CoachX

If a Flyer had got hit in the same situation, I for one would not have said it was unecessary. I might have hated it. I would have been pissed. I would've wanted a Flyer to go kick in someone's teeth. But I would not have said "unnecessary" Putting aside what we already discussed, you made another statement I disagree with. You said it isn't needed in today's game. I think todays game is boring and lackluster compared to the last three decades. This game used to have fire, explosion and intrigue. It matched skill, power and intensity that was unequaled in other sports. I wil argue to the end that putting in rules to make this game more pleasing to casual fans has been a huge mistake. They need to take out the instigator, allow more of the rough stuff and stop being pansies. Liek the other poster said, Washington didn't stop skating or trying to score, the Flyers shouldn't stop playing or hitting just because some want it to be kindler and gentler

I hear he is good with a mop and plays a terrific towel boy

I don' think they are even remotely connected. What does one have to do with the other? If I was GM, I would be trying to move Kimmo and Danny and get some good return for them. Then assuming I have another goalie option to go after, buy out Bryz. Yes I would be essentially packing it in and rebuilding. However, since that isn't happening, and you have to play the games, YOU PLAY TO WIN. Since they aren't out of the playoffs yet, you have to assume you have a chance. The Flyers and Caps have hated each other forever and earlier int eh season, one of theirs "cheaped" one of ours. So, you have a chance late in the game to deliver a hard hit, you take it. Its not like he boarded the guy with his elbows up

So is elbowing a guy in the face, but that didn't stop erskine. i doubt the Flyers are convinced they are out of the playoffs yet. It was a clean hockey hit.

I was hoping Sestito would fight Shelly and they would both end up on LTIR.

you have to play the Caps to advance in the playoffs. You tak any chance you can to inflict damage and sieze advantage

I got ya... I won't be disappointed. I'm just saying I think they need to push this scenario. I think Briere would take it and holds some value to get return for him. Boston and teams like that will be willing to add a player of Briere's ilk. Homer needs to squeeze them, and Briere

Not a hit that needed to be made? What kind of logic is that? You get a chance to hit a guy you do it. You don't think to yourself, "Hmmm, should I just let this one go?" Harry is fighting for a place on this team. Playing hard horn to horn and taking the body will help that out. If it had been illegal or something that deserved a penalty, okay with the criticism. But in this case it was a good open ice hit. And considering that Erskine never had to own to the hit on Simmonds, I am totally okay with any player on the Caps getting thundered

They had been talking all night about how they expected this game to be a "powderkeg", and that the league put the best officials out there to keep it under control. I think the anticipation of something happening skewed the perception of what really did. I don't know where the penalty was and it looked like a good hit to me

So lets assume they go to Briere and ask him to waive his clause. Instead of accepting a trade to a contender, he counters back with..... I've been great in the playoffs, I've been great in the community, and I am a great locker room guy. On top of that I have been a great mentor, therefore I don't want to be traded? That sounds like a compelling argument of why you personally want him to stay, but that does not sound like his best interest. Now, if he counters with, "I want to keep my family in Philly and finish my career here", I see that as best interests. Assuming briere is good at business, he has to be aware of his market value. Right now he can use his playoff value as a chip to get traded to a contending team. If he accepted a trade, and had his usual playoff production, he could use that to springboard negotiating at a new contract. As it stands, he is slated to make 3 mil next season and 2 mil the following. By not accepting a trade, he could end up not being in the playoffs and bought out at seasons end. The market for him would be weaker and he would be shopping for a team coming off a shortened season and reduced production on his part. The only way your scenario is in his best interest, is if the Flyers run deep into the playoffs, he produces, and the team keeps him for the remainder of his contract. Good luck with that!

