Bryzgalov would play in Russia during lockout
Ilya Bryzgalov is back in his native Russia, running a summer goaltending school for aspiring hockey players.
Bryzgalov would play in Russia during lockout
Ilya Bryzgalov is back in his native Russia, running a summer goaltending school for aspiring hockey players.
Bryzgalov caught up with Sovetsky Sport’s Pavel Lysenkov for an open and intriguing offseason interview, which was translated and published by Yahoo’s Puck Daddy blog. Bryzgalov opened up about his lockout plans, his upcoming season in Philadelphia, and his relationships with Jaromir Jagr, Claude Giroux and Sergei Bobrovsky.
Here is a quick excerpt, but head on over to Puck Daddy for the full Q & A session:
Sovetsky Sport: Did you recover from the season that you called the worst of your career in a memorable interview with Sovetsky Sport?
Bryzgalov: “I would like to clarify — the most "mixed" season. I did have stretches where I had shutouts, when I was showing the stats like in Phoenix, when everyone praised me. Philadelphia made it to the second round of the Stanley Cup… You can find the positives. But my personal rating is that I am not happy with the season.
“I would like to thank fans who fairly criticized me. I got to know the Philadelphia media. This is an invaluable experience that will certainly help me. But I cannot say that I have 'sport rage' now and the next season I will show who the real Bryzgalov is! I set certain goals for myself and I will work to reach them. Otherwise you can do so much bad if you're filled with emotions.”
SS: Did you hear about the conditions the NHL and club owners proposed in the new negotiations? To cut player share of the revenues from 57 to 46%, cut the maximum term of contracts to 5 years, get rid of signing bonuses… Your reaction?
Bryzgalov: “That's some impudence. I would only answer for myself — this variant is not acceptable. But maybe one of the players will be happy [and say] 'Wow! Great terms!’”
SS: Are you actively participating in the negotiations?
Bryzgalov: "[Scott] Hartnell and [Braydon] Coburn are representing Philadelphia in the negotiations. I don't go to those meetings. I have two young children, a goalie school, I need to get ready for the next season… There's no time for that in the summer."
SS: What terms would be acceptable for you?
Bryzgalov: "Let them keep things as they are now. But we need to put a fixed cap on escrow. For example, no more than 10 percent. I am talking about the insurance fund of the League that is funded by a great share of our salaries. Right now the percentage taken can be anything at all. And in the last few years the League didn't return some money to us."
SS: If there is a lockout, would all players go to Russia?
Bryzgalov: "I will. But I wouldn't talk for everyone. Some players like Switzerland, Germany… I cannot make any decisions about the KHL myself until September 15. The lockout won't be announced until that day. So I have a contract with Philadelphia."
SS: How did you feel about Jaromir Jagr leaving Philadelphia?
Bryzgalov: "Nothing at all. He left, so be it. He's a kind, open person, of course. We had a great relationship. But what can I do? Call Jaromir and yell 'What have you done? Come back, I will forgive everything!'?"
SS: Your colleague Sergei Bobrovsky was traded to Columbus. Do you feel about this the same way you do about Jagr leaving?
Bryzgalov: "No, this is different. A like-minded person, someone I could talk to in my native language about goaltending, life, politics, anything left the club. But I understand that this trade would only benefit Sergei. He wants to become a starter in the NHL very much."
SS: Was Bobrovsky a serious competition for you?
Bryzgalov: "I am not afraid of any competition. I'm not of that age anymore. And I never think of what my backup is like. Sergei is an able, talented guy. God willing his career turns out to be great."
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How about if there isn't a work stoppage? Can we still make him play in Russia? Can we just tell him there is a work stoppage?— AreaMan
Sadly, there will be a work stoppage. But television management will force the NHL owners to settle before the Winter Classic. I think Bryz is right, this year he's going to show us what he's made of...- Well, he cannot be any worse, for this would be just impossible for an NHL goalie to be worse than Bryz last season. Giroux would be better in the f..... net than Bryz last year. Cannot imagine any first goalie in this league play worse than Bryz last year. He was the worst first goalie last year, in the entire league. If he is worse than that next season.... flyers sellouts will start to be a history. It's hard to watch one player to f... up the game for the team. And he did that many times last year.— mvandei
- Areaman. Thats priceless! You read my mind!— Boston Flyer
- mvandei.- Thats what i was going to say. I dont see how he can get worse!— huntnmike3666
- Bryz talks a big game in the offseason. See last offseason when he said he wanted to bring a Cup to philly, blah, blah, blah...— Alycia Layn
- Let's be more supportive. He'll do great. Let's go Bryz. I haven't given up on you. Ignore the brutal Philly fans (and yes, I am one) and media and just play your game.— Cali7
- Bryzgalov running a summer goaltending school for aspiring hockey players???
Iguodala running a summer shooting clinic? Rollins holding a bunting clinic?
— tkohl - With Leighton as backup, I'm rooting harder than ever for Bryz! When a top level athlete has something to prove to the fans, and himself I gotta believe in him. He showed glimpses of brilliance last season, so I'm sure we'll see a greatly improved performance if this season ever gets off the ground.— FlyGuyJim
- Haha...Bryz running a goalie summer camp is like phila having an honest city council.— Bill E. Penn
- You will love him like you did last year during his great streak... Then you will jump off bandwagon, on bandwagon and back and forth.... Bryz will be just fine......When he plays well, don't forget to swallow when your......................— fman727
- I wonder if he teaches his lack of technique and fundamentally unsound mechanics at his goalie school....— Mike Boryla
- So Bryz cost them the Cup? Please the defense blow's and 68 did his best Houdini along with a few others. This team is to slow on the back end and one more man away on the front. Let the kid's play together one more year and find a Stud defense-man next year in UFA.— EDDYEDEAGLES
- Hasek would be a much better choice for Flyers ! Although 47 years old, Hasek for sure would wake up this sleepy lazy russian bear and could lit the fire from his 9 years hibernation in Philly... Hasek is known for his maniac work ethic, and his competitivness is legendary. Where is Hasek, there is a confidence ! Hasek is a winner and you don't lose that with the age. And the best part is, that he would come to Philly almost for free - about 1 mil per year. There is about 6 teams in hunt for him in the moment. I hope Homer is reading this...— Gideon68
- Am I the only one who likes Bryz, and likes him more every time he does one of these interviews? I think he's going to have a monster 2012-2013 season, and then all these haters will be buying "Bryz says NYET!" t-shirts.— jpb
