THN.com Blog: Letting Bryzgalov leave a crafty move
Ilya Bryzgalov has won his first two games in a Coyotes uniform.
Ken Campbell
2007-11-23 13:47:02
When Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke put Ilya Bryzgalov on waivers last week, the move was met with a fair bit of head scratching. But don't discount the possibility that giving Bryzgalov away was a calculated move that would have made the late Sam Pollock proud.
It was Pollock, remember, who traded Ralph Backstrom to the Los Angeles Kings in 1971 with the express purpose of bolstering the Kings so they wouldn't finish last overall and get the first overall pick in the draft. That helped allow the Oakland Seals to finish last, which led the Montreal Canadiens, who owned Oakland's pick, to draft Guy Lafleur.
Fast forward to this season. Burke's Anaheim Ducks own the Edmonton Oilers’ first round pick in June and there's little doubt Burke knew no team prior to Phoenix would claim Bryzgalov. He also knew very well the Coyotes would happily claim him, and better goaltending might move them ahead of the Oilers, giving the Ducks a better seeding in the draft lottery with the Oilers’ selection.
If that was Burke's diabolical scheme, so far things have gone pretty much according to plan. Going into Friday night's game against the Ducks, Bryzgalov had allowed just one goal on 57 shots to lead the Coyotes to two straight victories, while the Oilers had the second-worst winning percentage in the league.
Of course, Burke may have scuppered himself by acquiring Brian Sutherby from the last-place Washington Capitals for a second round pick. That may make the Capitals worse, if that's possible. Four points in arrears of the Oilers, the Capitals have the inside track for the No. 1 seed in the draft lottery.
NOT GOING TO HAPPEN Teemu Selanne's agent shot down a recent report his star client was on the verge of signing a contract with a Swedish Allsvenskan (Teir II) team.
Several reports out of Sweden recently suggested Selanne was close to signing with Leksand, the current team of former NHL goaltender Ed Belfour.
"I know nothing about this," agent Don Baizley told the thehockeynews.com. "I haven't spoken with Teemu in 2-3 weeks and I find it hard to believe this would be true."
It would seem rather ridiculous to think a player who scored 90 points in the world's best league would sign one year later with a team that amounts to a minor pro club.
Baizley says his client’s stance on his future hasn’t changed since the off-season.
"I would think he'll either play for the Ducks or retire," Baizley said. "In fact, his dream scenario was the Ducks win the Cup and he rides off into the sunset."
Glen Miller (Posted 2007-11-24 11:46:33)
Oops, sorry!! I was thinking of the wrong Brian. Regardless, Burke was the first GM to think outside of the box when it comes to the salary cap. Example: realizing that Fedorov was a cap killer and finding someone willing to take him off his hands. If that trade hadn't been made then Anaheim wouldn't have been able to trade for Pronger and therefore probably wouldn't have won the cup. I give him credit for that. However, the Bertuzzi signing for 2 years was a mistake as it is going to make it difficult to re-sign Perry and even though the just did extend Getzlaf, the Ducks have big money tied up next year in only a few players. It will be unlikely that the Ducks will be very active in FA in the next couple of years. Thanks for correcting my mistake Dee, I hope you can take me seriously now.
Dee Klassen (Posted 2007-11-24 10:43:13)
While I agree with much of the substance of Glen's comments, it would be easier to take him seriously if he referenced the correct GM (as stated in the original article). Bryan Murray, the former Anaheim GM is now GM in Ottawa and it's Brian Burke that is now in charge in Anaheim.
As for the suggestion that this is similar to Pollock's move in the 70s - there are a number of problems with that. Firstly, the last place team is no longer guaranteed the 1st pick and in fact with the lottery, the last place team has only received the 1st pick once since 2000 (I didn't count the 05 draft because it wasn't the usual lottery). Secondly, with Phoenix in their division they still had 4 or 5 games against them and as close as the conference is every point is important and can be the difference between making the playoffs or not and, as shown in the first game between them since the transaction - Breezy stole the extra point for Phoenix.
Sorry, but I just don't buy this Burke as genius. Besides, who cares if the Ducks get a high pick - check out Burke's drafting record and see how likely it is that the pick will be great prospect anyway - where is Bobby Ryan playing these days?
Glen Miller (Posted 2007-11-23 18:19:27)
First off, the idea that Murray intentionally let Bryzgalov go knowing Phoenix would grab him up thus improving Phoenix's draft seeding to the point where Edmonton would finish lower in the standings, ergot Anaheim would acquire a higher draft selection is pure conjecture. Why not call Maloney and offer Bryzgalov and a solid prospect to Phoenix to grab a draft choice. Or even trade Bryzgalov for a 4th or a 3rd. I think a trade to Phoenix could have been made in which Anaheim secures a decent mid-round pick and Phoenix nets a potential starting goalie. Instead Murray just lets Bryzgalov walk away for nothing. I don't think so. There had to be teams willing to give up viable assets for a potential starting goalie. Pittsburgh, Tampa, Los Angeles, Edmonton, Atlanta and Washington could use a boost in net. Gambling that allowing a solid contributor whose salary cap hit was relatively minimal go for only a chance at improving your draft slot one position is plain stupid. This isn't the NHL of 12 teams. The draft is deeper with European players entering and the U.S. producing more players every year.
Olivier Dufau (Posted 2007-11-23 17:20:04)
Brain Burke is an absoulte mastermind in many ways....In hockey, in pro sports, in business, and in general.....The latest display of this is subtle and classy on his part. In one seemingly senseless move he has done 3 good things.....
He's given Brizzy a chance to shine someplace else, a class act on his part. Sure he could have held on to him, sat him on the bench, waiting for something to happen to JSG....But this now allows another rookie to get a crack at that spot and gives Brizzy the opportunity he's been waiting for, that No1 spot.
He's also craftfully improved his chances of landing that all important number one draft pick next year. A move many may not see clearly but very subtle and clever on his part. Edmontons first round pick next year will be a good one, we all know that! Sorry Mr Lowe, your teams needs a sniper and you still havent found him, and you've made many mistakes when dealing with Mr Burke....
And last but not least, he's helped his buddy Wayne turn a mediocre season into a much more entertaining and enjoyable one. And who couldn't do with a few bonus points with the great one when it comes to dealing away one of his rookies a few years down the road? I'm sure the Coyotes will have a surplus of young talent eventually and will be looking to make a deal at some point.
We'll all see how much talent Mr Burke has if he manages to pull of the biggest move of the season and lure Scotty and Teemu back!
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