Mad Dog

Somewhat, yeah, it is an uncharted territory. But he was behind (direclty or not) some bold moves: moving Iverson, giving a green light to trade Lindros and, I am sure, if not directly ordered, he was very much involved in getting Pronger. And I know for a fact that not only he was 100% behind trading Richards and Carter, he actually orchestrated and initiated the campaign in shipping them out of town: Richards in particular since Snider just could not stand the guy. That was his doing and nobody else's. I think if Homer comes to Snider with a plan, Snider will have no problem getting rid of Bryzgalov.

The only thing I can say to that is hopefully... hopefully... he just somehow gets acclimated and once it sinks into his head that this is it, and, as you said, the city won't change, the only thing that's left for him to do is to just stop the puck. There were other athletes in other sports who had hard time adjusting when they came from smaller markets to Philly, but once they got their heads on straight, they started playing at least marginally better. That I agree. As bad as Jeff Hackett, Beezer, Sean Burke, Robert Esche, Roman Chechmanek, Biron, Boucher were, at least they had long waves of solid, decent, and sometimes even spectacular, performances...... so much so that each year there would be a talk about the goalie situation finally been resolved. They all had good spells and there were not much controversy *until* the playoffs would begin, at which point, of course, it would be back to "normal" with this team. But I cannot honestly recall a Flyers goalie being *that* bad for *that* long. Leighton is an exception, but because of his relatively low profile and lack of previous accomplishments, let's be honest: are we really that surprised? And that's why it sucks. At least with all those guys, you knew what to expect. You set your expectations low because you had every right to expect mediocrity at best and monumental failure at worst. Nobody had a right to expect much from Martin Biron. Or Brian Boucher. They are what they are. And Niitty and Bob were both dark horses. In some respect, actually, each of them actually exceeded the expectations. This is different. As overhyped and overrated Bryzgalov was coming in, he is not Biron or Boucher. Let's get that out of the way right now. Why is this guy being so ridiculously horrid? I can't see any other explanation other than he is putting way too much pressure on himself. I think this is why he chooses to act as a comic with the press - that gives him some sort of a pressure relief. It's so easy to hate the guy, but for the Flyers' own sake, they have to find the way to help him get his game back. He is capable of playing much better than he plays now.

It very well may be the case. At teh very least, I havge no doubt it plays at least *some* role in his beyond crappy play. He continues talking about how different it is to play in this city. And even though I don't have a degree of a psychologist, clearly, if it's enough for him to bring this up, and bring this up repeatedly, it's in his head and it's on his mind. Well, if that's really the case (which we'll likely never find out), that could be reparable. If Bryzgalov is being his own worst enemy, that should pass with time. Once he overcomes nervousness and self-induced pressure, logic suggests he will start looking more like himself. Will the Flyers have enough patience is a whole different question altogether.

And putting aside (at least for now) how he has struggled so far, I think it's a given that his playoff performance will basically determine his fate. Snider - as stubborn and heisty as he is - has shown that he is willing to acknowledge his mistakes. And from the links Rad pasted previously, this was baiscally a unilateral Snider's decision.... which I didn't know. I really think if Bryzgalov has a performance similar to what he has given in the regular season, Snider will go out of his way to get rid of Bryzgalov. I don't know *how* he will do it, but I am almost certain he will get it done. I think in this case, his impatience and hastiness will actually be to the team's advanatge. But I just can't see them going with this goaltending into the next training camp. This has been BY FAR the worst Flyers' netminder over the last 12-15 years. It cannot continue for long.

And that's what boggles my mind more than anything. Sure, the system in Phoenix was conducive to him playing well, but he still had to make saves, system or not. How can any NHL goalie allow the first Cook’s goal in the Saturday’s game? And most of the goals he lets in are the saves that just about ANY goalie, let alone a former Vezina candidate, is supposed to be able to make. I don’t want to start anything, but I really have a feeling that there is something more to it. Something makes Bryzgalov uncomfortable. What it is – I have no idea. But he clearly looks uncomfortable playing this year.

