Briere returning; JVR speaks
After missing six games because of a concussion, Flyers center Danny Briere will return to the lineup Tuesday against the visiting Islanders.
Briere returning; JVR speaks
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Danny Briere has missed the last six games after suffering a concussion. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
After missing six games because of a concussion, Flyers center Danny Briere will return to the lineup Tuesday against the visiting Islanders.
Winger James van Riemsdyk spoke Tuesday for the first time since suffering a concussion and said he is still dealing with headaches.
Ilya Bryzgalov (19-11-5, 2.86 GAA, .899 save percentage) will start against the Isles, who will go with Evgeni Nabokov (11-12, 2.31, .920).
Briere, who has 13 goals and 17 assists, suffered a concussion Jan. 21 during a 4-1 win in New Jersey.
“Hopefully I can provide a little spark,” Briere said after taking part in Tuesday’s morning skate. “It’s been a little tough since the break, especially at home. I don’t like our record at home; it’s something we want to improve. Hopefully, I can come in and help in that department.”
Overall, the Flyers are 12-8-4 at home.
Briere, 34, said the decision to return was “all up to me” and that he cleared a baseline test last week. The decision was made after he woke up without any symptoms following a practice Monday in which he absorbed contact.
“It’s good to get Danny back in the lineup because it adds more depth and balance to our attack up front,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “It makes it a little more difficult (for opponents) to focus on one player or one line.”
As for van Riemsdyk, he said he was making small strides in his recovery.
“Some days are better than others, but not the way I want to feel,” van Riemsdyk said. “I’m just trying to take it day by day, and that’s really all I can do.”
Like Briere a couple weeks ago, van Riemsdyk said there have been days when he has felt in a fog.
“It’s definitely one of those things where you have to stay in the moment, stay positive and let the body heal itself up.”
He said he didn’t talk to the media until Tuesday because his symptoms were changing daily. The left winger said he didn’t want to “place expectations on when I want to be back. I just want to heal and be good” to go.
Added JVR: "I guess if I do look at now vs. when I first started (rehabbing), I do feel a little bit better, so that's obviously encouraging, but it's been a slow process. Hopefully, it starts to progress."
* * *
Here is how the lines may look tonight:
Hartnell-Giroux-Jagr; Read-Briere-Voracek; Talbot-Schenn-Simmonds; Sestito-Couturier-Rinaldo.
* * *
Breakaways. Milan Jurcina, one of the Isles' top-hitting defensemen, will miss the game with a lacerated elbow.....The Isles are 10-11-3 on the road, including a 4-1 win over the Flyers last month.
Comments (39)
welcome back danny. hoping you jump right back in. we need your veteran leadership and crafty goal scoring desperately.— The Boston Strangler- The good thing for JVR is at least he is skating, could really use him at this point. Kind of gives you an insight on how this club would look without him say a trade for him and Schenn. On that note, I watched the Toronto game last night and I didnt see anything to eye popping from Luke Schenn. Looks like a solid kid who needs some work so I think if Burke wanted JVR Flyers would need Schenn and a prospect back. Definately wouldnt do a straight up trade.— shanehockey28
- How many more games does Bryz have to cost us before we decide to let Bob carry the team?— philharmonic55
- and how many times does Bob falter before we decide Bob can't carry the team either?— potus
Bob is no better and probably even a bit worse than Bryz against good teams. The goaltending is very bad given what this team pays for it, but the defensive breakdowns/turnovers and failure to hold the blueline and clear the crease are what's killing this team. Teams aren't paying a physical price for gaining the Flyers' blueline, and until that changes, the result won't, and the goaltenders are going to keep getting burned. Watch the Bruins and Rangers for examples of this.- I, for one, had high hopes going into this season. This team does not block shots like the old days. Hope this isn't a wasted season. Pronger is done...period. Trade JVR and Schenn for a top D-man before its too late...there is still time to right this high scoring ship.
- You just said trade jvr and schenn for a top D-man, HAAA!!!! Let me know who? dumb comment. there are no #1-2 dman out there...... Why dont we also trade desean/maclin for calvin johnson too.— fman727
- If Bryz faults tonight, you might not see him again for awhile. I think it's good he goes back in and see if he can bounce back..but if he let's up soft goals again, something must be done...don't know what that is, but something has to give.— FLYGUY31
Comment removed.- Think of a better trade for jvr... like jvr, carle for jack johnson and something. Carle isnt back next year.— fman727
- Why are we not looking to acquire Ruutu? I hate forwards that are tough, play defense, and can score.....Ed Snider.
