Russian National Team Head Coach on Flyers goalies, defense
Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, Russian National team head coach, just returned from his North America trip where he met with prospective Olympic Team players.
I would like to offer you his opinion on Philadelphia Flyers goalkeepers and defense as reported by Russian newspapers.
Q: Bryzgalov seems to have troubles with his game lately.
A: I talked to him, saw him playing. He looked confident and reliable. My understanding is not everything is up to him; there are forwards and defensemen, and team defense system. Iliya is not capable of protecting the goal alone without team’s help. I have to consider these issues when I evaluate a goalie performance. I liked what I saw.
Q: Is Bryzgalov under a lot of stress because of his performance?
A: He is a mature player, He evaluates the situation correctly. He knows how to get himself ready for a game, how to work on his own mistakes. He is very self sufficient.
Q: As defensive specialist, don’t you think that Flyers are playing defense loosely?
A: I had worked with Kevin McCarthy in Winnipeg, he is very knowledgeable specialist. Looking from the stands, I thought that I would have somewhat changed Flyers defense. But I am not going to interfere with coach Laviolette’s work; especially since each team has its own defensive strategies.
Q: What are your impressions of Bobrovsky?
A: This was the first time that I have met him. I have not seen him play, hopefully I will have this opportunity when I come back in February. It was very nice to have a conversation with him. He seems like very goal oriented guy and we can rely on him.
Q: As defensive specialist, don’t you think that Flyers are playing defense loosely?
A: I had worked with Kevin McCarthy in Winnipeg, he is very knowledgeable specialist. Looking from the stand, I thought that I would have somewhat changed Flyers defense. But I am not going to interfere with coach Laviolette’s work; especially since each team has its own defensive strategies.
Well the Flyers should have done their homework better I guess since their system is offensively oriented with the D pinching on the attack etc. Obviously McCarthy has to complement Laviolette's scheme..I'm sure McCarthy would like to tighten it up but he's not the coach. I know people have argued that McCarthy should be replaced but Laviolette came here with the understanding that McCarthy would be his assistant. Flyers accomodated. I will say that focus on the coaches is fair with respect to Bryz having the best chance at success within the existing system. I doubt Lavi is going anywhere anytime soon although I have my concerns with him come playoff time especially. Then again get him a Pronger like D man and some of those concerns go away..easier said then done.
Having said all this...Bryz will need to adapt b/c in life those who don't adapt die....part of natural selection especially when the backup is evolving quicker and fitting into the "ecosystem." That is why I'm willing to chalk this year up as a transition year for Bryz but he'll need to show more commitment. Rumor is that his commitment to practice is not up to par....although Bob is kind of a fiend with conditioning and preparation off the ice..even Bryz admitted in training camp and I think was taken aback....
Last edited by OccupySouthBroadSt: 01-27-2012 at 09:20 AM.
He basically said what a lot of us say. A goalie cannot be a consistently good goalie in a pure offensive system. Offensive system are great in the regular season but fall apart in the playoffs when it matters. He questioned Lavy's system which a lot of us do but he didn't throw him under the bus. Its good to get the views of another head coach.
If Lavy does indeed change him system just a little bit to actually try to play defense then we will see Bryz return to form consistently and be worth his contract.
He basically said what a lot of us say. A goalie cannot be a consistently good goalie in a pure offensive system. Offensive system are great in the regular season but fall apart in the playoffs when it matters. He questioned Lavy's system which a lot of us do but he didn't throw him under the bus. Its good to get the views of another head coach.
If Lavy does indeed change him system just a little bit to actually try to play defense then we will see Bryz return to form consistently and be worth his contract.
This. I really hope Lavi tweaks his system a bit regardless of personnel on D.
He basically said what a lot of us say. A goalie cannot be a consistently good goalie in a pure offensive system. Offensive system are great in the regular season but fall apart in the playoffs when it matters. He questioned Lavy's system which a lot of us do but he didn't throw him under the bus. Its good to get the views of another head coach.
If Lavy does indeed change him system just a little bit to actually try to play defense then we will see Bryz return to form consistently and be worth his contract.
