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Ilya Bryzgalov accepts tryout offer from Minnesota Wild

By Phil Watson

May 9, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Ilya Bryzgalov (30) makes a save during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks in game four of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Blackhawks 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Ilya Bryzgalov (30) makes a save during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks in game four of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Blackhawks 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Wild are desperate for goaltending help and veteran Ilya Bryzgalov is answering the call, according to a report.

CBSSports.com reported Wednesday that Bryzgalov, who was acquired by Minnesota at the trading deadline last spring but was not offered a new contract by the Wild or any other team this summer, has accepted a professional tryout offer to attend camp with the club.

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Bryzgalov was 7-1-3 in 12 games with the Wild after he was acquired March 4 from the Edmonton Oilers for a fourth-round draft pick. He had a 2.12 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage, posting three shutouts.

That came after he was 5-8-5 in 20 games for Edmonton with a 3.01 GAA and .908 save percentage.

The 34-year-old started nine games for the Wild in the playoffs, who were eliminated in the conference semifinals by the Chicago Blackhawks. He was 3-6 with a 2.63 GAA and .885 save percentage.

Bryzgalov ended up in Edmonton after he was released by the Philadelphia Flyers in the summer of 2013 on a salary-cap compliance buyout. Bryzgalov had signed a nine-year, $51 million contract with the Flyers in 2011.

The 34-year-old Russian was a second-round pick by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2000 and debuted in the NHL with the Mighty Ducks in 2001-02. In 11 NHL seasons with the Ducks, Phoenix Coyotes, Flyers, Oilers and Wild, Bryzgalov is 220-158-53 with a .256 GAA and .913 save percentage to go with 34 shutouts. He was runner-up for the Vezina Trophy and a second-team All-Star in 2009-10 with Phoenix.

In 47 playoff games, he is 20-25 with a 2.78 GAA and .905 save percentage and was the backup to Jean-Sebastien Giguere when Anaheim won the Stanley Cup in 2007.

Minnesota’s projected No. 1 goalie, Josh Harding, is out indefinitely with a fractured foot, with veteran Niklas Backstrom as the backup. They also have career minor-leaguer John Curry and prospect Johan Gustafsson available.

Darcy Kuemper remains unsigned as a restricted free agent.

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