Vokoun or Byzgalov: My Wednesday Morning Debate

[DChero]

A friend of mine and I were having the debate about which goalie makes the biggest impact for their new club. Both seem like very good signings and definitely sure up a weakness. My buddy (Flyers fan) has very high expectations for Bryz (he said "Conference Finals" at one point). My argument was that Vokoun was roughly the same value and saved the Caps room for more talent. Anyway, this turned into a 30 minute conversation, so I did what any self-respecting hockey fan should do... turn it over to SportsHoopla. Any thoughts?

 

[Slimpikins]

With that amazing cap hit how can anyone not pick Vokoun?

 

[Nasty_Magician]

In terms of bang for your buck Vokoun is the better candidate. In terms of ability, that's tough, they are about even but I'll give the nod to Vokoun. Great question.

 

[jerseyjigroe]

We will see. Better D in front of Bryz though.

 

[DChero]

To me it was a no-brainer, but it seems the same for him. I understand that Bryz has looked good the last couple of years, can really enhance that defense, blah blah blah... but Vokoun looked good without anyone in front of him. It was the "Conference Finals" thing that set me off. The Caps have been in need of solid netminding almost as long as the Flyers. When I look at who I'd want the Penguins to play in the playoffs, the Flyers look like an easier matchup (no disrespect). So that's where my view comes from.

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

Skill wise they are very close. I guess this season will be different as they are both playing for real contenders now.

As for value, there is no argument against Vokoun except that maybe the 1 year deal can hurt him in the long run. Whether it affects his big pay day by having a sub par year, or having a stellar season and is offered big money big years by another club.

I am happy with Bryz, but for the money there is no denying caps win this one.

 

[jerseyjigroe]

My expectations are not as high for the Flyers this year so the Caps may be the more difficult match up at this point. I don't think that has anything to do with the goalies though. I think it has more to do with the Flyers getting rid of half of their roster.

 

[DChero]

Skill wise they are very close. I guess this season will be different as they are both playing for real contenders now.

As for value, there is no argument against Vokoun except that maybe the 1 year deal can hurt him in the long run. Whether it affects his big pay day by having a sub par year, or having a stellar season and is offered big money big years by another club.

I am happy with Bryz, but for the money there is no denying caps win this one.

That's a really good point. I was mainly discussing this year, but the second year could be completely upside-down.

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

That's a really good point. I was mainly discussing this year, but the second year could be completely upside-down.

yea I wasn't sure what your angle was for the argument. 1 year wise, Vokoun wins. Long run, who knows.

 

[awaz]

We will see. Better D in front of Bryz though.

ehhh.. i wouldn't get too carried away with that one.. carlson+alzner is a bonafide top pair, wideman, green, hamrlik, schultz.. they have a really underrated d-corp..

take into account that pronger (36) had back surgery and timonen slowed down big time this year..

i think the flyers have the edge if timo and pronger are healthy, but i think that is a pretty big if

Skill wise they are very close. I guess this season will be different as they are both playing for real contenders now.

As for value, there is no argument against Vokoun except that maybe the 1 year deal can hurt him in the long run. Whether it affects his big pay day by having a sub par year, or having a stellar season and is offered big money big years by another club.

I am happy with Bryz, but for the money there is no denying caps win this one.

this^

but i'd give the slight talent edge to vokoun.. JMO

 

[jerseyjigroe]

ehhh.. i wouldn't get too carried away with that one.. carlson+alzner is a bonafide top pair, wideman, green, hamrlik, schultz.. they have a really underrated d-corp..

take into account that pronger (36) had back surgery and timonen slowed down big time this year..

i think the flyers have the edge if timo and pronger are healthy, but i think that is a pretty big if



this^

but i'd give the slight talent edge to vokoun.. JMO

Agreed.

 

[elocomotive]

I think you have to look at a number of factors on this one...

Value - Caps, $1.5 million is a steal
Effect on team - Caps, we're giving up nobody b/c of Vokoun, Philly lost Carter/Richards - some would say Carter was a problem, but it's undeniable they are going to lose some consistency/offense this year with those guys gone
Talent - Draw - both are elite goaltenders
Improvement over previous - Flyers, while people have criticized Washington's goalies, Neuvirth had pretty good numbers (excellent in round 1) in the playoffs and the trio had great numbers all year. In fact, the Caps were already #4 in fewest goals allowed, so they are only going to improve so much. The Flyers goalies were downright awful in the playoffs, so the Flyers improve overall more from where they were.

