There’s a story over at CSN Philly today on what the Flyers could do to fit Ilya Bryzgalov without trading away Jeff Carter. It’s the same stuff we’ve been talking about — Scott Hartnell, Kris Versteeg, Matt Carle among those who could go, not really much new information.
But this line about Sergei Bobrovsky‘s future was what caught my eye:
It will be almost impossible for “Bob” to develop here as a backup if he is playing just 30 games a season. The Flyers have often looked out for prospects’ best interests when confronted with players being ready and nowhere to put them.
“Can’t see any other move there but to trade him,” the personnel guy said.
And knowing how Holmgren feels about Bobrovsky, a trade seems likely.
The idea that Bobrovsky can’t develop playing 30 games a year is kinda strange. That would leave about 50 games for Ilya Bryzgalov, and really, in my eyes, that’s the perfect share for right now.
Has Cory Schneider failed to develop in Vancouver, stuck behind Roberto Luongo and only playing 25 games a year? (In fact, he played 25 this past year and just 10 total in the two years prior.) Nope, and in fact, his value is high and he’s still in line to replace Luongo at some point. Granted it’s a bit different with years of AHL experience, college and all that under his belt. But still, the point holds.
Same could be said for Tuukka Rask, who can relate to Bobrovsky should Bryzgalov come in and take the starting gig after it seemed he was anointed. Rask has four years in North America, obviously more than Bob, but 30 games is still enough to learn and grow as a goaltender.
The problem for me is when we talk about Bryzgalov starting 65 or 70 games. Not only would he wear down quickly — and with a long contract, that’d be less than ideal — but Bob wouldn’t get enough time. Paul Holmgren has even said that “maybe he can play more than 70” games, and that would be a nightmare.
But if Bob plays 30 and Bryzgalov plays 50? Perfect.
