Mad Dog

Isn't this question (is Timonen hurting?) asked just about EVERY year around this time in a season?

I sort of agree with both - you and FC. FC is right in the sense that these long-term contracts Homer has been signing players to are frustrating. To his defense, he is not the only GM who does that and basically what started happening after the lock-out ended 6 years ago is that a new CBA was put in place and GMs started doing these crazy signings left and right. So when others set a precedent and the pattern is followed, the players start having a feeling *they* are in the position to negotiate and get a favorable result of that negotiation. But there are several factors also to consider here, which were mainly situational. Briere, Timonen and Hartnell deals almost *had* to be made. The Flyers have completed the worst season in the team's history and utterly embarrassed its fanbase. That was actually one incident when I am glad Snider stepped in and ordered Homer to go out and bring some veteran stars. And again, the NTC, NMC, and the longevity were probably a prerequisite to signing all three. Otherwise, they would’ve signed somewhere else. There is no doubt the Flyers had to cater in to their demands. There was basically no choice. The Pronger deal - as detrimental and disastrous as it looks now - had to be made. I am not faulting Homer too much for giving up a lot. What *does* look a bit puzzling to me is why he had to sign him to this contract in the ensuing summer. My only guess is that Pronger's camp gave the Flyers an ultimatum, but then again, Pronger verbally indicated, time and time again, that he liked it here and wanted to stay. Is this current deal really the best the Flyers could do? Was there even a negotiation involved or Homer simply gave Pronger the contract he asked for right out of the gate? Bryzgalov deal is clearly a joke and disgrace. And I am saying this even in consideration that his play has improved over the last few weeks. But as was mentioned time and time again, this signing was more on Snider than on Homer. I don’t know the exact conversation, obviously, but I am guessing Snider’s words were probably along the lines of, “Go and sign him at whatever price”. I am sure Homer and Bryzgalov’s agent have negotiated; that much is known. But the question is, could the Flyers push a little further instead of settling on this? Could the duration be reduced? I am guessing, when the Bryzgalov’s agent told Homer that was the final offer, Homer ran to Snider and Snider said OK. What else? Am I missing any other ridiculous contracts? And again, those bad contracts happen throughout the league. The Flyers are not alone. I am sure if you ask the Rangers, they are not at all happy with Drury and Gomez contracts. At least we got some quality play out of Briere, who has been nothing short of phenomenal in just about every single post-season the Flyers had. The Rangers, on the other hand, have nothing to show for AT ALL. Wade Redden is another head-shaking contract. And by the way, as far as I know, the Rangers are still playing him almost $7 mil/year to play in the minors. That contract alone is what gets your GM fired. The Sabres signing Leino to a 6-year deal? All I can do is laugh hysterically every time I think of that signing. Florida will pay Sean Bergenheim $11 million (!!!!!!!) over the next four years. What about LeCavalier’s contract? The guy can still play. Sure. But 9 more years for a 31 year-old at almost $8 million per season?? Are you kidding me? What about Columbus giving James Wishiewki of all people six years and $33 mil (roughly $5.5 million per year)? After having looked at all these beyond stupid signings, can we really complain much about Timonen, Briere and Hartnell? I don’t think so. Pronger and Bryzgalov – most definitely.

Probably, but..... and I can't belive I am saying this....... Bryz deserved a little rest. We are missing some hugely important people on the D, which made Bryz work extra hard to earn those shutouts. And I have to admit, they *were* earned. The last thing Lavy wants is to burn his starting goalie out. I agree it was probably not the most opportunite time to sit him, but I guess Laviolette felt it simply needed to be done.

We all make mistakes, and the truth is, at the time the acquisition was made, it was impossible to predict what kind of a season Jagr would have, especially given his track record. But I have to admit, he absolutely SHOCKED me, and not just with his play, but his attitude to the game and to his teammates. I didn't know much about him, but it seems like even outside the rink, he is a genuinely cool dude. I really admire his unselfishness and his professionalism. I think re-signing him for teh next year is almost a given, assuming, of course, he wants to come back.

So this means by the time the season ends, he will outscore Andreas Nodl, right?

It has a concussion written all over it. Doesn't look good at all.

@Irishjim Actually, it may be a blessing in disguise. Get him rested. Every year come playoffs time, he looks totally spent. Now, of course, the Flyers have to *make* the playoffs first....

I think most people nailed it: he played solid...... probably the best I've seen him play in the O&B uniform. But this was a very strong team performance as well. But this was not in a 'wow'-type category which I am patiently waiting to see from him. But he looked aggressive and comfortable in net, and maybe this is to take as a building block, hopefully.