I think b/c of the contract size, I'd give the edge to the Caps, but the impact on the team should for Philly should be significant. They'll have more confidence in the back end. The bugaboo the Caps need to shake regarding the playoffs has little to do with the goalies at the end of the day.

Good debate topic.

 

[awaz]

I think you have to look at a number of factors on this one...

Value - Caps, $1.5 million is a steal
Effect on team - Caps, we're giving up nobody b/c of Vokoun, Philly lost Carter/Richards - some would say Carter was a problem, but it's undeniable they are going to lose some consistency/offense this year with those guys gone
Talent - Draw - both are elite goaltenders
Improvement over previous - Flyers, while people have criticized Washington's goalies, Neuvirth had pretty good numbers (excellent in round 1) in the playoffs and the trio had great numbers all year. In fact, the Caps were already #4 in fewest goals allowed, so they are only going to improve so much. The Flyers goalies were downright awful in the playoffs, so the Flyers improve overall more from where they were.

I think b/c of the contract size, I'd give the edge to the Caps, but the impact on the team should for Philly should be significant. They'll have more confidence in the back end. The bugaboo the Caps need to shake regarding the playoffs has little to do with the goalies at the end of the day.

Good debate topic.

i think this pretty much hits it on the head.. given the player+contract the caps win.. but given the impact, the flyers probably draw even.. just because it was a glaring need for the flyers and an upgrade on an already quality position for the caps

 

[DChero]

I think you have to look at a number of factors on this one...

Value - Caps, $1.5 million is a steal
Effect on team - Caps, we're giving up nobody b/c of Vokoun, Philly lost Carter/Richards - some would say Carter was a problem, but it's undeniable they are going to lose some consistency/offense this year with those guys gone
Talent - Draw - both are elite goaltenders
Improvement over previous - Flyers, while people have criticized Washington's goalies, Neuvirth had pretty good numbers (excellent in round 1) in the playoffs and the trio had great numbers all year. In fact, the Caps were already #4 in fewest goals allowed, so they are only going to improve so much. The Flyers goalies were downright awful in the playoffs, so the Flyers improve overall more from where they were.

I think b/c of the contract size, I'd give the edge to the Caps, but the impact on the team should for Philly should be significant. They'll have more confidence in the back end. The bugaboo the Caps need to shake regarding the playoffs has little to do with the goalies at the end of the day.

Good debate topic.

Rep for the /thread. Best way to sum it up.

 

[quoipourquoi]

I think they're both on their way to the Conference Finals...

 

[DChero]

I think they're both on their way to the Conference Finals...

Gotta be a winner.

 

[flyersfan4706]

I am so happy with Bryz, and the Flyers could have never seen the Vokoun contract coming. Vokoun wins with money and IMO is still a better goalie, but Bryz is younger which I like.

 

[4thstreet]

A friend of mine and I were having the debate about which goalie makes the biggest impact for their new club. Both seem like very good signings and definitely sure up a weakness. My buddy (Flyers fan) has very high expectations for Bryz (he said "Conference Finals" at one point). My argument was that Vokoun was roughly the same value and saved the Caps room for more talent. Anyway, this turned into a 30 minute conversation, so I did what any self-respecting hockey fan should do... turn it over to SportsHoopla. Any thoughts?

I find it amazing that a Pens and Flyers fan,could have a 30 minute "conversation"that didn't lead to fisticuffs.

 

[DChero]

I find it amazing that a Pens and Flyers fan,could have a 30 minute "conversation"that didn't lead to fisticuffs.

Haha. We have a mutual respect in the off-season. By following both teams, as we all do, it's fun to have these discussions.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I'm going with Vokoun. Considering the fact that everytime he gave up a goal the game was considered over the past few years says a lot about what was in front of him. Yes Bryzgalov was a big reason why the Coyotes made the playoffs the past two years, but he had a veteran team for the most part in front of him. I also think the Red Wings exposed Bryzgalov in the playoffs. Teams will watch the video big time.