Our offensive system has little to do with Bryz or our defensive zone play. If the system were the only problem, All Bryz's goals against would be odd man rushes and breakaways when in reality for the most part they aren't. The offensive system is not to blame when Bryz let's in a weak short side goal or isn't fast enough to stop a redirection or isn't square to his shooters
He basically said what a lot of us say. A goalie cannot be a consistently good goalie in a pure offensive system. Offensive system are great in the regular season but fall apart in the playoffs when it matters. He questioned Lavy's system which a lot of us do but he didn't throw him under the bus. Its good to get the views of another head coach.
If Lavy does indeed change him system just a little bit to actually try to play defense then we will see Bryz return to form consistently and be worth his contract.
Honestly, what a lot of you say (and consequently what he says) is wrong.
If this system was so inept defensively then Leighton wouldn't have put up great numbers under Laviolette and Bobrovsky would not be putting up consistently strong numbers again this season.
Bryzgalov has had a few strong games since the Winter Classic. I'll admit that he's getting better.
However, we saw with our own eyes how terrible he's been.
If it looks like a Leighton, is out of position like a Leighton, gives up horrible rebounds like a Leighton, does not hug the post like a Leighton, and gets beat on routine saves like a Leighton...it must be a Leighton.
It's up to Bryzgalov to continue to get better. We all know he's a better goalie than that. Blaming the defense is just a cop out. We're one of the best in terms of giving up limited shots per game.
Q: Bryzgalov seems to have troubles with his game lately.
A: I talked to him, saw him playing. He looked confident and reliable. My understanding is not everything is up to him; there are forwards and defensemen, and team defense system. Iliya is not capable of protecting the goal alone without team’s help. I have to consider these issues when I evaluate a goalie performance. I liked what I saw.
It must have been hard for him to say the above with a straight face.
So who's going to win this battle? Lavi, who has a very offensive way of coaching or Bryz, who isn't doing well because of Lavi's style. Something has to give.
So who's going to win this battle? Lavi, who has a very offensive way of coaching or Bryz, who isn't doing well because of Lavi's style. Something has to give.
Yeah. Letting in a bunch of point shots, weak deflections and behind the net shots in is because the system is too offensively minded.
If it looks like a Leighton, is out of position like a Leighton, gives up horrible rebounds like a Leighton, does not hug the post like a Leighton, and gets beat on routine saves like a Leighton...it must be a Leighton.
If his name is Bryzgalov and he plays like Leighton, has Leightons numbers and goes to the Stanley Cup, he will go down as the greatest Flyer goalie since Bernie Parent.
16-5-2 with a 2.48 GAA and a .918 save percentage the rest of the way, then into the playoffs 8-3, 3 shutouts, 2.46 GAA with a .916 GAA.
If Bryzgalov has the second half and playoffs Leighton had we may win the cup this year.
Honestly, what a lot of you say (and consequently what he says) is wrong.
If this system was so inept defensively then Leighton wouldn't have put up great numbers under Laviolette and Bobrovsky would not be putting up consistently strong numbers again this season.
Bryzgalov has had a few strong games since the Winter Classic. I'll admit that he's getting better.
However, we saw with our own eyes how terrible he's been.
If it looks like a Leighton, is out of position like a Leighton, gives up horrible rebounds like a Leighton, does not hug the post like a Leighton, and gets beat on routine saves like a Leighton...it must be a Leighton.
It's up to Bryzgalov to continue to get better. We all know he's a better goalie than that. Blaming the defense is just a cop out. We're one of the best in terms of giving up limited shots per game.
I still believe that the defense played with their hair on fire for Leighton. They played far above their abilities, which is saying a lot considering the personnel we have/had. There seemed to be a concerted effort to keep the shot lanes open for clear vision, and to clear out the fat rebounds Leighton would leave.
Interesting article......Although the left leaning political stuff at the bottom about Romney was not really needed ? Nothing on Obama and his crowd ?.........PS, I am not a Dem or Republican both are much too liberal.