I don't have much of a problem of trading JVR to get Nash. I am sure if that was all that it takes, both parties woudl've gotten it done by now. The bigger issue to me is balancing salaries. Unless the Flyers find a creative way of gettign rid of some significant salary, Nash is a pipe dream. If they could somehow trade Bryzgalov, taht would just about do it, but it ain't happening because nobody, in his right mind, is taking on that ridiculous contract. And teh second obtsacle in my mind is teh fact that Columbus will most certainly want either Couturier or Schenn (or maybe even both) as part of this deal. And I am not giving up even one of them, because I think both can actually be amazing players in not so distant future. With Kubina and Grossman acquisition, all this team really needs right now is good goaltending.... I am not even talking *great* - just good goalending. They don't need Nash; they have enough scorers.

@radoran Wow. That's shameful, really. God only knows why would the owner feel he needs to interefere to such a laughable extent. Given that, you are right of course: Homer doesn't need an "out". I hope The Old Man feels proud of his achievement.

What a damned shame. Poor guy. At this point, he should not even contemplate hockey but shoudl rather focus on getting his life back so he could enjoy the normal life, considering he is not even 40 yet. It sure sounds like Primeau's story, sadly.

Sure, but here is what I wonder though. It's been made known that the directive to upgrade in net immediately came directly from Snider. But did Snider actually tell Holmgren *who* he should sign? Snider meddles, but I don't know if he meddles *that* much. Does he actually give his GM names of players who he wants or does not want to sign? If that's the case, why even have a GM? I think the selection was purely Holmgren's and his aids. It turned out it was a wrong - almost criminally wrong - decision.

@radoran Believe me Rad, I am entirely with your line of logic. I would also note that Phoenix plays a totally different style of game. They win games with defense, not offense, like Laviolette tries to do. As I said many times before, the goalie is basically destined to succeed in that system. Look at Mike Smith who is being an unquestioned MVP for that team. That's Mike Smith - an outcast, a pariah of the NHL. Yet, one cannot dismiss the abysmal way Bryzgalov has been playing this year. I’ve never seen ANYthing like this before, and we all witnessed the dregs in net this team had over the last 12-15 years. Yet, I don’t think I would be reaching much by saying this is BY FAR the worst goalie (performance-wise) we had in this city in a long, long time. The Cook’s first goal this weekend only typified the way Bryzgalov has been playing all season long. He had no right NOT to make a save on that shot. There was absolutely no reason to let that one in. *I* could’ve made that save; that’s how easy that shot was. My point was that I was just trying to give Holmgren some way-out. The Flyers had to make a move after the disaster of the playoffs they had. Problem is, there was nobody on the market who was worth a spit. If anything, I would’ve probably gone with Vocoun as a back-up and tried to groom Bob. We can only speculate at this point whether this would have resulted in a different outcome, but at least you wouldn’t be committing to this gargantuan contract, in the process having a real shot at seeing what your kid goalie can do in his full second year. Logic suggests though, it couldn’t possibly be any worse than this fiasco the Flyers have on their hands now. I don’t agree with the move, but I understand *why* it was made.

We are trying, FC. And you can see he starts getting flustered by the boos and how media asks questions. Problem is, there is very little the Flyers can do, at least right now. No GM - unless he he had an extra donse of Xanax - will trade fro this joke of a goaltender, even for free, let alone considering this unbelivable stupid contract... The Flyers' hands are tied. I just can't see anything happening until at least this summer - at earliest.

I can see where Holmgren could've bought this line, hook and sinker. Right or wrong, but Bryzgalov was a Vezina candidate not so long ago.... which till this day is a mistery to me. Not defending the beyond stupid contract he gave him, but at least I can see why he did it considering the time it happened and everything else.

That goal absolutely infuriated me... not like one needs a reason to be furious with that jerk in net. But how can you not make that save??? How can you not? What was so unpredictable or difficult that he could not make that save? There were no screens, no deflections, no bounces. He has a clear lane. But instead, like you said, he is watching the puck just going by him. It's absolutely disgusting, ludicrous, nauseating and repulsive. An AHL, an IHL goalie, an absolute novice ..… hell… a street hockey goalie makes that save in 9 out of 10 times. I just can’t fathom it. I really think he simply lost ANY interest playing for this team at this point.

