Bryzgaloz aims high with new team

In the 2011 off-season, the Philadelphia Flyers completed a huge trade in a quest to find a goaltender that would occupy the number one spot for the majority of a season.

Although making the Stanley Cup final in 2010, both of the Flyers’ goalies struggled to gain consistency in performance and therefore were swapped around on many occasions. However, the franchise from Pennsylvania firmly believes that they have found their man in 6ft 3in Russian Ilya Bryzgalov, who boasts eight seasons of NHL hockey.

The Flyers also took quite a big risk in bringing the Russian to Philadelphia for 9 years on a $51 million contract. Mike Richards, the Flyers’ star centre and captain was sent to Los Angeles and the big Canadian centre Jeff Carter was sent over the border to Columbus. In return, the Flyers received Jakub Voracek and Wayne Simmonds plus Brayden Schenn respectively, with a few draft picks thrown in as well.

With the loss of both Richards and Carter, the Flyers will lose at least 100 points from them and 12 seasons of NHL hockey experience. With the Flyers’ new recruits and current players such as Giroux, Pronger and of course the great Jaromir Jagr, Ilya Bryzgalov feels his new side have the capability of recording 40 wins with himself between the pipes during the 2011-12 campaign.

In a recent press conference with the Russian goaltender, he spoke about his hopes of the season ahead; “When you play a lot, you feel confident about your game, if they need me to play 70 games, I’ll play 70. If they need me to play 50, I’ll play 50. So it all depends on the coach and management … whatever they need.” Bryzgalov is obviously keen to play as many games as possible with the Flyers but he obviously knows that at the end of the day it is down to how much the management want him to play.

Ilya also spoke about his 40 win quest in the interview; “A couple of years ago I won 40 games, and I’d hope to reach that total. This is a new organization, a new life and there are new expectations.”

In the 2010-11 season, Philadelphia finished with a record of 47-23-12 which was good enough to secure them first in the Atlantic division and second in the Eastern conference, just one point behind the Capitals. After a Stanley Cup final appearance in the previous season, Flyers fans had high expectations entering the 2011 playoffs but were let down as they suffered a whitewash to the Boston Bruins in the conference semi-finals.

With an experienced goaltender and  a few new recruits including the hugely experienced Czech Jaromir Jagr, Philadelphia fans will be optimistic of success next season.

We will gain an early estimation of the Flyers’ title hopes as they play the Boston, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Washing and Montreal all in the first month – a very, very tough start. Philadelphia kick off their campaign against the title holders the Boston Bruins on October 6 at TD Garden. It should be a mouth-watering contest so be sure to watch it!