Jan 7, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie lya Bryzgalov (80) grabs the puck against the New York Rangers during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
The professional tryout for Ilya Bryzgalov came at the end of a string of unexpected moves from Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray. The acquisitions of Rene Bourque, Eric Brewer, and Colby Robak felt like knee-jerk reactions from a GM who was trying to manage a roster ravaged by injuries. Signing Bryzgalov felt like another step in that direction.
Is there a case to be made for this signing? The Ducks were doing fine with Frederik Andersen. John Gibson and Jason LaBarbera were injured, but both were set to return at a similar time and were on the verge of being ready when the team made the signing. It’s only now that Bryzgalov seems like a suitable backup, while Gibson and LaBarbera sit in the AHL. Had Murray waited a week, he could have gone back to the duo of Andersen and Gibson without spending $2.88 million in cap space for Bryzgalov.
So that begs the question of why the Ducks signed him? What does this signing bring to the team that they didn’t have before?
Next: Further Development