Signing Vokoun would benefit Bobrovksy, team in long run

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By Chris DiFrancesco, PhilaPhans’ Flyers beat writer

With continued pandemonium from the Flyers acquiring the negotiating rights to Ilya Bryzgalov, Flyers nation should read between the lines and see how signing Bryzgalov to a lengthy, mega-dollar deal will strap not only the clubs’ salary cap, but their 22-year old goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky.

In a statement from Bryzgalov, he says all the right things including his pitch to be the goaltender to finally bring a Stanley Cup back to the city of Philadelphia.

“I would love very much to be a part of the team that brings the Stanley Cup back to Philadelphia,” Bryzgalov said. “It would be a great honor. And it’s time!”

He even went as far as to say he’s into Philadelphia history by studying Ben Franklin.

Notwithstanding, GM Paul Holmgren has a lot of thinking to do in the coming weeks before that July 1st deadline to get a contract done with Bryzgalov. However, if the Flyers plan to ‘go all the way’ with Bryz, the likelihood of Bobrovsky sticking around for more than three years as a backup is both doubtful and unfair.

Bryzgalov, who turns 31 later this month, has averaged 66 starts a season since 2008 and can definitely reach the 70 mark according to Holmgren. So, what would that do to ‘Bob,’ who started 55 games in his rookie season?

If Bryzgalov does sign a long-term deal to stay in Philly until his mid-30′s, Bobrovsky could see an average of only 25 starts a season if all goes well with the Phoenix netminder. If that’s the case, it might be in the best interest to deal ‘Bob’ to a team that will make him the number one guy.( Read Frank Seravalli’s piece on Philly.com for more on that.)

Since Bryzgalov isn’t officially a Philadelphia Flyer yet, we can talk about a better option at the goaltender spot that will be both beneficial for the organization and Bobrovsky’s development.

Florida Panthers’ Tomas Vokoun.

Vokoun, who will turn 35 on July 2nd, has average 60 starts a season over the past seven seasons for bad Nashville and Florida teams. Vokoun’s Panthers have been in the NHL basement in goals per game over the past four seasons at 23rd out of 30 teams. Through those four seasons, Vokoun was able to keep a 2.57 GAA and a .923 save percentage.

Not too shabby, eh?

Now remember, Holmgren did say he thinks the world of Bobrovsky and that he has a bright future with the organization. But how bright is his future if you throw the bank at a goaltender entering his prime in Bryzgalov?

Vokoun will cost roughly two million less than what Bryz will demand. Along with that, Vokoun is only looking at a 2-3 year deal from a team since he’ll be 35 when the season picks up. Not to mention, Jeff Carter could remain a Flyer if Vokoun is the Holmgren’s choice instead of Bryzgalov. Even better, the Flyers might have enough to offer Ville Leino a new deal with the money they would fork over to Bryz.

If the Flyers skip out on signing Bryzgalov and skate down the Vokoun route for two years, we’ll see ‘Bob’ take over the number one job at 25 years old after sitting behind a bonafide number one netminder.

But this is all wishful thinking, as it always is when it comes to the Flyers and goaltending.

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Posted by Chris DiFrancesco on Jun 8 2011. Filed under Chris DiFrancesco, Featured News, Flyers/NHL. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.