Ilya Bryzgalov is back.
The Edmonton Oilers announced on Friday evening that they have reached a verbal agreement with the free agent goaltender in an effort to solidify a position that's been a sore spot this season with Devan Dubnyk and Jason LaBarbera struggling. The deal is pending the completion of the Oilers' trade with Calgary that sent defenseman Ladislav Smid to the Flames.
And as luck should have it, the Oilers are playing in Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon.
Bryzgalov became a free agent this offseason when the Flyers used one of their two compliance buyouts on him after two disappointing and tumultuous seasons with the club. The Flyers will be paying him $23 million over the next 14 years as part of the buyout.
Earlier this season Bryzgalov had spent some time in the ECHL on a tryout contract with Las Vegas before he was released from that deal.
In 425 career games with the Ducks, Coyotes, and Flyers, Bryzgalov has posted a .913 save percentage to go with a 208-149-45 record, with his best years coming in Phoenix.
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