The Colorado Avalanche had a rough day in Ottawa earlier this week. On the same day, the Avalanche lost both goaltender Semyon Varlamov and goaltender Reto Berra to injuries. Varlamov suffered a groin injury during the morning skate and Berra suffered a head/neck injury after a collision. With both goalies on the shelf for an undetermined amount of time, the Avs are a team who suddenly needs help in net.
Is Ilya Bryzgalov an option? The 34-year-old goaltender’s name surfaced almost immediately as soon as the Avs lost both Varlamov and Berra. Considering Bryzgalov had a pretty decent 2013-14 and is still looking for a team, it’d make a lot of sense for the Avs to call on his services.
According to a recent report from Sportsnet.ca, the Avs aren’t interested. Bryzgalov’s agent reportedly reached out to the Colorado front office to see if the team wanted to negotiate a contract for a goalie with NHL experience. The Avs declined, indicating that they both believe the two injuries aren’t extremely serious and that they’re content to roll their AHL goalies until the regulars return.
What does this mean for Bryzgalov? Things don’t look good. This looked like the perfect scenario for Bryzgalov considering the Avs were deploying two AHL netminders, but no dice. Bryzgalov may still hear his name called on should another team be desperate for options, but for now it looks like Bryzgalov will have to remain on the sidelines.
