Ed Snider Q/A

[DaGreatGazoo]

Have at it, boys!

Flyers chairman Ed Snider attended a ceremony Saturday morning in which a Broad Street Bullies statue was unveiled across the parking lot from Wells Fargo Center outside XFinity Live. Afterward, Snider talked to reporters about the Flyers’ down season, general manager Paul Holmgren and head coach Peter Laviolette’s job security, the Ilya Bryzgalov signing and more. Here is his interview:

How exciting is it for you that the Broad Street Bullies statue has come to fruition?

“I’m really happy that it’s come to fruition. I wish that it had come at a happier time, but we scheduled it and we’ve done it and we’ve got great fans. It’s great to see them all here. They’re still behind us. That means an awful lot to the organization."

How much is this season bothering you?

“It’s been really tough. We came into the season with high expectations and it just seems like everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. But the good teams overcome that and we’ve got to find a way to regroup and I guarantee you we’ll be a heck of a lot better.”

You’ve resisted making big changes so far. Why?

“There’s no sense in showing desperation or making moves that you’re not sure of and we want to evaluate everything when the season’s over. It’s premature to even thing about it. We still have a slight chance for the playoffs. We haven’t given up. We’re realistic. We’re in a really tough spot. But we want to look at the whole thing when the season’s over.”

Do you anticipate a lot of changes after the season if the Flyers don’t make the playoffs?

“I’m not even thinking that far ahead. Like I said, We’re going to evaluate it after the season. Those kinds of decisions will be made by Paul Holmgren and his staff.”

What do you think has gone wrong this season? This is basically the same team as the one that finished fifth in the Eastern Conference a year ago.

“You know, I really don’t want to make excuses, but we had a very tough schedule to start off with and we got off on the wrong foot and never regrouped and overcame it. So why and how … I don’t like to make excuses. We are where we are because we deserve to be where we are.”

There have been quotes coming from the dressing room in which players are saying, ‘We weren’t ready, we weren’t prepared.’ Does that concern you?

“I think you’re talking to young players who are disappointed in their performance, and those are usually the kinds of quotes that you get when you lose.”

Do you look back on last summer and everything probably would have been different had you signed one of two defensemen, Ryan Suter or Shea Weber?

“Well, we were trying to overcome the loss of (Chris) Pronger. We don’t talk about that often, but Pronger … we gave up a lot to get him and he was a force for us. Not having him has really been rough. It would the same as Boston without (Zdeno) Chara. He was a force and we miss that. We know that our defense has struggled. We’ve had injuries. Meszaros was a solid defenseman for us and really hasn’t played much this year. Now we don’t have Grossmann. We don’t have Coburn. That’s actually four of our defensemen that would maybe would have been our top 4. That’s tough to overcome.

Do you think the Flyers current roster, if healthy, should be a playoff team, should be a Stanley Cup contender?

“Right now? If everyone’s healthy we certainly would play a lot better than we have been playing, but we want to get better and we really want to be a Stanley Cup contender. Last year we won the first round and then we were eliminated by Jersey. We’ve had trouble with New Jersey. They play a different style. We were going to address that in training camp and we didn’t have a training camp (due to the lockout). When you talk about New Jersey, they didn’t have to worry about addressing it because they’re playing the same style they always have. So there’s a lot of things that go into what we’ve tried to do and what we haven’t accomplished.”

Fans want to know what the Flyers will do this summer. Would it be accurate to say you’ll be very active?

“The team? Of course. We always are. We always try to improve no matter what level we’re at. Obviously, we’ve got a lot of work to do to get back to where we want to be.”

Ed, you were concerned about goaltenders two offseasons ago, then signed Ilya Bryzgalov to a $51 million contract. How do you think that has worked?

“I don’t think Bryzgalov has been the problem. I mean, he’s had to face so many breakaways and 2-on-1s where we turn over the puck suddenly. I think it’s the team. I think we’re fine in goal.”

When you say everything will be evaluated after the season, does that include the head coach and general manager?

“I’m going to sit down with the general manager and we’re going to evaluate everything and discuss everything. It’s Paul Holmgren’s call. He’s the general manager. I don’t tell him what to do. If I had to tell him what to do, then I should be general manager.

Paul Holmgren’s job is safe?

“Of course.

Is Peter Laviolette safe?

“I don’t want to talk about anything about when the season ends, who’s safe and who isn’t safe. These are decisions Paul Holmgren is going to have to make, not me.”

When you did realize this team was in trouble?

“You always hope that you’re going to get it together, but look at our record. We haven’t won one game where we were behind 1-0 after the first period or something like that. We haven’t had more than a two-game winning streak all year. I mean, it’s been a disappointment the entire season. Let’s hope that we can change it suddenly and some miracle will happen and we win all the remaining games. I’m not giving up. But you have to be realistic and look at what we’ve accomplished so far. We have to do an awful lot to change that pattern.”

Edited March 30, 2013 by hf101
fixed spacing

[murraycraven]

Well... he said nothing earth shattering. Kind of disappointing but so is this team....

