Updates on Pronger, Jagr, Bryz et al
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Updates on Pronger, Jagr, Bryz et al
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Flyers cleared out their lockers in Voorhees on Thursday, and there were many newsy items that were learned.
Here are some of them:
** Jaromir Jagr was given several chances to say he wanted to return to the Flyers. He did not bite. It appears he will test the FA market.
** GM Paul Holmgren expects to re-sign defenseman Matt Carle, a potential free agent, at a below-market price.
** Ilya Bryzgalov, with a year of playing in Philly behind him, will be a much better goalie next season, Holmgren said. In a good-natured tone, Holmgren said Bryzgalov’s duties weren’t performing for “Comedy Central” but stopping the puck.
** Holmgren said Chris Pronger is "the same," meaning he still has concussion symptoms. The GM added he was a "glass half-full" guy and still believed Pronger would play next season. Out of respect to Pronger, he will not even think about naming a new captain (Claude Giroux appears to be the leading candidate) at this point.
** Holmgren said he would have injury updates later tonight. Speculation is that Kimmo Timonen, Nick Grossmann and JVR will need surgery.
** By the GM's estimate, the cap will rise from $64.3 million to around $69 million.
** Holmgren said he hopes Mike Richards and Jeff Carter win the Cup with the Kings, but that he was happy with the deals and would "do them again."
** Timonen, 37, will return next year, and perhaps beyond next season, Holmgren said.
** Coach Peter Laviolette said center Sean Couturier, coming off an impressive rookie year, could get more playing time next season and work his way onto a power-play unit.
It is hardto find a stud D_MAN in thisleague who won't cost an arm and leg to get and then a huge contract too! Suter is an intersting guy would look good as a FLYER but if we are going to spend huge money on a D-MAN than go after Weber he is in that Pronger type mold plays the game with a nasty edge! and he can shot onthe power play andI believe he is also right handed which we need on our team. To get him it will cost us most likely JVR and maybe another player or two. as long as it isn't Guss, Schenn, Couts or Wellwood I would really think about making a move for Weber. Just my opinion here just like everyone here we will have to wait to see what Hommer does next.— srcdaddy1216- No way we resign Carle....maybe for $250k per year. He's a turnover machine and needs to be gone. He's awful. I'd like to see JVR get dealt too....he's a waste of a #2 overall pick. He's lazy and flat out a BUST! Anyone that wants Timmonen gone knows nothing about hockey. He's our best defenseman, by a wide margin!— Tar Heel 1
- as much as I hate that we are stuck w/ Bryz for 8 more years, you can't blame Holmgren for that. That was 100% from Snyder. Although Richards and Carter have found success in LA (not in Columbus), I would definitely make those trades over again...they were VERY good deals for the Flyers.— Tar Heel 1
- Flyers got beat by the Devils pressure system. Lavy never adjusted. He needs to take significant responsibility here. Look at the Florida tape.— Jnico
What the Flyers should do first is hire a better Goaltending Coach.- Kimmo is serviceable in a 3rd pair. They need another front-line defenseman to go along w/ 5,8,41.— brio
- The Bryz haters clearly did not watch the series closely. He was playing well. I think he can play even better if he gets hot. If we played D like in 2010, we would be walking away with the Cup... I think the Flyers need to clearly boost the forechecking, get a goal scorer and a great defenseman....with the Cap, i say get one of those pieces in the draft...and they need to keep what they have...minus Jager and with the cap space left over..add a Star...this team is very close to being very dominant...you can see it...they also need to find a way to stay healthy...injuries plagued the entire year...great season...bad series against the Devils...we will be better next year...hopefully Prongs comes back at the end of the season next year...boy it would be nice to have him back there...— feudal_nobility09
- Why anyone would rip Holmgren is beyond me. The team he has put together is remarkable. They are young fun and full of promise. They accomplish much more this year than most thought was possible and have a really bright future. Conversely, the Phillies have aging stars and when they go to rebuild we will be saddled with 10 years of bad teams. Congrats Flyers and Congrats Holmgren.— LGbalsac
- First Union Center Circa June 2011:
Bullhead Ed: We must get that goalie from Phoenix.
Homer: But it's a well known secret that he is a total head case.
Bullhead Ed: I'm tired of that (bleep) Milbury making fun of our orgi ni zation
Homer: But the guy wilts under pressure.
Bullhead Ed: I'm ED SNYDER DAMMIT! Get him or your a gonner homer.— jking91 - All you fans that are crying need to stop it. Holmgren did a great job. I agree. I hope Richards and Carter win the cup in LA. It doesn't effect my opinion of the trade. Lets face it, Kings are so successful because of their captain Brown and Quick the goalie. Richards and Carter are second unit guys. Good players, but I would still make the deals we made again as well.— ChrisM
- Is it possible for Bryzgalov to be worse next year? Probably it's impossible. He was worse than my dog this year. My dog can catch any ball thrown his way. Really, I'd suggest signing my dog as goalie next year. We'd win the cup. He comes cheap!— 4thand10
- some of you guys are real idiots! Holmgren is doing a great job especially compared to when Clarke was running the show, I will give you the Ilya deal was a big mistake but everyone seemed to think Ilya was THE goalie to get (not sure how everyone missed him being a head case though!).— connorjr
- I really wouldn't even want to sign Jagr. I'd rather use the cap space to sign Suter. Jagr disappeared in the playoffs and I can't imagine him getting better at his advanced age. This team had a sneaky good rebuilding year. Let the team grow together and add more young good pieces to secure a bright future. I'd rather have Suter, Meszaros, Coburn, Timonen, Grossman and Gus on the blueline, than sign Jagr and Carle to contracts above their value which would preclude better signings. It's weird that we had to sign Shelly and Lilja to the length they are signed for; horrible and unnecessary deals by Holmgren. Also, I would let Hartnell and Timonen play out their contracts and then let them walk.
Go with a nucleus of forwards that include: Giroux, JVR, Schenn, Talbot, Couturier, Voracek, Simmonds, Briere, Read, Wellwood.
Pray for an amnesty clause to drop Bryz.— dsh129 - Carle: 82 games, 4 goals, 34 assists, 38 points, and a +4, 2nd amongst flyers D men in points. Why the HECK would you not resign him? Are you all that oblivious to the fact he carries this team in points (minus kimmo) defensively? You people see his flaws, not the small smart plays he makes throughout the game. Learn hockey and then you'll have room to talk.— hockeyguy144
