Bryzgalov would play in Russia during lockout
Daily News Flyers blog
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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jpb,
You aren't the only one who likes Bryz. Philly fans are gigantic a-holes when it comes to goaltending. Hell, has a goalie ever come out of the Philadelphia area? No. Yet everyone in Philly seems to be a goaltending expert. You'd think that it was a goaltending hotbed that turned out NHL caliber goalies every season. I love the Flyers and have since I was 5 but I can't stand that arrogance of many of the fans when it comes to goaltending. Bryz had a sub par season for him. That happens. Especially when the team is trying to play pond hockey every night. Give the guy a chance to get adjusted to the system. He's a smart guy. I think that's another problem. He started talking philosophy to a bunch of neanderthals. Bad move. They just turn their heads sideways like a dog hearing a dog whistle then get agitated because they don't understand what was said. The fact is that this goalie can be great. Having a solid defense that doesn't allow 5 breakaways a game will help. Bryz is a great goalie and a good guy. The philly fans pride themselves on being tough but it's gotten to the point where they aren't knowledgeably tough, they're cluelessly aggressive. Here's to a great season for Bryz and the boys and hopefully Weber!— crossefire00- Work stoppage,work stoppage,work stoppage....... yeah,yeah,yeah !!!!!!!! Where is Bouch when we really need him ?????— jeromie
- Go Bryz!! a class guy unlike most of these slobs..— onetimer
- That was a refreshing interview.The man has opinions, he is intelligent and he is honest. I hope that next year, he comes in with a clear objective as to how he needs to play. Also, do not blame him for the leaky defense in front of him. There were so many opponents in front of the Flyers net that I thought Bryz must have been handing out Dove Bars to the opposition. If the Weber trade is completed, I think you will see a few less shots and a few more opposition bodies hitting the ice. He and Luke Schenn will give the Flyers' defense a needed boost that they lost when Pronger went down. .Inhockey, no one factor is to blame. Bryz obviously is not able to lay alone out there. I now worry most what the loss of Jagr will do to the top line.— gotedge
- Bryz wasn't what we expected but can the critics just shut their yap at least in the off-season? Let this guy get his game back on. If we get Webber, and looking at the rest of the defense, the opposition will have a hard time getting near Bryz or even having shooting lanes.— aNutter1inDgutter
- Bryz will rip it up this year!— phoreverphilly
- Can't he just shut up and go away?— santina
- If Weber signs here and we need to hide a contract with the Phantomns I know just the contract....BYE BYE BRYZ.....this guy is an awful goaltender and a clown...he doesnt go side to side well..cant handle the puck...gives up ton of soft goals...gives up early goals..cant concentrate for 60 minutes...but he does give funny interviews...we will win nothing with this clown in net ..NOTHING...anyone who still believes this guy is going to turn it around is kidding themselves...— flyers1000
- He's just brutal. Stay in Russa, run your litte goalie camp, make your silly comments, just don't come back to Philly. I'm so over his act.— Flimbis
- I'd love to hear at least one athlete say something like "in light of the economy which has ravaged many families due to losing jobs, prevented other workers from getting any raises in 5 years, I feel fortunate to be a pro and if they cut the players share, so be it."— retzlaff
- It's sad the Flyers don't have a real goalie. This idiot is a loser.— Pete60
- He will always stink as a goaltender..If I was the Flyers owner I would tell him were not going to pay you and that were deporting you back to Russia and so you can cry to Putin that your not getting payed back in the U.S...:)~— TheRod
- Bryz STUNK in all but one month last season.Anyone who didn't see that wasn't looking. (HTML deleted)— VicM
- I liked all of Bryz's answers. Seems to be on the right track. I would probobly be in Barbados with the wife, kids, and a nanny to watch the kids while I put one on net. Just sayin.— NYPHILLYPHAN
- I watched him play for Phoenix. He is better than he showed last year. His own evaluation is that he is not happy with his season...then how could the fans be happy with it?
This past season was a mystery all around. Florida, certainly the weakest team to make the playoffs, took the Devils to Game 7. The Devils were plain lucky to survive. The Flyers beat the favorite, who still could beat everyone else. Then the lucky Devils beat the Flyers, and then the Rangers, who totally had the Flyers number (but who knows what would have happened?)
The Kings were one point away from being seeded third, but wound up eighth. Then they proceeded to thump the two highest western teams and had a more difficult time with Phoenix.
And Hartnell had his skates under him more often than not. Very strange season.— Cazptain Philadelphia - Actions speak louder than words. Bryz needs to back up his big talk with that stellar play he's being paid to do. Until then all this is blah blah blah...— Fly Guy
- Most Russian goalies are head cases. This guy just wants to collect a paycheck and divert attention to the fact that he is not that good.......similar to Obama— Richardgozinya
- Bryz you're the man, some of us love you.
— mrh1955 - http://lakingsinsider.com/2012/07/18/player-evaluation-richards/— petemagoop
- 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
- 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
- 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
- I wonder if he teaches his lack of technique and fundamentally unsound mechanics at his goalie school....— Mike Boryla
- 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
- Haha...Bryz running a goalie summer camp is like phila having an honest city council.— Bill E. Penn
- 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
- Bryzgalov running a summer goaltending school for aspiring hockey players???
Iguodala running a summer shooting clinic? Rollins holding a bunting clinic?
— tkohl - 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
- 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
- mvandei.- Thats what i was going to say. I dont see how he can get worse!— huntnmike3666
- Areaman. Thats priceless! You read my mind!— Boston Flyer
- 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
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...- 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