[sekkes85]

Kind of interesting how he responds to Homer's job being safe but then completely avoids the question about Lavy. I get that Homer makes the decision but he's got more input on these kind of things than most owners.

[brelic]

Well that was really disappointing. Homer is not going anywhere, even though he's responsible for this mess (though it sounds like Snider's also very responsible for this mess).

[BearOnIce]

Kind of interesting how he responds to Homer's job being safe but then completely avoids the question about Lavy. I get that Homer makes the decision but he's got more input on these kind of things than most owners.

Laviolette will have one more year. If not more. He was handed a short stick this year and Holmgren and Snider know it. This is an organization that will not throw a guy like Laviolette under the bus for this year when they, Snider and Holmgren, know they are fully responsible for this mess. And Bryz haters, he will be back too.

[BearOnIce]

Well... he said nothing earth shattering. Kind of disappointing but so is this team....

What he did not say was that he was getting him pen ready to write some checks. Holmgren is salivating to make the D moves.

My bet who is gone - Rusty, Foster, Lilja, Gus, Mez, B Schenn, Gervais, Harry Z.. Surprisingly Gagne, Knuble return.. Briere is bought out...

[toughfighter83]

Kind of interesting how he responds to Homer's job being safe but then completely avoids the question about Lavy. I get that Homer makes the decision but he's got more input on these kind of things than most owners.

do you really think he's going to say that homer is going to be fired or lav for that matter?

[sekkes85]

do you really think he's going to say that homer is going to be fired or lav for that matter?

Not at all, but I find it interesting that he gives an answer for Homer's position and not for Lavy's. I would expect he either says both jobs are safe or say he doesn't want to talk about it for both. Just strange that he was to the point on one question but not the other.

[murraycraven]

Bear... I hope you are right about Briere!

[toughfighter83]

Not at all, but I find it interesting that he gives an answer for Homer's position and not for Lavy's. I would expect he either says both jobs are safe or say he doesn't want to talk about it for both. Just strange that he was to the point on one question but not the other.

that's true but i think homer is still on the bubble because he's the one that still wants lav here and the way it sounds, if homer goes, lav goes because he even said, “I’m going to sit down with the general manager and we’re going to evaluate everything and discuss everything. It’s Paul Holmgren’s call. He’s the general manager. I don’t tell him what to do. If I had to tell him what to do, then I should be general manager.

that doesnt sound like a vote of confidence for the gm either, snider doesnt usually say if i had to tell him what to do, then i should be general manager.

bottom line homer is safe for now but i think it depends on if homer is a making a coaching change or not, that's what i believe he meant.

if he fired the gm now then the coach is gets fired as well, i think snider wants to give homer a chance, if he's willing to make that change, if not, homer is fired, snider doesnt want lav here.

Edited March 30, 2013 by toughfighter83

[jammer2]

What he did not say was that he was getting him pen ready to write some checks. Holmgren is salivating to make the D moves.

My bet who is gone - Rusty, Foster, Lilja, Gus, Mez, B Schenn, Gervais, Harry Z.. Surprisingly Gagne, Knuble return.. Briere is bought out...

I'd be surprised if Knuble comes back, he's been a healthy scratch for most of March. Gagne, time to move on, although I respect the hell outta the guy, can't let emotional attachment stop us from making the right moves. Rusty,.....gone. I don't see Mez being gone unless he gets dealt at the draft or over the summer, which is possible. Off your list, I'd say Harry.Z comes back, he's filled the energy role nicely when he's called upon (which is not often enough for my liking).....ditto for Gus, we have not really given Gus a fair shake, all these useless scrubs playing in front of him, what a waste. Gus should be playing out the rest of the year to see what we have...same for Oliver.

[doom88]

Lavy is kind of pissing me off. Heart guys like Rinaldo are earning their ice time, reward them. Unleash the beast!

[BearOnIce]

I'd be surprised if Knuble comes back, he's been a healthy scratch for most of March. Gagne, time to move on, although I respect the hell outta the guy, can't let emotional attachment stop us from making the right moves. Rusty,.....gone. I don't see Mez being gone unless he gets dealt at the draft or over the summer, which is possible. Off your list, I'd say Harry.Z comes back, he's filled the energy role nicely when he's called upon (which is not often enough for my liking).....ditto for Gus, we have not really given Gus a fair shake, all these useless scrubs playing in front of him, what a waste. Gus should be playing out the rest of the year to see what we have...same for Oliver.

Probably agree that Gus and Oli Poly play out big minutes through the end of the year to see what we got. Mez too injury prone to build a D with him in it. I see him as a nice fit for say Florida. Harry Z can be trade bate. Iron Mike, maybe not but i sure like his presence in front of the net. Gave Boston fits today. Gagne still has some play making but limited time on a 3rd line at best. Brier is out of here, his choice of location.

[BearOnIce]

Well... he said nothing earth shattering. Kind of disappointing but so is this team....

