Flyers Release Stalin-Loving Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov

The Flyers’ website reports that goalie Ilya Bryzgalov has been cut:

“I met with Ilya this morning and informed him that we are going to exercise a compliance buy out of his contract,” general manager Paul Holmgren said. “This was a very difficult business decision to make for us and we want to thank Ilya for his time here and wish him all the best moving forward.”

Bryzgalov was originally signed to a nine-year, $51 million contract prior to the start of the 2011-12 season.

The Flyers will have to pay Bryzgalov two-thirds of the balance owed on his remaining term, or $23 million, but will have twice as long to pay it off.

Bryz’s trip outta town was probably guaranteed earlier this summer after a bizarre interview in which the Russian proclaimed his respect for murderous dictator Josef Stalin while also expressing derision for Philly’s underclass. The combination wasn’t a good look on him.

On the other hand, the man loved Yoda:

Here’s the other side of Bryzgalov’s new mask… #Flyers pic.twitter.com/8qkpXHx8DF

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 26, 2013