Ummmm. Like........ Marleau, Clowe, Pavelski, Thornton, Havlat, Ferriero (yes, even him). And they had high hopes for Torrey Mitchell, so much so that in the beginning of the year they penciled him in to play on the first line, but Mitchell happened to be somewhat of a disappointment. The fascinating thing is, Logan began the season, and spent most of the time, playing on the 3rd line. He was moved up because his play made it an easy choice. But he did have some competition. The bottom line is, while Benn and Couture will not only improve on the last year's numbers, but will exceed them by a decent margin, JVR almost took a step back. One cay say that this season is inconclusive because of his endless injuries, but even when he was healthy, no secret, he was struggling. And struggling a lot. And that's disconcerting.

I don't want to beat the dead horse (only the dead sheep.... lol), but that was something I eluded to in my response to you. There will always be mismatches in the NHL playoffs. ALWAYS. But the trick is, the better team on paper doesn't always win because there is a thing called intangibles. And in those mismatches, it's a time for a weaker team's goalie to prove his worth and if not win the series, at least steal a game or two. And who knows… if Bryz has played on a stupendous level in a first two games, even if the ‘Yotes lost, that would’ve had some negative effect on the Wings and positive effect on the Bryzgalov’s teammates, to the point where *maybe* Detroit would feel a bit shaky and it woudln;t be such a slam dunk for them in that series. And that’s the whole point. Yes, the whole Phoenix team stank; nobody is trying to deny that. But Bryz did next to nothing to help his team win at least 1 game. It was almost like he said, “Oh well, we don’t stand a chance anyway, why should I even try?” And that’s been very reflective how he played essentially this entire season, maybe with the exception of the last game… Hopefully he woke up, although something tells me he will revert to his normal average self.

But the travesty is how far JVR sank since been drafted compared to those who were taken later in that draft. The mere fact that there is even a contemplation or a mere conjecture of him being possibly traded this summer is enough proof of how much he disappointed. I bet you neither Dallas nor San Jose are even thinking about trading Benn or Couture. Both - along with Kane, obvioulsy - became basically centerprieces of each of their respective team. And with Couture it's especially admirable given the Sharks' depth and who he had to compete with for the ice time. JVR has been given plenty of opportunities to shine and he didn't. I really feel the next season (if the Flyers hold on to him, that is), will define not only his destiny with the Flyers, but perhaps his entire career. I'll chalk this season up to injuries, but let's see what he does moving forward.

He wasn't. But............. his performance in that series was very reminiscent of his performance so far in this season. He didn't have a single game in that series where he had a wow-type performance, the perfroance which could've given teh Wings a reason to think taht maybe Bryzgalov is the reason why they have to start taking that Phoenix team seriously. Example: last playoffs, the Sabres were in over their head with the Flyers in the first series. Yet Ryan Miller won 2 games on his own and kept them in some other games. That series should've been a sweep - that's how badly the Sabres were outmatched by the Flyers. And that's how you judge your goalie. A premiere goalie gives his team a chance to win, no matter how pitiful the team is. If your goalie shines and steals a good deal of games, you have a fighting chance to win. That's all you can ask of your goalie. Bryzgalov doesn't have it in him; I am all but convinced of that by now.

And you know... as dumb as DiPietro contract was, at least DiPietro showed that he was capable of carrying the load. He had several rather successful season but the reality is: he had no shot to do much with that beyond pathetic organization. The Islanders were - and probably still are - an absolute disgrace of a professional team. DiPietro had a better track record. I know many people would probably dismiss that but he was a Team's USA #1 goalie in 2006 Winter Olympics. And more importantly - something that's less quantifiable, of course - he is just a better goalie that Bryzgalov, and that, to me, is not even debatable. He plays the puck more aggressively, he has better instincts, he doesn't usually leave huge rebounds, and he *is* the type of a goalie who is capable of winning games on his own. But again, playing behind one of the consistently terrible franchise for years, coupled with just bad luck with injuries, tremendously skews his stats and just an overall perception. Bryzgalov has none of that, frankly. He folded like a cardboard box in the playoffs last year. He didn't give his Phoenix team even a slightest chance to win a single game. He arrived here, in Philly, with expectations to carry the team. Not only he didn't carry the team, he was plain horrid so far with maybe several games where he only OK. I am willing to give everything I've got that in a similar situation DiPietro would be absolutely fantastic with the Flyers and against Detroit last year. Of course, I have nothing to back it up with other than just my hunch, but the point is, DiPietro's stupid contract is at least partially justifiable. He was clearly the best player that team had at the time he has gotten the contract. The Islanders wanted to make him the face of the franchise for years and build around him. Clearly, the longevity was stupid, but the intent was sane. The Flyers, on the other hand, had no rational substantiation of giving the goalie with a totally unproven track record such a ludicrous contract. I am trying to rationalize Snider’s decision, and no matter from what angle I am looking at it, there was no good reason to do what he has done. It was clear, from eth beginning, that the Flyers targeted Bryzgalov way before July 1 free agency even opened, and started “working” him. They brought him over for the tour to Philly to show the sightseeing and “better areas” to get him sold on coming here. They wanted him and they wanted him bad. Why?????? They acted like they were trying to lure the second coming of Martin Brodeur. That was a miscalculation, a blunder, a professional gaffe of a dramatic, monumental proportion. Factor in the fact that they had a decent, promising - albeit not a brilliant – young kid goalie in the system who they worked very hard to develop last year, and this decision is borderline criminal. And the most depressing news is that there is no easy way out of this. At least with Pronger there is a chance they can somehow lose his contract, but I just can’t see what they can do about this one. And I don’t see Bryzgalov getting much better. He will likely play better, sure….. But he proved to me that he is not a savior, not the premiere goalie who will win you games and playoff series – not even close. Just about every single crappy goalie we had so far… as bad as they were…. won games and won at least one playoff series on their own. They gave the team a chance. Bryzgalov didn’t and won’t. No way, no how. A faux pas at its best if you ask me.

