Bryzgalov Buyout a Business Decision for Flyers

Paul Holmgren’s phone rang at 10:30 Tuesday morning.

Wearing his trademarked black sweatshirt with a team logo on the right side of his chest and a collar that reaches taller than his neck, Holmgren picked up the phone and heard his goalie, Ilya Bryzgalov, on the other end.

A while ago, the Flyers general manager planned to have a 10 a.m. meeting with the man he signed to a nine-year, $51 million contract only two years ago.

(Listen to Flyers GM Paul Holgren on the Sports Bash with Mike Gill)

Bryzgalov, having just returned to the area late last night after taking a vacation with his family, needed an extension.

“Sure,” Holmgren told his goalie.

At 11:30 Bryzgalov rolled up to the Flyers’ Skate Zone practice facility in Voorhees where his vacation came to an abrupt halt.

Holmgren told the 33-year-old Russian that when the Flyers are allowed to use their compliance buyouts, starting 11 p.m. Wednesday night, they’ll pull the trigger and end Bryzgalov’s contract seven years early.

“I don’t think he was shocked,” Holmgren said. “He took it in stride like a good pro.”

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Dave Isaac covers the Flyers for 97.3 ESPN and The Courier Post.  Reach Dave Isaac at disaac@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @davegisaac.