They are projecting a pick or a prospect for him? that is nothing. Make a combo deal with him a Bryan Allen for JVR and a #2.— dave1walsh 
Bryz needs to make sure the net is not humongous big for the Isles.— jp8899- Nobody would want JVR with a concussion. We would get almost nothing for him now. Just got to play out season and see what happens. Nobody is expecting a Stanley Cup these season anyway. At least we know the Universe is big and we are small, so it's not a total loss.— neddyflanders
I cannot understand how Lavi handles the goalies. Bryzgalov had played very well against New Jersey, beating them several times and even shutting them out once...So the coach starts Bobrovsky. Sergie has played well against the Isles, stealing several games earlier this year...So Lavi goes with Bryz...- It's pretty simple. He wants to see how Bob can do against a playoff team (finally) and wants to help build Bryz's confidence by letting him play a bad team. Plus, Lavy wanted Bryz fresh for the Rangers, as he has proven particularly ineffective (both in Philly and Phoenix) in back-to-backs, so that is probably the main reason Bob got the start against Jersey.
- So Bryz was "fresh" for the Rangers, and he still let in two softees. I don't think the Islanders qualify as a "bad" team since they are 6-2-2 in their last ten games.
How Bobrovsky will do against a playoff team (finally)?
He looked pretty good beating the Panthers in that shootout. Here put this vid on your message board:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-_VkIidZKk&feature=related - I know you like to respond to my posts just for the sake of arguing, but what is your point? Bob looked good in ONE shootout, and that is what makes you think he is ready for the playoffs? Hmmmm...let me remind you-- no shootouts in the playoffs, sorry. Yes, Bob did look good against the Panthers (but he only faced 25 shots and still let in 2), who are a borderline playoff team that is a whopping one point away from watching the playoffs on NBC. How did he look against the Devils? Those 4 goals in 2.5 minutes-- that seems ripe for YouTube.
As for Bryz, he sucks. He let in some bad goals against the Rangers, but he gave up 4 goals on 37 shots (89%) against the best team in the league playing at home. Bob against the Devils? How about 6 goals on 23 shots (74%). Which is worse? Not too hard to figure that one out.
Lastly, you think the Islanders are good because they have won 6 of their last 10? I guess the last place Hurricanes are good too because they have the same record in their last 10. Puh-lease. - No shootouts in the playoffs? Duh...You were talking about Bobrovsky beating playoff teams. Bryz should start against the Islanders? LOL Bryz has never beaten the Islanders and has a lifetime 5.50 GAA against them.
Puh-lease.
- Puh-lease to what? Where did I say that Bryz should play against the Islanders tonight (as you may recall, my first comment about him is that he sucks). I am just, in response to Ken's question, explaining why Lavy probably is starting him. Obviously it is not because he has a 5.50 GAA and no wins against the Isles. In short, your great comeback actually supports my position as to why Bryz is playing. So, thank you for that research (by the way, he's played the Isles like what, 3 times in his entire career? See, you just proved that stats can be manipulated, while I just proved how easy it is to bring it back to earth).
As for Bob, wow, you proved that he beat a playoff team. I would bet every NHL goalie has beaten a playoff team, so as usual my question is, what was your point. And let's not pretend that was som all-star performance-- he faced 25 shots and was still beaten twice. I am sure there is a better example of his stellar pay this season, like a shutout. Oh.... - LOL...Where did I say that Bryz should play against the Islanders tonight? That was the point of your entire "argument." That Bryz should play tonight.
"your great comeback actually supports my position as to why Bryz is playing." LOL He's playing because he has never beaten the Isles and because they have lit him up for over 5 goals a game? Snipes you have lost it.
P.S. I never did any research, I heard the commentator say it on TV.
- TV? Shame. You missed a good game.
I was advocating for Bryz to play tonight? Ok, that's news to me. At least the guy pitched a shutout. Yeah, he sucked in the shootout, and yes, the shutout was against the lowly Isles and there were not any shots. But Bob has had MANY chances against the Isles and teams like them, and he still has zero shutouts.
The problem here is that we are talking about guys like Bon and Bryz , when we should be acknowledging Nabokov. Now THAT was stealing a game for your team. And I liked the no-bob-esque shuffle at the end, like it was nothin special, just another day in the park.
As for your last paragraph, I said above that OBVIOUSLY Lavy is NOT playing Bryz because of his GAA and loss record vs. the Isles. Therefore, there must be another reason he played Bryz, which I think was to boost his confidence against a poor team. Thus, by you pointing out that Lavy logically would not be playing Bryz because of his past performance against the Isles, you were helping to make my point. I feel like I am repeating myself, but for some reason you seem to be unable to comprehend logical reasoning.
