The Flyers then signed Russian goalie Bryzgalov to a 9 year, $51 million deal. The Flyers were 11th in goals allowed last year, and used three different goalies in the playoffs, never being able to settle on a true #1. Bryzgalov is a solid, 31 year old goalie and answers Philadelphia's biggest question going into the 2011-12 season.
But I think the size of the deal is a bit much for just a solid goalie like Bryzgalov. He's capable of brilliance, he recorded 7 shutouts this year. And he doesn't have Luongonian style meltdowns. But he's just not that great. Not for a $51 million commitment, at least.
The Flyers need a goalie, so I understand. It is funny, though. After last season, everyone thought that goaltending was an overrated commodity. The Cup winning goalie - Antti Niemi - got a 4 year, $15.2 million deal after the Blackhawks won it all last year. People thought that so long as your goalie wasn't a liability, and stopped the standard shots, then it didn't matter who he was. How things change.
I wonder if Tim Thomas will get a commission from Bryzgalov's deal.
-The Commodore
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