Is Sergei Bobrovsky really the number two goalie?

by Travis Hughes on Oct 1, 2010 1:15 PM EDT in Philadelphia Flyers Commentary

There was a story today in the Philadelphia Inquirer that explained how Sergei Bobrovsky is the number two goaltender on the Flyers depth chart. This implies, of course, that Bob has made the Flyers and will be travelling to Pittsburgh next week to watch Brian Boucher take on the Penguins in the season opener.

Here's how the Inqy described the situation.

Thanks to a dazzling training camp - and injuries to Michael Leighton and Johan Backlund - 22-year-old rookie Sergei "Bob" Bobrovsky has climbed to No. 2 on the Flyers' goalie depth chart.

The goalie who is No. 1, veteran Brian Boucher, has become one of Bobrovsky's biggest fans.

That's all fine and good and everything, but I'd like to see a Flyers official -- be it Paul Holmgren or Peter Laviolette or even Jeff Reese -- on record saying that Bobrovsky has passed Johan Backlund on the depth chart. (And no, Backlund isn't hurt anymore. He sat on the bench on Tuesday night.)

Yes, Bobrovsky has been impressive -- beyond that, even. Sometimes actions speak louder than words, too, and the fact that Laviolette played Bob for the full game on Wednesday against New York while Backlund played door man does likely mean something. That's only amplified by the fact that Backlund will yet again be on the bench tonight as the Flyers host the Sabres. Bobrovsky or Boucher will start.

So while it does look likely that Bob could be the number two goalie come next Thursday, we cannot unequivocally say that he is the number two goalie on the depth chart without confirmation from the organization.

To do so, especially without making the distinction that the Flyers haven't officially announced anything on the subject, is a simple case of reporting false information. From the largest paper in the sixth largest city in the country.

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I’ve given up on guessing what this organization is thinking/planning to do.

It’s not worth the headache. I’m excited to see Bobrovsky crack the NHL lineup, but I definitely think he’d be better suited in the AHL to gain the ice time he needs to continue to adjust to NA hockey.

by grucifer on Oct 1, 2010 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

Didnt we make a plea, you know, for him to do his dang job better before?

that said, if ob is on the Flyers at the start, I think he should be over Boosh. I love Boosh for his loyalty to this team, and his great attitude to the game/fans, but Bob is just a better goalie, plain and simple. (waits for Geoff to trow stats at me). I know he hasnt been really tested yet, but he has looked a lot better then Boosh has so far. He des what we havent seen in a while, and thats not allowing the weak goals (re: Biron, Nittty, Boosh, leighton, Esch, Chek, Burk, etc…)

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Oct 1, 2010 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t have a response, actually. My only response would be that we haven’t seen nearly enough of Bobrovsky to judge him against NHL competition. The New York Islanders split-squad isn’t doing it for me.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 1, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I haven’t seen all the action, but hasn’t he allowed some weak ones?

Boucher has played more consecutive regular season shutout minutes than Bob has played against NHL talent. This shouldn’t even be a comparison.

by Snevik on Oct 1, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I haven’t seen all the games, but I’ve seen him play twice and none of the goals were weak.

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Oct 1, 2010 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

There was one where he was beat 5 hole going post to post I believe (think it was islanders game). That was a weak goal. Good thing was he knew it and was visibly mad. I doubt it’s a mistake he’ll do again.

Split squad or not, I’m not sure the Islanders count as NHL competition.

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by Mike B on D on Oct 1, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I think this answer is very simple guys… If Johan Backlund has a one way contract he CANNOT start the season up with the Flyers.

by orangeandblack20 on Oct 1, 2010 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

If he does and Leights comes back we risk sending him down, and then when (if) he comes back up we risk him again! Bob is the only 2-way goalie we have, so we need him to fill in while Leights gets healthy.

by orangeandblack20 on Oct 1, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

But Backlund is just as unproven as Bob is, and at least Bob is playing great right now. I dont think its has anything to do with contracts, i think its based off skill here.

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Oct 1, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Careful with the word skill. Bobrovsky is probably more talented, but in terms of “skill” – meaning acquired ability – I’d say Backlund has more, if for no other reason than he has played an entire year in North America. Then you also throw in that he knows the Flyers system, personnel, and coaching staff, and I think it’s easy to say Backlund has more “skill” than Bobrovsky.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 1, 2010 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I use skill and talent the same way. But yes, Back has more “experience”, but I still think Bob is a better goalie.

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Oct 1, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah. I differentiate the two.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 1, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

If Backlund has a one-way… and you start him in the NHL and then Leights comes back, what do you do? You risk sending down a 29-year-old with a 2 year contract near the league minimum with unknown potential. Then what happens if Leights or Boosh gets hurt again (which was very common last year) and you call him up? Not only can he be claimed again, but if he does, we pay half of his cap. While if we start Bob as the two, Leights comes back, Bob goes down, no big deal. If an injury happens again, then we get to make a decision on weather we want Bob or Backlund up there for long term. Its a win-win with Bob up there now. It can be a huge Lose-Lose with Backlund. And Backlund hasn’t played yet.

by orangeandblack20 on Oct 1, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I very much like this argument and it angers me, because I don’t like the conclusion.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 1, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Then again, if Backlund isn’t healthy, that decision is very easy…

by orangeandblack20 on Oct 1, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

This is true.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 1, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Doubt he’d even be on the bench if he weren’t healthy, though.

