The cure to Flyers goaltending woes lies on Ilya Bryzgalov
Photo courtesy of AP/Yahoo Sports
By: Tom Dougherty | Editorial | @todougherty
February hasn’t been kind to the Philadelphia Flyers. They’ve seen an abundance of problems come to fruition, going 3-5-1 in the shortest month of the calendar year.
You name it; it’s been a problem recently for the Flyers, except for goal scoring. That hasn’t taken a hit—they scored 31 goals in nine games. Defensive zone play has been atrocious by both the defenseman and the forwards. The lack of physicality has become noticeably worrisome and their special teams have been ineffective.
But those ailments can all be cured, and with the recent additions of Nick Grossman and Pavel Kubina, some of that should been treated. We’ll see.
The terminal illness on the team appears to be their goaltending. What do we know, I mean, we are talking about the Philadelphia Flyers. You know that one franchise with a long history of goaltending woes since the glory days of Bernie Parent—OK, had to put one of those “Philadelphia media clichés” in there somewhere.
That was supposed to be mended when general manager Paul Holmgren inked the former Vezina candidate Ilya Bryzgalov to the biggest goaltending contract this side of Rick DiPietro.
Let’s just say, it’s been a roller coaster of ups and downs with Bryzgalov in his new city. Mostly downs, not many ups.
Bryzgalov began his Flyers career with three tremendous efforts, including a shutout in his second game. Then, the roller coaster began. He lost five games in a row before winning three, losing one, winning two, losing one and then his season high six game win streak—his highest point.
Trendy, I know, and it’s continued throughout the season.
The $51 million goalie’s numbers are loathsome. Ironically, his 2.79 goals against average have him 51st amongst goaltenders in the league. Yet, he still gives up fewer goals than Buffalo’s Ryan Miller (2.80) and Carolina’s Cam Ward (2.81), but both are on far inferior teams.
His .900 save percentage is inexcusable for a No. 1 goalie in the NHL nonetheless a player being paid $10 million a year.
His confidence, well, there is no confidence with Bryzgalov right now. He’s been “lost in the woods” earlier in the year, and now, he claims he “will try to find peace in my soul to play in this city.”
Troublesome comments from a media-friendly character. Maybe, it’s time to ask the question: Is Ilya Bryzgalov capable of playing in a big-time hockey market?
That answer, we just don’t know yet. It’s simply way too early to decide that, with 100 percent certainty. After 40 games of the Bryzgalov era, it sure looks that way.
Bryzgalov played in Phoenix the last four years, and was one of the top goalies in the game. No questions asked. His numbers were on the complete opposite side of the spectrum that they are this season.
As bad as he has been this season, he was equally as great as a Coyote.
In Phoenix, Bryzgalov didn’t have to play for a team where its fan base dissected every goal he let in. A hockey market where there were only a handful of beat writers, and I believe I read somewhere the one reporter the Coyotes had, doesn’t even travel with the team.
Just like his numbers, the market in Philadelphia is the complete opposite. Philly is among the best sports cities in the States, and it rivals Detroit as one of the best U.S. based hockey markets.
The Philadelphia sports media has a reputation of not shying away from tearing its athletes a new one whenever it warrants such a reaction. They’re known for being unfair with their assessments sometimes, but the media fits the fan base.
To play in Philadelphia, you have to be able to take heat.
Bryzgalov is the type of athlete any journalist loves. He’s brutally honest, he’s a tad goofy and he’ll always provide you with a good quote.
But all signs are pointing towards him not being able to handle playing in a big-time hockey market.
Let’s get back to the issue at hand, the Flyers goaltending. It has been noticeably weak over the last few weeks, but until Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh, there have been excuses.
For example, defensive positioning, lack of physicality and a horrific penalty kill.
Photo courtesy of AP/Yahoo Sports
But, their 6-4 loss to the Penguins was all goaltending and it wasn’t just Bryzgalov.
The Flyers replaced Bryzgalov in the second period after he let in three goals that simply a starting goalie cannot let in, but his replacement, Sergei Bobrovsky, wasn’t much better.
He let in three goals as well, including two in the first two minutes of the third period.
Bobrovsky has seen struggles of his own recently. After a start to the season where he had many wondering when, not if, he would replace the disappointing Bryzgalov, Bob has fallen back down to earth.
As it looks right now, benching Bryzgalov for Bobrovsky doesn’t seem like a viable option.
In light of the ugly loss against their cross-state rival, rumors of trading Bryzgalov or Bobrovsky have come out of woodwork, especially in the Rick Nash sweepstakes where the Flyers appear to have heavy interest in the 40-goal scorer.
The chances of Bryzgalov being traded are as good as the chances of me marrying Emmanuelle Chriqui. Just ain’t gonna happen.
Not to mention, he has a no-movement clause in his contract he signed last July. Consider that nugget, on a scale of 0-10 on the chance-o-meter; Bryzgalov would be around a two—and, I’m being generous.
Simple terms, as if my analogy wasn’t crystal clear, I ask you this: Why would Bryzgalov waive his NMC seven months after choosing to sign in Philadelphia, after he picked out a house and planned for his family to settle down in for nearly the next decade?
On the other hand, trading Bobrovsky might be an option, but only if it nets the Flyers a player to Rick Nash’s caliber or someone who would considerably upgrade the team.
For argument’s sake, let’s say Bob gets traded to Columbus for Nash. Pure speculation. The Flyers would then add another goalie and some have mentioned Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov.
One explanation for Bryzgalov’s struggles could be that he’s looking over his shoulder with a goalie with as high of an upside as Bobrovsky has and it’s affecting his play so why would you want to bring in another goalie that’s been brilliant for the Islanders?
The Flyers have been down Nabokov Avenue, but he decided not to sign with the team.
The antidote to the Flyers goaltending problems lies within No. 30. If the Flyers are going to be a Stanley Cup contender, Ilya Bryzgalov is going to have to step up.
It’s that easy.
