Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Flyers GM Holmgren on Bryzgalov: “Ilya will be better next year”

Philadelphia Flyers v New Jersey Devils - Game Four

NEWARK, NJ - MAY 06: Ilya Bryzgalov #30 of the Philadelphia Flyers pauses during the closing minutes of a 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center on May 6, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Flyers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Flyers GM Paul Holmgren met with the media today and, as expected, fielded a number of questions about Ilya Bryzgalov. After Philly’s disappointing five game loss to New Jersey in the Eastern Conference semifinals -- a series in which Bryzgalov’s play came under fire -- Holmgren was asked to reflect on Bryz’s year and look ahead to his future.

Which the GM did...with confidence.

“I absolutely think being here a year will help him,” Holmgren said. “He had a lot of things to adjust to and adapt to. From playing in Philadelphia, the scrutiny of the media in Philadelphia compared to where he came from [Phoenix], the scrutiny of the fans compared to where he came from, different style of play...

“I don’t think there’s any question Ilya will be better next year.”

Video:

In closing, some numbers to throw your way...

2011-12, Bryzgalov regular season: 33-16-7, .909 save percentage, 2.48 GAA
2010-11, Sergei Bobrovsky regular season: 28-13-8, .915 save percentage, 2.54 GAA

2011-12, Bryzgalov postseason: 5-6, .887 save percentage, 3.46 GAA
2010-11, Brian Boucher postseason: 4-4, .904 save percentage, 3.13 GAA

...In light of those, Bryzgalov better be better next year. The Flyers can’t afford him to be worse.