Source: Bryzgalov would love to be a Flyer

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Sunday, May 15, 2011
Posted: 2:23 p.m.Updated: 7:33 p.m.

By Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- The talk over the next month leading up to free agency for the Flyers is going to center around finding an established goalie to be the clubs new No. 1 next season.

According to one league source, Phoenixs Ilya Bryzgalov might be a perfect fit for the Flyers.

Bryzgalov won 36 games for the Coyotes last season, posting a 2.48 GAA and a .921 save percentage.

The source, who is intimately familiar with the Russian, who turns 31 just days before he becomes a free agent, says Bryzgalov would relish becoming a Flyer.

He would love the adulation hed get in Philadelphia, the source said. This is a big guy, who plays back in the net and can play a lot of games for the Flyers. Phoenix and the Flyers have had some talks this season about trades, including Jeff Carter.

Phoenix needs some significant help up the middle with Kyle Turris. Theyve talked to Philadelphia about trading for Carter to achieve that. Maybe they do that. Philadelphia has to move salary. You need to clear about 5.5 million to bring Bryzgalov to Philly, if hes their guy.

It might be bad for the Flyers, but interestingly, Bryzgalov just changed agents, signing on with Rich Winter, who is likely looking to make a killing for his new client.

As for using Bryzgalovs Russian roots as a mentor for young Flyer goalie Sergie Bobrovsky, the source said that Bryzgalovs personality might not be ideally suited for that.

I dont know if this is the guy you want doing that, the source said. The one thing with Ilya, is that he sometimes gets off his game and can get a little goofy on you, and you have to sit him down and get him back on the path. You might not want that as a tutor for your younger goalie.

Bryzgalov is among a laundry list of goalies the Flyers are considering, including other free agents such as Tomas Vokoun, Evgeni Nabokov, a former free agent, who wont report to the Islanders and is going to have his contract tolled, plus two players who are not free agents, Miikka Kiprusoff and Niklas Backstrom.

E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net

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