Flyers Acquire Negotiating Rights to Ilya Bryzgalov

Egads?

He’s a good goalie, but I’m not going to be worried until he signs with them. I’m not sure they’ll be able to afford him and fill out their roster.

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by blackjackfishtaco on Jun 7, 2011 10:06 PM EDT reply actions

I would think that they’d have to move a guy like Carle or Coburn to clear up the cap space.

But they do have Zherdev and Carcillo as expiring contracts and could always bury Leighton and/or Boucher in the minors to clear up more room.

As always, we’ll see.

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by Hooks Orpik on Jun 7, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m new to CapGeek, but it says the Flyers have 5 spots to fill and only ~$400,000 in cap space to do it for next season. It looks like they will need to get rid of a skater or two.

"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto

by blackjackfishtaco on Jun 7, 2011 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m reading 18 players—10F, 6D, 2G. So that’s 2 spots to fill. Can’t remember what’s up with Lappy, but if he hasn’t retired, they’ll LTIR him and open up enough space for two more players, and Leighton will be in the AHL, I think, for another two players.

Don’t see where Bryz fits. But if they sign him and trade Coburn to the Caps for, I dunno, Varly, I’d be cool with that.

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by red army line on Jun 8, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Bryz and Bob would be enough Russian goalies.

I’d think Versteeg might be a luxury item for them now, and at $3m an expensive one at that.

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by Hooks Orpik on Jun 8, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Might be another winger for Crosby there. He’s a good two-way player.

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by red army line on Jun 8, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I’d love that, but there’s no way the Flyers trade a good player to their rival, plus I’m not sure if we’d have the cap space even.

by Will87 on Jun 8, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

The Pens and Flyers trade frequently. You may have a point that they wouldn’t want to trade with a rival, but I think if Pittsburgh would offer something that would make their team better (and make the Pens worse) why wouldn’t Philly accept it?

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by Hooks Orpik on Jun 8, 2011 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the price would be too rich for the Pens blood. Philly had to give up a 1 and a 3 for Versteeg, right? I’d imagine they’d want at least to recoup that 1st round pick, and I doubt Shero would surrender that.

Cap issues also abide. For $3 million the Pens might be able to keep Rupp + Dupuis. (Or Adams+Kennedy or any other combination). For Pittsburgh the depth is probably more important than 1 player.

But I do agree that Versteeg is a fine young player. Would be a perfect fit on the ice, if not for the other factors of dealing with a rival and the salary cap.

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by Hooks Orpik on Jun 8, 2011 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

and he’s a loser >:(

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by Leafer87 on Jun 9, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

you don’t want Versteeg. He’s an annoying little jerk and by the time you’re a few games in with him you’ll want to punch him in the face. Likely right where his stupid mouth guard is hanging out of his mouth.

by leaflover4ever on Jun 9, 2011 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions

and that car, ugh. And his rapping. And his Flyerdom.

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by Leafer87 on Jun 9, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

and his (suspected) bullying of Phil.

by leaflover4ever on Jun 9, 2011 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

mhm yeah, he’s an alleged lockerroom cancer. BEWARE EVERYONE

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by Leafer87 on Jun 9, 2011 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

useless jerk, I hate him.

by leaflover4ever on Jun 9, 2011 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Likely right where his stupid mouth guard is hanging out of his mouth.

Staal does that all the time, and no one really cares.

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by wg1of5 on Jun 10, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Staal’s not an arrogant annoying jerk who thinks he can rap.

by leaflover4ever on Jun 10, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

hey, Staal’s awesome

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by Leafer87 on Jun 10, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

you don’t want Versteeg. He’s an annoying little jerk and by the time you’re a few games in with him you’ll want to punch him in the face. Likely right where his stupid mouth guard is hanging out of his mouth.

by leaflover4ever on Jun 9, 2011 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions

oops, double post.
not a bad thing, this is an important message. you SHOULD read it twice.

by leaflover4ever on Jun 9, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

and that car, ugh. And his rapping. And his Flyerdom.

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by Leafer87 on Jun 9, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

They have the cap space at $430,845 and the $/Opening at $86,169. To me, that means they have 5 spots to fill. Again, this is my first time even looking at it, so I might be interpreting it completely wrong.

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-Roberto

by blackjackfishtaco on Jun 8, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I think they’re operating under the 23-man assumption, then. You theoretically only need 20, and until someone gets hurt I could see Philly going with a 20-man roster.

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by red army line on Jun 8, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

The Flyers could be great this year then. This will put their goaltending woes to rest assuming Breezy plays like he can.

Great move by Philly.

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by GiuseppeD on Jun 7, 2011 11:24 PM EDT reply actions

I like the aggression. Holmgren and Shero have proven to be among the most aggressive GM’s to get expiring guys to see if they could sign- to at least find out for future plans.

If Bryz actually signs it’s one thing, but the fact they have 23 days to hammer something out gives them time.

I still think he could play up the “I can go to the KHL” card and hopefully drive the price up to $5+ million so that hopefully Philly would have to trade one of their skaters in order to fit it all. Remains to be seen though.

