Bryzgalov Says Deal Could Come As Soon As Tuesday
Things are about to heat up for the Flyers and Ilya Bryzgalov. The Russian turns 31 on Wednesday and could be getting a very lofty gift from Philadelphia with love.
Bryzgalov told sports.ru that “everything was constructive and we understood each other,” in recent negotiations. He added that a deal could come as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday this week and that the ball is apparently in the Flyers’ court.
The goalie came to Philadelphia last week to kickstart negotiations on Thursday. On Friday, the Flyers showed him and his wife the town. One day of negotiations seems like a short time to work out what could potentially be a complicated deal, but both sides seemed optimistic that a deal would get done.
“We have spoken with Ilya and his agent Ritch Winter about many different scenarios,” Paul Holmgren said in a statement on Friday. “As for now, we both know each other’s position and have agreed to speak again next week.”
Winter declined to comment, telling Philly Sports Daily on more than one occasion that he will be “radio silent” until a deal is done.
Bryzgalov went 36-20-10 for the Coyotes this season with a .921 save percentage and 248 goals-against average.
The Flyers have exclusive negotiating rights with Bryzgalov until July 1, but they will have to clear salary cap before they can formally sign a contract.
The two parties could announce that they’ve agreed to terms before making such a cap-clearing move, but that could potentially handicap the Flyers in negotiating trades with other teams.
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