I almost feel bad for Ed Snider, having to release a statement in response to a Russian thanking him for getting paid $23 million to go away. It’s like the complete opposite of the Soviet Red Army Game in 1976.

Mr. Snider?

“I fully support Paul Holmgren in his decision to use our final compliance buyout for Ilya Bryzgalov,” Snider said. “It was a very difficult decision from a financial standpoint, but if Bryz remained a Flyer, the dollars would be far greater in a shorter time frame. We now have cap space, which will allow us to improve our team.

“In the meantime, Bryz can try to find a situation where he can achieve true happiness.”

Well, that makes sense. Why pay the guy to play when you can just pay him not to play until after your wife turns 22?

The Flyers are never going to win with Ed Snider.