The Philadelphia Flyers appear to be taking the goaltender position seriously for the first time in over a decade.
The Flyers tonight acquired the negotiating rights of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov from the Phoenix Coyotes, inexchange for a 3rd round draft choice in 2012 and forward Matt Clackson, (a Pittsburgh native, who played in the Pittsburgh Hornets organization for several years.) Clackson is not signed for next season.
The Flyers though will have to get creative to sign Bryzgalav who is said to be looking for a deal in excess of $6 million per season.
Philadelphia has over $58 million committed to 18 players for the 2011-2012 season, according to capgeek.
One possible deal in the works? The Flyers have been in talks with the Columbus Blue Jackets about acquiring the 8th overall pick and sending an impact forward to Columbus, that would likely clear needed cap space for the team this off-season.
The Flyers last off-season also acquired the negotiating rights to defenseman Dan Hamhuis but failed to reach a deal and traded Hamhuis’ negotiating rights at the entry draft to Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2011 third round pick. Hamhuis ended up signing with the Vancouver Canucks.
Bryzgalov who will turn 31 in June, was 36-20-10 last season with a 2.48 GAA and .921 save percentage.