Examining what Ilya Bryzgalov Brings to the Anaheim Ducks
By Paul Miller
Dec 19, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Anaheim Ducks goalie Ilya Bryzgalov (80) looks on during the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
1. Development for Gibson
One major benefit to the Bryzgalov signing is that Gibson gets more ice time. Prodigy. Champion. Phenom. No matter how Gibson is labeled and projected, he is still a 21 year-old goalie who has time and room to develop further. The best way to develop a young player is to give him more ice time. If he were to remain with Anaheim, he’d most likely be in a backup role at this point. Andersen has staked his claim to the number one spot and has given no reason for Boudreau to treat him otherwise.
Gibson would not get the minutes in Anaheim that he will playing in Norfolk. For a player his age and with his talent, playing in the AHL is not a terrible thing. Being patient with Gibson has its own benefits: failing to give a player ice time is harmful for development, but so is rushing a player along the development curve.
Next: Potentially Better Backup Situation