Flyers giddy over chance to meet real life NHL goalie

The Flyers acquired the negotiating rights to Coyotes goalie Ilya Bryzgalov on Tuesday and, according to league sources, have not stopped talking about how excited they are to finally meet a real life NHL goalie.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren spoke Thursday about the trade, the impact it could have on next season and how he needed to take pictures because none of his friends are going to believe this.

“I’ve heard other teams talking about how they talk to NHL goalies all the time like it’s nothing,” said Holmgren, who will meet a goaltender for the first time in over 36 years with the Flyers organization. “But this will be my first time. I just hope I play it cool. I mean, what do I even say to the guy? Like, he’s a goalie and I’m just some guy. What if he doesn’t like me? What if he does and then we become best friends? Could you imagine!”

Holmgren also mentioned that he plans on reaching out to Brian Boucher to see if he had any interest in coming to meet a professional NHL goalie.