|
Bryzgalov on waivers - Updated |
|
|
|
|
|
As I first reported on PuckPodcast.com the rumors out of the Anaheim locker room after their 6-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night is that the Ducks will place goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov on waivers This has not yet been confirmed by the Ducks but stay tuned for more information.
Bryzgalov is 27-years old, 2-3-1 on the year with a 2.55 GAA and a .909 SV%. He's in the last year of his contract making $1.3 million and will be an UFA after this season.
Earlier in the day the Ducks recalled goalie Jonas Hiller from their AHL affiliate in Portland.
*************************
Update: What I first reported is now the talk of the league. Ilya Bryzgalov is on waivers and could be claimed by another team at any time. If he is not claimed by 9am PT on Saturday, which is very doubtful, he will be assigned to the Ducks AHL affiliate in Portland, Maine.
Here's what Ducks General Manager Brian Burke had to say, courtesy of the Orange County Register:
"We're making this move, first and foremost, to give Ilya Bryzgalov a chance to play. He's a good guy who's played well for us, but we've committed to the other goaltender. I've been unable to move Ilya in a trade. I've laid it out for his agent (Don Meehan), and told him we would take this next step. We'll see where it goes."
Burke added the following, courtesy of Canadian Press:
"What I promised Bryz is that I would find him a place to play. Bryz is a great kid and a loyal soldier. He’s won three playoff rounds for us and he deserves to play somewhere. But I was unable to move him. The single, biggest obstacle was that he’s unrestricted at the end of the year. I wasn’t offered anything of value for him. But I promised him, 'If I can’t get something of value for you, we’ll put you on waivers.'"
The Ducks will now go with starter J.S. Giguere and back-up Jonas Hiller who they signed as a free agent from the Swiss League this past summer. Burke had this to say about Hiller, again, courtesy of the Orange County Register:
"We're committed to Jonas Hiller. We think he's the real deal."
Hiller played in two games for the Ducks earlier this season while Giguere was still recovering from a sports hernia. He went 1-1 in two starts with a 3.02 GAA and .885 SV%. In Portland this year Hiller was 3-2-1 with a 2.11 GAA and .929 SV%. Hiller is 25-years old and is making $850,000 with a potential additional $2.35 million in bonuses.
Join the Discussion:
»