I was looking at Snider's eyes when Comcast played the interview after the game. The Philadelphia Flyers sports media are basic classless low-life jerks that have cheesesteaks up their xsses, with no respect for a man like Snider. They should be slapped along the side of the head a few times and told to sit down and shutup. T. Pinochio is a perfect example. If you looked in Snider's eyes during the interview, you could see that this was a man not only dissappointed in his team, but very irritated, pissed and who wanted next year to start tomorrow. Watch out. When Ed is pissed changes happen and he spends. I have been a vocal critic of Snider many times myself but this guy even at his age is driven to win like no other owner I have ever seen. All of the other owners not only of Philadelphia teams, but all sports teams would be well served to learn from Snider's determination and passion. Holmgren is safe and I think he will keep Laviolette at least another year because of the lousy deck he was dealt this year with failed trades and injuries and all. Expect Snider to go all out starting this week.

[jammer2]

Probably agree that Gus and Oli Poly play out big minutes through the end of the year to see what we got. Mez too injury prone to build a D with him in it. I see him as a nice fit for say Florida. Harry Z can be trade bate. Iron Mike, maybe not but i sure like his presence in front of the net. Gave Boston fits today. Gagne still has some play making but limited time on a 3rd line at best. Brier is out of here, his choice of location.

Tallon's real smart GM, no way does he take our injured hand me downs.

[AlaskaFlyerFan]

I'd be surprised if Knuble comes back, he's been a healthy scratch for most of March. Gagne, time to move on, although I respect the hell outta the guy, can't let emotional attachment stop us from making the right moves. Rusty,.....gone. I don't see Mez being gone unless he gets dealt at the draft or over the summer, which is possible. Off your list, I'd say Harry.Z comes back, he's filled the energy role nicely when he's called upon (which is not often enough for my liking).....ditto for Gus, we have not really given Gus a fair shake, all these useless scrubs playing in front of him, what a waste. Gus should be playing out the rest of the year to see what we have...same for Oliver.

@jammer2,

Have to agree with you. Looking at Capgeek, The GM will have $14mm to improve the team, assuming thet Briere and Bryz are bought out. That will be 17 players under contract and 4 RFAs. About $3mm to qualify the RFAs and you have $11mm remaining to sign (or pick up their salary after a trade) 2 goaltenders to fill out the 23 man roster.

That sounds good right now. But that doesn't improve the team except (hopefully) the goalie position. I have a gut feeling that it won't play out that way though.

Edited March 31, 2013 by AlaskaFlyerFan

[ruxpin]

@jammer2,

Have to agree with you. Looking at Capgeek, The GM will have $14mm to improve the team, assuming thet Briere and Bryz are bought out. That will be 17 players under contract and 4 RFAs. About $3mm to qualify the RFAs and you have $11mm remaining to sign (or pick up their salary after a trade) 2 goaltenders to fill out the 23 man roster.

That sounds good right now. But that doesn't improve the team except (hopefully) the goalie position. I have a gut feeling that it won't play out that way though.

Two goaltenders? That's a lot to spend on goaltending since they'll still have Bryzgalov. He's not going anywhere. Book it.

[doom88]

Two goaltenders? That's a lot to spend on goaltending since they'll still have Bryzgalov. He's not going anywhere. Book it.

I agree unfortunately. Snider wants to see Bryz with a top ten defense in front of him. So best case, Homer can't buy him out until summer 2014, penalty free thankfully.

[jammer2]

I agree unfortunately. Snider wants to see Bryz with a top ten defense in front of him. So best case, Homer can't buy him out until summer 2014, penalty free thankfully.

Good. Another lottery pick coming up!!

[terp]

I agree unfortunately. Snider wants to see Bryz with a top ten defense in front of him. So best case, Homer can't buy him out until summer 2014, penalty free thankfully.

It seems likely to me that he'll be back because Snider just won't eat that much crow. But sane people everywhere will ask why Snider won't cut him lose. The best thing Snider or anyone else can say about him is "he's not the problem". Not: "he's been solid" or even "he's played ok"; he's "not the problem". Talk about damning someone with faint praise. But still, he'll probably keep him around when he should be blowing up the team. Go figure.

[toughfighter83]

just because snider said that homer is safe doesnt mean he wont fire him, the way he was talking he was trying to dismiss the questions about the gm and coaching because he did said i dont want to get into who's staying or going or something like that, he was still talking before the media was asking questions if anyone bothered to watch the video feed of his interview and he wasnt happy or confident about both of them, like he said it's pointless to make changes now.

[radoran]

Two goaltenders? That's a lot to spend on goaltending since they'll still have Bryzgalov. He's not going anywhere. Book it.

They don't "need" to buy either of them out before next season. At that point, the market for a Briere with one year left has value at the deadline - or in a pre-FA period trade for negotiating rights.

They almost certainly are looking at this as a Series of Unfortunate Events season.

[DaGreatGazoo]

Based on Al Davis, err...Ed Snider's comments, I am pretty sure Bryz will not be bought out after this year. Give him one more year, and if he ****s the bed(when), he's gone. In addition, the UFA class is better after next season, Kimmo will be gone, Bryz buyout, and Meszaros will be up...that's a potential of $15 million there. Probably some tweaks in the offseason, get a solid draft pick or 10, let the kids develop, and take a big swing again the following summer.