfied with just watching a great product on ice. I want this team to win the Cup. Just about every year, there is attempt at the explanation as to *why* the Flyers didn’t win. Bad coaching, Lindros, bad goaltending, injuries, tiredness, too much youth, not enough youth, not enough physical players, goaltending again…. every year there is something else. But the outcome is always common – no Cup. And there is always a feeling, an underlying theme, a promise that next year will be different. We are not sure why the next year would be different……. maybe just because the Flyers and we, fans, want to think that something will be different. We felt that way when Lindros came to town and the Legion of Doom was formed, we felt that way when Paul Coffey was acquired, when Beezer was acquired, when Brind’Amour was traded for Primeau, when Hicth was hired, we felt that way when Roenick was acquired, we cherished some promise with Richards and Carter…….. nothing happened…. NOTHING…. Again, it doesn’t bother you because you treat this as entertainment. Lucky you I say. I mean really.

Oh I am hoping for the best as well, and I agree this is a very winnable series. And I think they will win tomorrow. After all, if I am not mistaken, the Flyers haven't lost 3 straight games this entire season. But there are way too many things that need to go right for them to advance. First and foremost, I hope Lavy finds a way to take care of what should not even be a topic of the discussion - effort. The Flyers need to "outwant" (yes, I am making up words) the Devils. They need to get the swagger and desire back. I am completely stunned by them being outworked for most of the series so far. Secondly, the team needs to figure out how to beat this infuriating sycling by the Devils. The "walking wounded" just need to tough it out and play like it's their last game. They need to start hitting and harrassing the Devils like they did to the Pens' players. It makes me want to throw up when I see how easy they make it for the Devils to gain the blue line and attack from flanks. Oh, and it would help if that person in net we have could at last make saves he is expected to. I know, I am asking for too much on this one.

@aziz Understood. And good points. But........ to understand what I am lamenting about you need to think of the Flyers' history *without* focusing on this season. Again, if it was just one, two three, hell..... five seasons of a disappointment, I would be as understanding and patient as the next guy. The Rangers were a joke and a walking (or skating in this case) example of how NOT to build a franchise since Messier won the Cup and till Tortorella's arrival, which is roughly 15-years span. It's a long time. But they won and their fans, even those who are fairly young, remember that. The Flyers haven't won in 37 years. Think for a second of this!!!! Just thhink! 37 YEARS! That's a half of an average human life, and for many people, even more than that. Many Flyers fans are no longer alive to remember that, while the others are too young to witness it. That's how long it was. One would think it 37 years the team would win even by accident. I am well aware of the expectations this season, and frankly, I would even be OK if they lost to the Pens - in a strictly analytical, diagnostic, systematic sense. And not a single player on this roster is responsible for the reason why this team hasn't won in 37 years. I am just growing very frustrared with the outcome. It's a different road map of how this franchise arrives to the disappoinemnt, but the outcome is the same - no Cup. Just think of it: - One year it's a shocking loss to Florida Panthers, - Next year it's a sweep by Detroit, - Next year it's an overtime loss to Toronto, - Next year it's a blown 3-1 lead against the Devils in the ECF, - Next year it's a 0-8 loss at home against Buffalo, - Next year it's zero even-strength goals against Ottawa, - Another exit thanks to Ottawa, - A heartbreaking loss to Tampa, - Disgraceful loss to Bufallo, ending with a 7-1 loss at home, - No playoffs, - Loss to Pittsburgh, - Loss to Pittsburgh again, - Loss in the Finals to Chicago (very close, but no sigars), - Bad loss to Boston... Like I said, a different road map, but the same outcome for THIRTY SEVEN YEARS. And just about every year we hope for the next year. That next year comes, and it's teh same story again. And again. And again. And again. How can one not be sick of it? How? Especially watching the teams like Carolina, Tampa, and Anaheim win? How can that not make you feel depressed?

I go along with that. The guy is not a winner. The skaters are equally at fault here, but that doesn't matter. He is incapable of steeling even one game - ONE STINKING GAME - in the playoffs. And that's a mark of a mediocre goalie. Even the outcasts like Esche, Chechmanek, Biron, and Boucher stole at least one game, and actually in case of Boucher and Esche, the entire series. And they weren't getting paid a fortune. This guy can't do it. He just can't. The team needed him in Game 3 and he just did what he does best - let in a goal on the shot that's completely savable. I agree they won't buy out his contract, unless something really bizarre happens, and that's the whole tragedy of the situation.