Remember Homer was looking to sign Marty also when he first signed Emery... and Razor was fine with that.
And this is no time to spend big... when there is no Cap space to do so. Besides, that goes against what you're saying about not allowing Emery to gain confidence and feel wanted.
We have the deph up front which takes alot of money away (and our 3.5 turnover defensemen who I still think can do better). Next year though we need to give some raises out, so I think we are going to go the cheap root again sadly (either sign a FA goalie or someone in the system...hey you never know how Backlund/Riopel or even Eriksson does)
I think Biron burned bridges and got burned himself. He'll stay with the Isles. Just so long as Emery doesn't entirely **** the bed there are three or four competent backups to be had for cheap if need be. Sure, Biron is likely better than anyone available but he'd probably cost more and cause an instant goalie controversy. Emery seems solid so far. If he has to handle a few more games over the first month of the season than he normally would than so be it.
We have the deph up front which takes alot of money away (and our 3.5 turnover defensemen who I still think can do better). Next year though we need to give some raises out, so I think we are going to go the cheap root again sadly (either sign a FA goalie or someone in the system...hey you never know how Backlund/Riopel or even Eriksson does)
Isn't Biron signed to a one year deal? I know Razor is. I don't see how you can argue against a Emery/Biron combo.
Split the games 50/50. Give Emery more games in the playoffs (assuming Biron doesn't outplay Emery badly during the season or something) and then, if you can't get both or at least one of them for cheap, then don't sign one of them. Seems pretty simple and effective to me. Split games during the regular season, we'll have a good backup ready for the playoffs if he's needed, and both could potentially be re-signed for cheap (and if one of them can't then don't sign him).
...Backlund anyone?...I didnt think he looked that bad...
In a preseason game against a roster split of NHLers and AHLers? Hardly a good barometer.
I'd be okay with signing Sabourin or Fernandez and, frankly, putting Boucher on waivers. I wasn't a fan of the signing and his play has been mediocre at best.
Marty is what? Number three on the Isles -- a bad, very bad team -- now?... Being #2 on a Cup contender, and one he likes, is a step up. He wanted to stay he, and would have been paid much more if he wasn't demanding a long contract at too high a figure. This gives them both a shot to prove their worth; head to head competition.
... And, I don't see him as the type to hold a grudge.
he may or may not be starting on the island, but the bottom line is, he is a starting goalie. he is not a backup. and i was more concerned with the effect it would have on emery.
Biron is a good target at the deadline if Boucher sucks too bad and backlund isnt ready though. His deal is cheap, and expiring and he's on a rebuilding team who would want draft picks
I dont hate him because I think he was the reason he lost the playoffs for us. Even as a backup goalie, he would still suck. Its Biron. I dont care how cheap he is. I wouldnt take him for free. Hell I wouldnt even take him on my roller hockey league team.
He was also the main reason the team went to the ECF two years ago.
He was also the main reason the team went to the ECF two years ago.
He also told the team that his value was 4 million dollars when it turned out to be, what, half of what we were paying him on his last contract? He burned the bridges, man. He's not coming back while Emery is the starter.
He also told the team that his value was 4 million dollars when it turned out to be, what, half of what we were paying him on his last contract? He burned the bridges, man. He's not coming back while Emery is the starter.
hopefully its minor and bouch will be fine i don't trust backlund as the back up but if we had to get one at the deadline we should go after josh harding since i think he has number 1 goalie upside or maybe we could try to get nitty back or last option give esche a cheap contract i hear he's been doing well in the khl
Hope it's not too serious for him. I wonder though if they are giving the start against the Wild to Backlund. Emery pretty much played three games straight now.
As for Biron, I would have very much liked to re-sign him for what the Isles pay him now and I'd definitely trade away Boucher and a scrub/low pick for Marty. He was definitely not the reason for the last two exits in the playoffs. The only real reason for his departure was the greed of his agent and him and I guess he learned his lesson.
However, such a trade could also have bad consequences if Emery would take it as the team not having faith in him. Emery is definitely the starter this season.
Johan Backlund will practice Monday at Skate Zone, replacing the injured Brian Boucher – who is going to miss a week to 10 days with that infamous “lower body” injury that sounds more and more like a pulled groin.
Why groin? Because general manager Paul Holmgren said Sunday that Boucher “tweaked” something and that it was “minor.” Tweak usually refers to groin pulls.
Backlund will backup starter Ray Emery. Boucher was injured, apparently, getting up from the ice during the first period of Saturday’s 1-0 preseason loss to the Devils in Newark, N.J.
“He’s going to miss the opening weekend,” Holmgren said of Boucher. The Flyers open the season Friday night in Carolina, then fly to Newark for Saturday’s game against the Devils.
Backlund had a rough start to preseason, yet recovered for a good camp. By all accounts, he looked very sharp playing for the Adirondack Phantoms in Glens Falls on Friday night. He had 26 saves during a 2-1 win over Albany.
“We were happy with his camp when we sent him down,” Holmgren said of Backlund. “We wanted to get him playing and give Brian and Ray the time they needed to play for the regular season. With Brian getting injured, it kind of throws a wrench into that.”
Emery was to play the entire final preseason game Tuesday against Minnesota, but that will now change with Emery and Backlund splitting time in net.
