Report: Vokoun contacted by Flyers?

From the Edmonton Journal:

According to (Czech newspaper) Mlada fronta Dnes, Vokoun has heard from Philadelphia where the club is trying to decide whether to hire Ilya Bryzgalov whose rights it had obtained from the Phoenix Coyotes, or look elsewhere (such as Vokoun) instead, and from the Coyotes who would like to replace the spot left by Bryzgalov’s departure.

"I would not be displeased if I got a good offer from Floria and accepted it," the paper quotes Vokoun as saying. "But if I happen to get an offer from a team that might have a chance to challenge for the Stanley Cup, now, that might be irresistible."

He's "heard from Philadelphia"? Did the Panthers permit such a communication between a rival club and an asset currently under contract?

UPDATE: this is an evolving "story"; we have info requests dispatched to several relevant parties seeking clarification, so stay tuned.

11 months ago Donny Rivette 41 comments 0 recs |

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trade him

do it now! milk philly!

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by JMarushin on Jun 16, 2011 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

hmmm…. anybody thinking a trade composed of Vokoun’s rights for Bryzgalov’s rights and maybe a draft pick or a player??? we do have the cap space to sign Bryzgalov no matter how much he wants (although obvoiously not too high)

- Go Panthers -

by flpanther360 on Jun 16, 2011 10:09 PM EDT reply actions

I’d rather have Vokoun.

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by Donny Rivette on Jun 16, 2011 10:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Bryzgalov is younger, (31?) and while he may not be quite as good, he’s still a very solid goalie. I don’t think it’s too black and white of a decision.

by Holy Jokinen on Jun 16, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Vokoun is way better

Bryzgalov is coming from a very defensive team in Phoenix and the results will not be the same if he came to Florida. #KeepVokoun

by Alexander Calloway on Jun 16, 2011 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s funny, everybody in Philly is saying the Coyotes had a crap defense.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Jun 17, 2011 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Vokoun needs to stay! With a few guys who can score goals, we will win a lot more! I don't think he wants to leave anyone!!! Let's get something done before the draft!

Dara

by gravenger5 on Jun 16, 2011 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

+1

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by Chris S Roberts on Jun 16, 2011 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions

About the legitimacy of this article, I dont really buy it. We knew PHI would go after one of the two, but they gave up a good deal for Bryz’s rights

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by Chris S Roberts on Jun 16, 2011 10:36 PM EDT reply actions

Still, we’re staring at a tampering charge here, if at all true.

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by Donny Rivette on Jun 16, 2011 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Tallon probably has let him talk in hopes they can get some kind of compensation

by Craig Fischer on Jun 17, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Now I'm confused...

…Where in this (translated version) does he say PHI contacted him?

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by Donny Rivette on Jun 16, 2011 10:50 PM EDT reply actions

The NHL already appear first speculation and insider information about which clubs have a nearly thirty-five goalie interest. Philadelphia will probably be decided between him and Ilya Bryzgalov. Another option is to just Bryzgalovův current team from Phoenix, has also reportedly interested in Colorado.

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by Donny Rivette on Jun 16, 2011 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s a long way from “contacted”.

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by Donny Rivette on Jun 16, 2011 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Wasnt it Phily that offered a third round pick for Vokoun at the trade deadline. I wouldnt do business with Philly unless last resort….

by Hawkseye on Jun 16, 2011 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Was Vokoun being a smartass when he mentioned ‘Colorado’ as a contender team he would go to? The Blues and Coyotes have better rosters than the Avs at this point

I can see Vokoun going to Philly because he will be a cheaper option. Brygalov will command big money, even in period of teams penny pinching for goalies

by AnusPresley on Jun 16, 2011 11:08 PM EDT reply actions

Was Vokoun being a smartass when he mentioned ‘Colorado’ as a contender team he would go to?

None of that was in the original – and currently posted – (Czech) story. I’m looking into it.

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by Donny Rivette on Jun 16, 2011 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder if that wasn’t referring to Bryzgalov having interest in colorado

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by Chris S Roberts on Jun 16, 2011 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

COL should have a huge interest in Vokoun for obvious reasons. I’m more concerned about discrepancies between the Edmonton Journal story and the original post.

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by Donny Rivette on Jun 16, 2011 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I would piss myself if Voky got traded to COL for say TJ Galiardi

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by Chris S Roberts on Jun 17, 2011 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't see Phoenix signing him

If they could sign Vokoun, they wouldn’t have traded Bryzgalov.

by Alexander Calloway on Jun 17, 2011 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions

I have the impression, Bryzzie is lookin for like $5 or more per for 5 yrs and with Bobs there, they’re not lookin to commit for that length, where as, they know Vokoun might sign for two or three and possibly at a lower dollar figure. And I think the belief is, with the offensive potential in Colorado and a talented goalie backstopping the defense, they’re more playoff ready than most think.

I knew Philly would come callin tho.

by MrOmnipotent on Jun 17, 2011 2:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Philly will gladly extend the length to get the cap hit down. They’ve done it often (Pronger, Carter, Briere, etc.)

