Coyotes part ways with goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov

Afraid they would not be able to re-sign the goaltender, the Phoenix Coyotes traded the negotiating rights for Ilya Bryzgalov to the Philadelphia Flyers.

“After several discussions with Ilya and his agent, it became very clear to us that we were not in a position to sign Ilya to a long-term contract,” said Coyotes GM Don Maloney. “We will now focus our efforts on adding another goaltender to our roster for the upcoming season.”

Bryzgalov, who came to the Coyotes in 2007, led the team to the playoffs the last two seasons while accumulating 78 wins.

In return for the 30-year-old the Coyotes received a third round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, forward Matt Clackson and future considerations.

The lasting memory of Bryzgalov with the Coyotes will be his struggles in the postseason, as he allowed 20 goals in the four game sweep handed out by the Red Wings.

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