G Ilya Bryzgalov Signs PTO Agreement With The Anaheim Ducks

By Vinnie Criscenzo | Dec 3, 2014

May 4, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Ilya Bryzgalov defends the net against the Chicago Blackhawks during game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Ilya Bryzgalov is back in Anaheim, signing a professional tryout agreement with the team Wednesday.

Everyone’s favorite Russian Goaltender is back.

Ilya Bryzgalov may be rejoining the team that he started his NHL career with. The Anaheim Ducks have signed the Russian goaltender to a professional tryout agreement (PTO), according to ESPN reporter Pierre Lebrun.

Hearing that Ilya Bryzgalov has joined the Anaheim Ducks, much like Brodeur did in St. Louis, for practice/tryout.. should lead to a deal
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 3, 2014

The Ducks will most likely sign Bryzgalov to a contract that will keep him on the team at least temporarily. This is due to the Ducks goal-tending situation being in shambles at the moment. The Ducks started out the season with John Gibson as the starter and being backed up Frederik Anderson. John Gibson was put on injured reserve Nov. 4 with a groin injury and isn’t expected to return until late December.

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Frederik Anderson has been carrying the load since with veteran Jason LaBarbara backing him up. The two were holding down the ship, until LaBarbara went down with an injury himself.

Rookie Igor Bobkov has filled in for LaBarbara in the backup role, but Bobkov has no NHL experience under his belt. All this has let to the decision to bring in a familiar face, Ilya Bryzgalov.

Bryzgalov started his NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks back in 2001, when they were still called the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2007 before being waived by the team and claimed by the Phoenix (Arizona) Coyotes.

He was then traded to the Philadelphia Flyers and signed a huge contract with the team, only to be bought out two years later. He then signed as a free agent with the Edmonton Oilers last year and was traded to the Minnesota Wild at last year’s trade deadline.

Bryzgalov was on a PTO with the Wild to begin this season, but the Wild opted not to sign the Russian goaltender.

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