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by Travis Hughes on Oct 1, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m pretty sure he’s two-way (but I’m not 100 percent sure).

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by Travis Hughes on Oct 1, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

He does have a two-way deal, but our resident CBA expert says he’s not waiver exempt (which makes sense), so the conclusion remains the same.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 1, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Just checked capgeek… This year it says he has a two-way deal (his salary is in orange). Next year his salary is in blue (assuming orange means two-way, Blue means one way because all of the older guys except Claude and JVR are in blue).

by orangeandblack20 on Oct 1, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, he has a two-way this year, one-way next year. The problem is that two-way doesn’t affect waiver eligibility. It’s simply salary levels in different leagues.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 1, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Nevertheless, I don’t trust the Flyers to understand the distinction.

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by Travis Hughes on Oct 1, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

haha, I think they will… eventually. They finally figured out Bartulis wasn’t exempt.

Really, as long as they don’t waive Backlund to the Phantoms, field trade offers for him, then try to sneak him up on re-entry, I think we can say “progress”.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 1, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

So EA has that wrong too? Oscars has a 1-way and is not waiver exempt? Johan has a 2-way and is not waiver exempt?

by orangeandblack20 on Oct 1, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think EA is able to program in the CBA’s warped explanation of when a player losing waiver exemption. Jenn said she has a chart for us explaining each player individually, which I can’t wait to see.

But it has something to do with how old he was when drafted, when he played his first pro game, where he was drafted from, and quite possibly how many siblings they have.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 1, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

EA does a great job and it would be impossible for them to throw everything in there. The fact that we have the entire organization on the roster is great. I can’t wait until we get Bob in the game. Anyone know when that could be?

by orangeandblack20 on Oct 1, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Is he not available in NHL11? Don’t they have the KHL teams? I know Emery was available in NHL09 while he was there…

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 1, 2010 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Can you structure contracts in NHL 11? I haven’t played the franchise in a while, but I’d be more interested if I could play Gm in-depth.

by Snevik on Oct 1, 2010 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds like a frustrating game. Waiver exempt, non exempt two way deals, LTIR, re-entry cap goes up cap goes down, bonus, tryouts, UFA, RFA, offer sheets and compensation. BLAH BLAH BLAH

I hate the cap because I love hockey.

I much rather talk about players and the game without having to qualify everything with all the cap value, contract length, bonuses cushions and all the bullshit.

Shoot Score Save Fight that is all I need.

by chrislanci on Oct 1, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

You can’t structure, but you don’t really need to if you think about it. In the NHL they structure to fit their individual team’s budget and the cap hit is the total divided by years. So in NHL you just pick years and per year. But you can negotiate in year.

He’s not in. There is no KHL. There is every other league including the CHL’s top three leagues. So guys like Michael Chaput are on the Flyers “total roster”. Same with Jokeem Eriksson. Its really cool. UFA/RFA is also finally involved. I’m waiting to start my real franchise untill Bob is in the game. And Gustaffson, don’t think he’s here.

by OrangeNblacK on Oct 1, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Eh, but you could control team finances in the old franchise mode, so there would be a relation.

by Snevik on Oct 1, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

No KHL teams, they’re saving that for next year to give us incentive to buy the same game over again.

I’m assuming if Bob’s on the roster at some point EA will throw him in there on a roster update.

by Phalange on Oct 1, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I get the feeling Jen has a better comprehension of the CBA because she’s never played any of the EA games, which have surely clouded our mind to the workings of the CBA

Backing Backlund for 2010-2011
Mourning Gagne forever.

by ToddtheFox on Oct 1, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

by OrangeNblacK on Oct 1, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

You should try Eastside Hockey Manager (that’s the second time I’ve mentioned it in a day, I feel like I’m advertising it). Very addictive and actually obeys the CBA fairly accurately. I play the EA games for hockey but if I want to ‘Be A GM’ I just play EHM.

Simon Gagne may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home, but at the end of the day, he will always be a Philadelphia Flyer.

by PursuitOfLappyness on Oct 1, 2010 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds decent. Is it on PC? I’ve never heard of it.

Backing Backlund for 2010-2011
Mourning Gagne forever.

by ToddtheFox on Oct 2, 2010 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep. They discontinued it in 2007 because too many people were downloading it and not enough buying it, but there are roster updates on the internet, plus you can download a free demo lasting six in-game months from the website. Presentation is a bit lacking, but once you get stuck into it, you get lost in it.

Simon Gagne may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home, but at the end of the day, he will always be a Philadelphia Flyer.

by PursuitOfLappyness on Oct 2, 2010 2:36 AM EDT up reply actions