Interesting article......Although the left leaning political stuff at the bottom about Romney was not really needed ? Nothing on Obama and his crowd ?.........PS, I am not a Dem or Republican both are much too liberal.
Its been removed now.....Probably was not put there by the poster, but when i clicked on the article it had an interesting political hit piece at the bottom.....LOL That's the computer universe i suppose ?
Honestly, what a lot of you say (and consequently what he says) is wrong.
If this system was so inept defensively then Leighton wouldn't have put up great numbers under Laviolette and Bobrovsky would not be putting up consistently strong numbers again this season.
Bryzgalov has had a few strong games since the Winter Classic. I'll admit that he's getting better.
However, we saw with our own eyes how terrible he's been.
If it looks like a Leighton, is out of position like a Leighton, gives up horrible rebounds like a Leighton, does not hug the post like a Leighton, and gets beat on routine saves like a Leighton...it must be a Leighton.
It's up to Bryzgalov to continue to get better. We all know he's a better goalie than that. Blaming the defense is just a cop out. We're one of the best in terms of giving up limited shots per game.
We disagree on a lot, but when Chris is right, he's right. Full cosign from me on that whole post.
I still believe that the defense played with their hair on fire for Leighton. They played far above their abilities, which is saying a lot considering the personnel we have/had. There seemed to be a concerted effort to keep the shot lanes open for clear vision, and to clear out the fat rebounds Leighton would leave.
This. Its on the forwards too. And this was mostly the case agianst CHI, but they could roll 3 scoring lines and we had to play 5-6 pair...leighton would get beat.
Even this year...when the team has this effort we generally win. Bob played solid vs NYI but the team in front was bad (effort) and he gave up 3.
I really wish there were more stats made public/generated...quality or location of the shot is a missing one IMO.
This. Its on the forwards too. And this was mostly the case agianst CHI, but they could roll 3 scoring lines and we had to play 5-6 pair...leighton would get beat.
Even this year...when the team has this effort we generally win. Bob played solid vs NYI but the team in front was bad (effort) and he gave up 3.
I really wish there were more stats made public/generated...quality or location of the shot is a missing one IMO.
exactly, not to menion why too many turnovers too which is a big problem for this team this year, and there's no defender on the other side of goalie to clear out rebounds for brezzy or bob, every goal i see that's no players defending the crease, which causes deflections and rebound goals,
it's poor defensive play, cant play that which is why the flyers need another defender, they need a pronger type of player, doesnt have to be a top player but a player that plays like pronger.
Honestly, what a lot of you say (and consequently what he says) is wrong.
If this system was so inept defensively then Leighton wouldn't have put up great numbers under Laviolette and Bobrovsky would not be putting up consistently strong numbers again this season.
Bryzgalov has had a few strong games since the Winter Classic. I'll admit that he's getting better.
However, we saw with our own eyes how terrible he's been.
If it looks like a Leighton, is out of position like a Leighton, gives up horrible rebounds like a Leighton, does not hug the post like a Leighton, and gets beat on routine saves like a Leighton...it must be a Leighton.
It's up to Bryzgalov to continue to get better. We all know he's a better goalie than that. Blaming the defense is just a cop out. We're one of the best in terms of giving up limited shots per game.
My eyes see it differently than yours.
I think team defense and goaltending have a VERY symbiotic relationship.
Q: Bryzgalov seems to have troubles with his game lately.
A: I talked to him, saw him playing. He looked confident and reliable. My understanding is not everything is up to him; there are forwards and defensemen, and team defense system. Iliya is not capable of protecting the goal alone without team’s help. I have to consider these issues when I evaluate a goalie performance. I liked what I saw.
It must have been hard for him to say the above with a straight face.
He did not have to keep a "straight face". He came here to evaluate Russian NHL players for the Russian National team. He provided his opinion to the Russian news paper. I do not think he was worried too much about Bryz's sensitivity or about Philadelphia Flyers fans' opinion.
He has plenty of goalies to work with if Bryz does not poan out. I also need to add that he was not enthusiastic about Varlamov.