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by Hooks Orpik on Jun 7, 2011 11:37 PM EDT reply actions

I would be surprised if they didn't sign him...

they gave up a lot(granted the 1st rounder will probably be a low draft pick), but still.. a 1st rounder PLUS for the rights to sign a guy to a contract. Pretty sure they aren’t going into this wondering where they are going to get the 4+ million a year to sign him. I would guess he signs pretty quick.

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by Stros Bro on Jun 8, 2011 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Two Thoughts

First thought:
Although Byrzgalov is an awesome goalie, he hasn’t proved to be clutch in the playoffs and the pens haven’t had too much trouble scoring on him in the past (refer to the home game against the coyotes this year), that being said he is still a major upgrade over anyone they’ve had in a while assuming they sign him.

Second thought:
I think if he does get signed, the Pens are going to have to make a move themselves to keep up the pace, whether it’s signing better winger for Crosby (Jokinen) or trading Martin + to pick up another offensive talent. Either way this should be a good off-season.

by Will87 on Jun 8, 2011 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

Bryzgalov is a good goaltender, but not elite. He has got to improve his top glove side as it is almost a guarantee if you can get the puck there it will go in the net. Just ask Detroit about figuring that one out. I am interested to see if/how Philly can fit him in under the cap but I am sure it could be done if both sides are willing.

by xaryss on Jun 8, 2011 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

He has got to improve his top glove side as it is almost a guarantee if you can get the puck there it will go in the net.

You can’t have numbers like Bryzgalov if he’s so easy to beat. Quite honestly, that’s the book on every butterfly goalie, since they go down (shoot up!).

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by red army line on Jun 8, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

While I agree, it just seems even more obvious with him than other goalies. It just seems like he doesn’t do a great job covering that area compared to other butterfly goalies. I agree though, the numbers show that he is not getting beat all the time with that type of shot.

by xaryss on Jun 8, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

For him being out West I haven’t watched Bryz all that much — but it seems like when he’s “on” he’s really on (as 15 shutouts in the past two years show). But when he’s “off” he’s really off, like the Detroit playoff series would indicate.

I might be inclined to give him a break, Datsyuk was making magic out there skating through the whole Coyote team and Phoenix seemed pretty outmatched this year all around. Doubt many goalies would do much better.

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by Hooks Orpik on Jun 8, 2011 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry but Martin isn’t going anywhere fast, only defenseman the Pens will move would be Niskanen or Lovejoy. They have a solid top 4 signed for a while and theres no need to mess with it

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by TonyAndrock on Jun 8, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Right. Martin stays.

I think they would look to move Niskanen and his $1.5 million salary if possible, but I don’t know how much interest league-wide there’d be for him right now.

An uneven playoff series aside, Lovejoy made a lot of strides in the second half of last year. He’s at a bargain basement price, so I don’t think it makes a lot of sense to deal him. He’s an ideal 6/7 defenseman and at near league minimum he has the upside to improve slightly as he continues to get NHL experience.

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by Hooks Orpik on Jun 8, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Texted a Flyers fan I play NHL11 OTP with when I say the story… his take was Leino won’t be back and the consensus is some trades are coming, possibly Jeff Carter. Or in his words, “hopefully” Carter.

by King Oskar on Jun 8, 2011 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

Or maybe when I saw the story… skipping coffee this morning was not a good idea.

by King Oskar on Jun 8, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Or in his words, "hopefully" Carter.

I think he’s going to end up regretting that if it happens. To me adding Bryz and subtracting Carter is not necessarily an upgrade…especially since they already have a promising goalie that held his own this year. It was interesting to read the comments on the flyers page. I think main concern for them is how he’s going to perform in the playoffs…. this year he was bad. I don’t know what previous numbers look like…but i’m assuming not great.

by AronV on Jun 9, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Didn’t Carter just sign an 11 year deal? Who’d take that?

by SlayerGhaleon on Jun 12, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

The only piece missing from the Flyers was goaltending. Offense and defense is pretty solid.

The things missing in Phoenix were offense and defense. Goaltending with Bryzgalov was the only piece that was pretty solid.

If this does go down it’s a perfect match for the Flyers. But for anyone else in the league it’s like watching a satanic wedding.

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by FrankD on Jun 8, 2011 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

I may be into borderline spamming now on this FanShot, but signing Bryz means dumping a rather expensive player. Briere, Richards, Pronger, Giroux, JVR, and, I bet, Carter are not going anywhere, which means they’ll be losing one or more of Carle, Coburn, Meszaros, Timonen, and JVR will be gone. Solidifying their goaltending (whose weakness I think is often blown well out of proportion) means weakening their depth at other positions.

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by red army line on Jun 8, 2011 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Solidifying their goaltending (whose weakness I think is often blown well out of proportion) means weakening their depth at other positions.

Seems that way. Ordinarily I’d say that’s a risk worth taking for them, but Chris Pronger aint getting any younger and any type of back issues or surgery for a hockey player scares me big time. 99.9% of veteran defenseman seemingly hit a wall and then drop off rather quickly. If Pronger can’t rebound to all-world status, Philly could be a lot weaker defensively if they deal a Carle or Coburn away.

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by Hooks Orpik on Jun 8, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions