Bryzgalov back in the NHL

Ilya Bryzgalov, the goalie that was supposed to be the finishing piece to a Stanley Cup puzzle for the Flyers, is finally back in the NHL.

The netminder turned cosmonaut's tenure in Philly (if you can even call it that) went down in flames just two years into a nine-year, $51 million contract when the Flyers chose to buy out the remaining seven years in an attempt to upgrade at the position.

"It's out of my control if they decide to buy me out," Bryzgalov told TSN. "I just have to accept it and move on. I had a great time."

After spending a few months in hockey limbo, Bryzgalov resurfaced with the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL before eventually signing a one-year, $2 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers, where he was immediately sent to the AHL to get back in game-shape.

Despite giving up five goals in his first game back, he was recalled just one start later to serve as a back-up to Devan Dubnyk. More from TSN:

"Despite reporters firing questions about the end of his tenure with the Philadelphia Flyers and previous comments comparing Edmonton's weather to the North Pole, Bryzgalov wanted to focus on the positives after his first practice with the Oilers.

Bryzgalov quipped that he was able to make the most of his downtime while not attending an NHL training camp and even found some upside in the Flyers buyout."

Fortunately for Bryzgalov, the Oilers have already made their trip to the Wells Fargo Center this year. But now a country away from his former team, the former Stanley Cup winner and Vezina finalist will attempt to return to his old form.

Maybe 2,000 miles will finally be enough distance to drown out the boos.

For the full story from TSN, click here.