Come back and talk smack when Bon posts a shutout (whch for the record I hope is the next game he plays). Until then, eh, you're not worth it. - I kind of agree with "neddyflanders". If you win the Cup this year, it would be a miracle... like the Giants or Cardinals... wait... we might have a shot! Anyway, you are building something here. Schenn is getting better and you can always go after a top D man in the off season without having to make some lopsided trade at the deadline.— ragecage22
- The flyers are always building something - it just never gets finished.— bigdaddyG
- Jagers groin is the issue - he looks a half step slower than in the beginning of the season - he needs to shut it down for another week or two.....swapping mid level guys at the trade deadline fixes nothing - let the kids mature together make moves in the off season - if there is a free agent you need - and play Bryz until he shakes off the whole Hollywood, winter classic, big contract, HBO, universe thing and gets serious/professional mercenary and down to business about playing well game in and game out - this club historically has been way too impatient and trigger happy with the talent they have on hand - they need JVR's size up front— JourneyHome
- Will we hear an apology from Dennis Potvin tonight for his "embellishment" comment about the hit on JVR that resulted in his recent concussion, from which he has yet to return?? Maybe the local media can ask him about that comment?— Steely Dan
- This team is in a deep fog. Nobody can see the real problems. Goalies and defence, Giveaways and bad penalties. Result ist round goodbye or no playoffs at all.— eaglesman1
- I actually Bryz had righted the ship. He gave up only 1 goal in 4 of his last 5 games and he looked a hell of lot more confident in nets. Even in the first period against the Rangers he looked good......and then it happened!! the week wrap around goal with 5 seconds left!! uggghhhhhh! it was over then. Once he looses his confidence he's done. I don't think I've ever watch any NHL goalie be as bad as times as he has been. What did the Flyers brass see in this guy? I think they need to send him to a shrink and maybe put him on Xanax or something!! We finally think we're getting a top notch goalie, something we haven't had in 25 years and we get this!! It's the Linberg curse!!— kchaz
- testing,can i make a comment?cut me off 4 times today,— bill the pill
- Breaking News: JVR out until the day after the trade deadline.— Romus
- Watch Nabakov bury the Flyers tonight. He's playing well for a bad team, and the Flyers could have had him beginning of last year.— Hiding Behind My Keyboard
- You guys keep bashing Bob but must be forgetting he is still young and it takes some time for goalies to do well in the NHL. Im telling you now, getting rid of Bob would be a HUGE mistake! Mark my words he WILL be an elite goaltender in this league! He just needs to get used to the workload and how long the season is. He is lightning quick, incredibly flexible, and can move from post to post faster than most. Bob IS the Philly goalie we've been searching for...just give him some time to prove it.
— Neebo - trades? too many people are in freak out mode. sure, a top d-man would be good, but losing JVR is not the answer. so many on here wanted to get rid of Hartnell just a couple of months ago. JVR will come around when he's healthy. They tried to "fix" the Flyers last year by acquiring Versteeg and see how well that went? It seemed to kill the team chemistry right from the start. I don't believe in getting rental players. I would think they need to stick with what they've got unless something turns up that they cant pass up.— stonelamb
- snipes and I are the same page tonight: Bryzgalov SUCKS. The soft goals are no longer coincidental, and his incredible playoff shutout run was 2006, SIX years ago.
I still agree with Flyersfan4life that we have a better solution in Bobrovsky, that he is just real young and inexperienced, and will only get better. That said, he might just plateau out where he is now.
BUT, the only way to find out is to play him under all circumstances, good and bad teams, back to back, and a week straight. Then , averaging that performance will tell you what you have or not.
No matter what, GO FLYERS!!— PhillyboyinNYC - I hope you are right about Bob improving. I think what you like most about Bob is the potential that he has, because it is hard to get jacked up about a goalie with the 28th best save percentage and GAA in the league, especially when he is primarily playing lesser opponents.
I hope he has not hit his plateau, but here are the facts:
Last season: .915 save percentage, 2.59 GAA, zero shutouts
Last playoffs: yikes, let's not even go there
This season: .911 save percentage, 2.70 GAA, zero shutouts
In short, his numbers are WORSE this year than last year, though by a small margin. Nothing there tells me he is on the rise. - LOL...The master of statistical manipulation is at it again. Snipes' stats prove that Brobrovsky sucks and Leaky is great...LOL...Apparently some knowledgeable goalie experts disagree with Snipes: Bernie Parent, in fact, compared Bobrovsky to the late Vezina Trophy-winning Flyers goalie Pelle Lindbergh. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=545798
- What am I manipulating? Do you deny these are his full season numbers? Do you deny they are ALL the same or worse than last year? Do you deny his NHL ranking as a goalie?
The only "manipulation" is that i was incomplete in that I spared you the dreadful playoff numbers, which we all know are horribly worse than his regular season numbers.
Ok tough guy, so if I manipulated the numbers, what do you think we should focus on to show he is the man? Bernie parent's comments in one interview? That makes complete sense, thanks for that. - Terrible performance! Can't believe Flyers lost! They better wake the Hell Up! Too many Poor performances! Giroux, you better understand wins, is what we want....not "good" games! When is Lavi going to man up and pull Bry! He has to sit and learn! Your got your asses kicked by NYR and think it's acceptable. What world are you guys living In? Wake up Lavi and kick there f_____g asses!— PhillysTruth
- JVR won't start feeling better until after the trade deadline because he doesn't want to play in Toronto. Welcome back, Danny. Bryz, go watch some video on stopping shootout goals cuz you suck.— Kanayd
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Broad Street Bull is the Inquirer's blog covering the Philadelphia Flyers and the National Hockey League.
Reach Sam at scarchidi@phillynews.com.
Sam Carchidi
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