Yes, a Russian sieve. Nicely done... Some of us can read Russian.

@Bakanekimiwa I completely understand what you are saying, and you are making some sound points. I mean the opportunity to land someone of Nash's caliber does not come every day. But as you eluded to yourself, just about any significant deal the Flyers make from this point forward revolves around the destiny of this jerk Bryzgalov. I just can't see the Flyers adding $7.8 mil yearly salary of Nash for the next at least 5 years (I know he is signed through at least '17), without shedding some significant salaries. And considering that goaltendting (yes, again, as ironic as it is) and defense are the most glaring issues this team has, I just can't see how they can do it. Logic suggests they will wait till the summer and try to bring some big-name d-man. I don't think they will be lucky enough to get rid of Bryzgalov, but getting a quality D is well within their reach. I really think that's where they should channel their effort at.

She is absolutely spectacular. If seing her at the Flyers Wife carnival every year means getting that loser husband of her here, so be it. ^_^

That's all the Rangers need - Nash. That would be just perfect. And their GM will find a way to give up next to nothing to get him. But honestly, Nash is not what this team needs RIGHT NOW. Give me another steady d-man and I am happy.

Other than the fact that he is married to one of the most attractive women in the universe, Shaldon Souray brings very little to the table (other than his wife, of course). But maaaaaaaaan, she is absolutely STUNNING.

@canoli Then why, in your opinion, the team D looks lost in many games since the season started? I mean there could be a legit reason other than the system, but then what is it? How can you also explain that our d-men almost always look lost and get caught up out of position on the counter rush? They look especially bad if you look at them as a unit instead of individually. And I am not even counting Bourdon and Gustavson. But Kimo, Meszaros, Carle and Coburn look inapt on many nights. They look burned out towards te end of games. You are saying that's not being the case. OK, then maybe I am not seeing something that you are, because to me, they sure look tired. And as the season progresses, this up-tempo, go-go, reckless abandon-type of play will only fatigue them further. Yes, they won more games than they lost, which is stating the obvious.... but we both agree (I think) that the team D sucks. In many games they won, they simply got away with bad defense. See, that's where you *do* need the likes of Lucic, David Backes, Mike Richards, Ryan Kessler, and Brad Marchands to be on the team. I would claim that the overall crappy play of the team's defense is partially - while not exclusively - is a result of Homer's not having addressed this area at all. He lost Betts, Richards, and Lappy without finding a suitable replacement. Players like Jarome Iginla, Jagr, Briere and Hartnell, although *can* defend, they are not used for their defensive play and rarely, if ever, receive time on the penalty kill. I remember at one time, the line of Otto, Podein and whoever else was with them (Trent Klatt?) was used to shut down the opposing line. And they were quite effective at that. Plus, Brind'Amour was always among the kings of defense... While I certainly don't expect to have the entire line intended *just* for that (although it would be nice), why having at least several players on the team is too much to ask? I mean, if the team overall was more than capable of playing a solid team defense and not allowing glaring, inexcusable break-downs, sure... I would agree with you. But exactly *because* the defense overall sucks, I'd say there is a void. Hartnell, Briere and Jagr are what they are. You would be naive if you expect them to suddenly pick up the defensive play. Why didn't they do it by now? But Reed and Couturier (and maybe even Voracek since he is still very young) should all get better in that department next year, if not even sooner.

