Maloney optimistic Coyotes can replace Bryzgalov

PHOENIX – After trading away goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to the Philadelphia Flyers, many are writing off the Phoenix Coyotes as a potential playoff team next season.

Not so fast says Coyotes general manager Don Maloney.

“I’m not overly concerned. I know we’ll come up with the right person that’s going to fit with Jason LaBarbera and we’ll have a real strong goaltending tandem,” said the Coyotes general manager on the Sports 620 KTAR’s Gambo and Ash show on Wednesday.

Maloney even went as far as to say the Coyotes could be better off without Bryzgalov.

“In some ways it’s probably better long term for us. I had allocated a very big salary for Ilya next year and obviously we won’t be investing that money in that position, so we’ll be able to find somebody for maybe a little less and then use the difference to help our team,” said Maloney.

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