Philadelphia Flyers disappointed, expect more from Ilya Bryzgalov next season -NHL Update
Not ending the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season off as the fifth place team in the Eastern Conference was one thing but being eliminated by sixth seeded New Jersey Devils in just five games in the playoff semi-finals was certainly a
huge disappointment.
Philadelphia Flyers general manager, Paul Holmgren, came out into the open for the first time on Thursday, May 10, 2012, ever since his team was eliminated by New Jersey and expressed his displeasure in not only the team overall but especially in veteran
goalie, Ilya Bryzgalov.
"His job is to stop pucks and help us win games," GM Holmgren said. "It's not Comedy Central."
Wanting to leave the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2011 offseason, Philadelphia saw hope in Bryzgalov and hoped for an end to their goaltending woes by signing him on to a mega nine-year contract with a whopping $51 million, but now, Holmgren and the Flyers
are having second thoughts for sure.
"Did he play as good as I expected this year," Holmgren asked. "I'd probably say, no."
With that said, the general manager expressed hope in the goalie by staying optimistic for the upcoming season and confident that Bryzgalov will finally manage to impress and live up to his reputation.
"I think Ilya has learned some things from one year in Philadelphia," Holmgren added. "He's learned a lot of things, and we'll see a different person next year. I think we'll certainly see a different goaltender."
Philadelphia’s Scott Hartnell also agreed with Holmgren that Bryzgalov will eventually come out stronger next year.
"I think everyone could see the last half of the year and the playoffs, he was as good as anyone there is out there," Hartnell said. "I'm confident in Bryz and I think he'll feel a bit more comfortable next year."
Ilya Bryzgalov ended off the regular season with a .909 save percentage and 2.48 goals-against average but it was a whole different story in the postseason as he put up a .887 save percentage and 3.46 goals-against average.
It will be interesting to see how the veteran goalie performs next time around with all that pressure on his shoulders.
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