@ But you don't think *any* of our troubles are due to coaching? I am not absolving the players - especially this comedian Bryzgalov - from blame. Nobody is getting a free lunch. But come'n now.... Mike Smith, whose career's average save % was around 0.89 suddenly improved to 0.93 and his GAA went down from almost 3.0 to 2.3. And it's Mike Stinking Smith! You don't think the coaching/system has much to do with that? Yes, Bryzgalov is being atroceous... probably the worst the Flyers' goaltending has been during the regualr season over the last decade... and that's not saying much considering the stiffs we had in the past. And to be fair, I didn't expect him to be a savior when we got him, but there is no way he should be *that* terrible. This defensive corps on paper is easily one of the best in the entire league, let alone Eastern Conference. Yet they play like a collection of rookies, flapping, falling out of position, and getting beaten on just about every possession. Sure, the team D is bad. But then *why* is that bad? Did a veteran like Timonen suddenly forget how to cover the crease? Again, everybody is responsible, including the GM who failed to get defensively responsible forwards. But the coach most definitely should be getting plenty of heat.

If Homer gives up Bob for Hal Gill, he should be shot at that moment. Not fired - SHOT. I really hope Gouthier showed up to scout the Rangers' players, not our players. I am sure they have some decent players on their roster who they would be looking to move, but that won't be for free. And I just hope Homer doesn't weaken this team.

They are still good enough to make the playoffs...... even playing this mystifying, baffling, self-destructive style of play. They will make the playoffs simply because there are not so many teams who are better. But I just can’t see this team doing anything substantive in the playoffs, unless some drastic, dramatic changes are made between now and the trade deadline.

Assessing this team's performance over a long-term scale, it is ABSOLUTELY coaching. No two ways about that. As I said in my previous post to Canoli, as much as it's convenient to throw rocks at Bryzgalov and blame the D, eventually someone has to start pointing fingers at the First in Command.

I don't disagree with that, Canoli, plus the rest of your analysis. But perhaps I should've clarified: my description of how Coburn has been playing was not necessarily a criticism of *Coburn* per se. More than anything - if not everything - it's a reflection of how unsustainable the way this team plays is. I really think that both Meszaros and Coburn are being victimized by the strategy Laviolette employs when it comes to joining the attack. Watch intently the next time this team plays: the d-men really have no idea what they are supposed to do when there is a quick rush. They don't seem to have a good sense as to whether they should join the rush or stay home. You mentioned Meszaros' bad passing. You may think I am out of my mind, but I partly blame that on poor coaching as well. Both he and Timonen are asked to be spending too much time actually *away* from his own crease - something that is so counterintuitive - that half-way through the game they must be feeling exhausted. It's a really simple concept, actually, for this coach to overlook and not take into account. And I am not even mentioning the fact that if you have your d-men flapping all over the ice, your goalie (especially someone like Bryzgalov, who is incapable of making huge saves) is left completely unprotected and vulnerable. I really don’t have any other explanation for why Coburn, Carle and Meszaros, not to mentioned a seasoned, reliable shark like Timonen, can be caught out of position like they are a bunch of novices. They can’t really be *that* bad. Think of it this way. Look at how Bryzgalov and this year Mike Smith are playing in Dave Tippett’s system. As much as we kill Bryzgalov here, he’s gotta be better than what his game is showing. That Phoenix team is playing as flawless a defense as I’ve ever seen. They protect their crease like crazy. Smith has been pretty much a joke everywhere else he’s played before. I refuse to believe it’s a simple coincidence. With all that said, I am not going to disagree for even two seconds that our forwards have to do a better job. But let’s run down the roster. Other than Talbott (obviously) and perhaps Giroux, who do you expect to lock down and shut down the opposing forwards? Jagr, Briere, and Hartnell have always been offensive forwards. Couturier is trying, but he is still a rookie. Matt Read has already exceeded what has been expected out of him, but sooner or later he was expected to hit the wall. See, that’s the price this team should’ve been prepared to pay for not having Richards around anymore, or find a suitable replacement. And we no longer have Lappy or Blair Betts to provide that anchoring, calming presence when needed, to block shots or make a timely clear. Frankly, I don't see how this can change any time soon. I really think this GM (yes, let's finally place the blame where it belongs the most), oince again showed compelte short-sightedness and lack of plan when making all the summer moves. And this coach just doesn't instill much of confidence in me, to be honest, that he is capable of turning things around.

God this coach really starts getting on my nerves...