@canoli Bryzgalov deal will go down as one of the worst deals in the NHL history - mark my word. I can't see that clown immensely improving his game. He will likely start playing OK, but he will never be playing up to the expectations Snider had for him. I just can't see how people can even argue about this blunder. The only hope is that under the new CBA teams *may* be able to do something to lose these types of contract, or at least get a partial releif. If not, boy....... aren't we ****ed for years. edit: Digity - I didn't realize there is sensoring on this site.

Even the 8th seed is not out of the realm of possibility. Doesn't matter - playoffs are playoffs. Once they are in, anything can happen, of course.

Do they really lead in that category? What I definitely didn't expect is to see our $6 mil goalie vying for the worst goaltender award this year. That's probably the biggest thing I did *not* expect.

But wait. That's in conflict with Canoli's interpretation. And I already started celebrating, thinking I got an answer. Damn........ Can you and Canoli maybe... ummm.... talk on the side and come to the consensus *first* before you start posting conflicting translation? :unsure:

I really don't understand why people continue doing this to themselves. Why set expectations up so high only to get disappointed? Have we not learned a damn thing with this team, yet? And what did you really expect this year? The team has gone through some major transformations last summer. And as far as I see, not all of those changes would gurantee winning. So far, the team has performed more or less along the lines of what I expected. I predicted last summer that this would be a borderline playoff team. I think they will make it. But one round is a very realistic expectation. Anything beyond that would be a bonus based on how this season progressed.

@canoli You better start charging Digity for deciphering. No freelancing! B)

You meant to say phlfly. But I forgive you. In phlfly's defense, English is his second (or maybe even third) language. He tries to communicate (I hope he *does* try). But every time I try to read his posts - and I don't mean to say this with derision or disrespect - my head literally hurts. I want to communicate with him, but I only can understand about 50% of what he tries to say.

They are in trouble if that happens, of course. I mean I just can't see them surviving not haivng Gaborik at his 100%. So far they lucked out with him being reasonably healthy, and I am surprised he was. But yeah, now that you've broken it down like that, clearly, they've been winning games because of Lundqvist The God. But why can't that carry over to the playoffs? Again, I hope it won't.........

@aziz As much as I would like to believe and hope the Rangers would not be up to snuff in the playoffs, I am afraid they will do very well. They have enough players who can score and Callahan is proving to be what we hoped Mike Richards would be: he hits, he scores timely goals, he passes… There is hardly anything he won’t do to win. Their defense is surprisingly solid. I don’t get how they get it done with that group of people, but they shut teams down, somehow. And of course, not surprisingly, that guy between the pipes is probably the best goalie in the NHL to date. *And* they have a coach who knows how to win. Like you said, playoffs is a different animal, but I just think that team will do very well in the playoffs. But I am hoping, of course, for the opposite.

Woooof.... I wish I could have a clue what you were trying to say.

But I can't use your favorite (sheep) color (white), because.... well.... white on white = zero visibility. lol

Yep.... And I love this: "It had to be done," Snider told the Daily News, just after arriving here for tonight's NHL Awards show at The Palms Casino and Resort. "I was part of making it happen. It was hard to sit there and watch the Stanley Cup final, knowing what [Tim] Thomas was doing for Boston. Exactly what "had to be done", Ed? And did he actually try to compare Bryzgalov to Tim Thomas? What better demonstrations are needed that this is exactly why an owner should not be making these kinds of decicions.