Today's open discussion thread, complete with your daily dose of Philadelphia Flyers-related news and notes...

* Ilya Bryzgalov was in good spirits yesterday, which is a good sign: [Philadelphia Flyers] [CSNPhilly] [Daily News] [Inquirer]

* Peter Laviolette has a tall task to accomplish in a short time period: [CSNPhilly]

* Quick notes from Voorhees: [Broad Street Bull]

* Talking with Phantoms Assistant Coach Kjell Samuelsson: [The Saratogian] [PostStar]

* Marcel Noebels was named to the ECHL All-Star team: [Flyers Faithful]

* What NHL fans are only not remembering, including jabs at Fleury and the Flyers' D: [Eyes On The Prize]

* The Nicklas Lidstrom jersey retirement is another casualty of the lockout: [SBNation.com]

* Ilya Kovalchuk has not left the KHL yet and "is not in a hurry" to return to the States: [SBNation.com] [Backhand Shelf] [Puck Daddy]

* This is just another in a series of issues between the KHL and NHL: [Deadspin] [Puck Daddy] [Backhand Shelf]

* The Capitals are looking at being without Nicklas Backstrom to start the year: [SBNation.com]

* The Stars trolled the Cowboys and Tony Romo yesterday: [SBNation.com] [Defending Big D] [Puck Daddy] [Backhand Shelf]

* In another battle between #1 and #2, Notre Dame lost big. This time to Minnesota: [Western College Hockey Blog]

* Subscription required, but team projections for 2013 from VUKOTA: [Hockey Prospectus]

* Why the VUKOTA projections are flawed: [mc79hockey.com]