Can you elborate..... what do you mean the incentive is there to refuse it? Why would you want to stay where you aren't wanted, playing for a team that is essentially throwing in the towel?

i know they have to ask him. I was under the impression that he may have been asked and was refusing. How do you know they haven't? I see it like this, you go to Briere and tell him the team is moving in a different direction and he is not part of their future plans. You say we want to move you to a contending team so you can have a shot at a good playoff run. Thanks you for all your service, will you waive your clause? Why would he refuse? If he does, screw him! Buy him out and let him go. You still get what you want, he is gone, and he gets to miss out on a chance for the cup this year. its in his best interest to agree

At that point I wouldnt care about how it is for Briere. My only concern would be to rid myslef of his contract. Good luck. good bye

If Briere is unwilling to move his NMC, like speculation is saying, then I would definitely buy him out. Serves him right

the one in the picture? That's nothing...you should see when i strap on an AR15 and swat helmet

that's cause no one hit him in the head. The guy is one shot away from wearing a helmet the rest of his life

There is nothing in this world that makes me happier, or makes more sense than bringing in an ex-flyer so you can ship another one out. I think they should hire Hatcher as GM to replace Homer, and make Pronger head coach. As a side note.... I am hearing that BC is posturing to buy the Flyers from Ed

Wow...lets sign forsberg won't this crap ever stop? what the hell do they need Gagne for?

i see no reason to bring my personal life into this .... however, putting aside the fact that my feelings would be hurt if I had any, I laughed like hell at your porsche comment

when i used the term "gutting" the roster, I meant getting rid of the veterans that comprised the last "core". Timmonen, Hartnell, Briere are three names with big contracts that have been around for awhile. You move what you can of the old look, and focus solely on a new look. I would even consider goinig outside to bring in a new GM. I like Homer but its time for a change in the right direction. Bryz has only been around two seasons, so he isn't part of that culture, but he was brought in as a long term solution. Scrap that idea now, and find a new direction. When the NMC wer put into place it was at a time when the team looked differently and the organization had different needs. Timmonen has stated next season will be his last. Briere probably has a few good years left. I honestly believe that if the organization approached them and said they were not part of the future, and we are looking to rebuild, they would be amenable to a move that gave them a chance to compete for a cup. As long aas the franchise stills thinks they are building a contender, these guys will hang on to the NMC. I think history has shown the Flyers what happens when they trade a young player too soon. Two seasons ago JVR had a great playoffs. Then he bombed. Now he is in toronto, two goals off the league lead. I hope they learned thier lesson and choose not to part with any of the young guys they have now.

I really think its time to gut the roster, start new, and change the paradigm (think outside the box). Help me out here guys, I'm sure I'm not thinking all this through, and making mistakes out of sheer ignorance. 1) Trade Briere to a contender for whatever meager return you can get. Take a pick or prospect, but make sure its cheap. Reward Briere with a chance to compete for a cup and rid yourself of salary. I think its in the 6 mil range. 2) At season's end buy out Bryzgalov. He aint it! Move on and be done with this. Save salary again. I don't know how the buy out works, so I'm not sure if they would clear his entire slary next season. (6 mil again?) 3) I would approach Kimmo and tell him we are going in another direction and offer to trade him to a contender (see Briere above). He is under contract so he will get paid next season and the Flyers have freed up another 6 mil. In fact, I think this option has already occured to the Flyers, and may be the other reason they signed him a few weeks ago. A player under contract has more security not having to negotiate with the team he is traded to. Assuming all this happened, I would free up around 12-18 million, on top of whatever they already have, to go sign younger free agents and increase their chances in the upcoming draft. Fire away!

I also don't get the Schenn v. Schenn statement.... anyway, you are right Bryz has been rocky. 16 goals in the last five games, with an .868 save percentage. He looks like he is going south while the offense might be headed north. Let's face it, the guy is a rebound making machine. The Flyers have to come out early with a strong push and set the tone. However, I have a bad feeling. The Leafs have been our whipping boys of late and with some changes up there, the play us with a seething chip on thier shoulder. I don't like the look of this one and i think it will end bad.

Bryz has been amazing? I sense that is an emotional opinion. In the last five games he has given up 16 goals with an .868 save percentage, and you have to take into account one of those games was a shutout against an Islanders team that really sucked that day.

you can't build defense without a solid net minder

I think this is an excellent "game within the game" strategy. In addition to being damn effective, I think it will also regenrate fan energy in the stands, and at home watching