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by Geoff Detweiler on Jun 17, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe if they got the cap hit down to $3 or $4 mil per, but I don’t see Bryzzie goin that low presently. I don’t see him signing for more than 5 years, or for less than $5 per, and that cap figure seems to be too much for the Flyers presently, without sacrificing Carter, And yes, I know this is something they are tryin to NOT do.

by MrOmnipotent on Jun 17, 2011 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s all speculation, but many people see Versteeg and Carle being moved (That’s $6.5 mil committed to next season gone) to afford it. So I’m sure the sticking point is getting his cap hit at $5.5 mil or less, regardless of length.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Jun 17, 2011 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess it will cost some $$$ to obtain Bryzgalov if the story is true..

by Hawkseye on Jun 16, 2011 11:52 PM EDT reply actions

Either way, Philly will get a top ten goalie this offseason. Bryz is probably their first preference, followed by Vokoun

Tim Thomas is a huge reason Boston wins the Cup = superstar goalies are now back in fashion !

by AnusPresley on Jun 17, 2011 4:46 AM EDT reply actions

Thomas is ONLY a star goalie because he won the Cup in the fashion he did. Lets not forget, he lost his starting job a year ago after winning a Vezina. He’s never been able to keep a starting job long enough, which made him a nobody up until recently. Similar to Roloson.

by MrOmnipotent on Jun 17, 2011 5:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I compare Tim Thomas directly to Osgood, good goalie with a couple of fantastic seasons that seem unusual compared to the rest of the body of work. He is not a “superstar” goalie. I think you need to refer to guys like Ryan Miller or Luongo to say “superstar” goalies.

While Philly has a good team, I’d beware them if I was Tomas. They’re fans are notoriously unforgiving (sorry Johnny), and if he has one of his infamous mental lapses and lets in a couple bad ones, they’re going to heap on him. Kind of like Toronto and McCabe.

by badger737 on Jun 17, 2011 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

While Philly has a good team, I’d beware them if I was Tomas. They’re fans are notoriously unforgiving (sorry Johnny), and if he has one of his infamous mental lapses and lets in a couple bad ones, they’re going to heap on him. Kind of like Toronto and McCabe.

Nah, that’s certainly true. That’s one comment on Flyers fans I’ll never disagree with. I was in the building when they got shut out by the Panthers 5-0 at home in December. Of course that’s true to a lesser extent here as well. How many times have the Panthers faithful booed the team off the ice after a bad second period?

Anyway, if the story is true, which is in more than some doubt, the Flyers aren’t stupid enough to talk to him without calling the Panthers first, and it sounds a lot more like some Czech journalist called up Vokoun and threw some possible teams at him, since he hasn’t signed with the Cats again (yet) and some lazy journalists in Edmonton with a bad translation filled in some gaps that they shouldn’t have. Shocking.

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by John Beatty on Jun 17, 2011 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions

some lazy journalists in Edmonton with a bad translation filled in some gaps

That’s what this is shaping up to be. Which is a travesty.

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by Donny Rivette on Jun 17, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Indeed.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Jun 17, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Thomas lost the starting job in 2009-2010 season due to his hip injury. Totally wrecked his game. Otherwise he would have been putting up big numbers again, just like the year before and this year

by AnusPresley on Jun 17, 2011 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Tim Thomas Effect

I think after watching an older goalie (Thomas) win the cup I believe Vokoun may think he has a chance with a team more geared to win the cup either next year or the following year. I won’t hold it against him. After watching former teamates such as Horton and Campbell win the cup, he has a tough decision to make. I believe if Florida offers him a good deal but then a present cup contender offers one a little less he will go with the cup contender. He likes it here but I think he does want to win before he retires. If I were Florida I would start looking at Plan B when it comes to goaltending. Maybe signing a solid back to share time with Clemmer

by Vernon H on Jun 17, 2011 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

Exactly, look at Dwayne Roloson. Age isn’t everything in the SCF

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by Chris S Roberts on Jun 17, 2011 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Denver Post/Avs

Here’s the Dater story, which includes an interesting line about COL GM Greg Sherman:

It would be tampering, of course, if he knew he already had a deal with Vokoun assured – and of course I’m not suggesting that’s happened. It just seemed to me that Sherman looked like a guy who already knew what will happen regarding the goalie.

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by Donny Rivette on Jun 17, 2011 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

Only Greg Sherman’s blank stare could pass as face riddled with deep thoughts.

Best comment:

Adrian, when does Greg Sherman (or anyone from the Avs organ-i-zation) ever look worried?

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by Chris S Roberts on Jun 17, 2011 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Also in the comment section:

I am Polish and can read a bit Czech and I’m telling you that edmonton journal guy made a translation which is even worse than the Google Translator.
Vokoun is never saying Avs could be a cup contender soon, he is saying he would mostly like to re-sign in Florida or sign with the Flyers.
Further on he’s saying Phoenix and Colorado might be other options as well.

I have been an Avs fan since they came to Denver. I also speak Czech.

I read the article in the Czech online paper (link below) and it unfortunately does NOT say he is interested in Colorado and it does NOT say he thinks Colorado can win the Cup. The CZ writer simply states that Phoneix and Colorado are likely to have an interest in Vokoun.

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When Olesz skates, empires will fall
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by Chris S Roberts on Jun 17, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions