Say what you will about Ilya Bryzgalov’s goaltending skills, but the former NHL netminder makes for one entertaining broadcaster.
Here are Ilya Bryzgalov’s best moments from Sportsnet’s NHL trade deadline broadcast
How does he not have his own show by now?
Sportsnet added Bryzgalov to their lineup for the NHL’s trade deadline day yesterday and he brought some much-needed flair to a quiet day on air. It’s not the first time Bryzgalov has been put in front of a microphone either, as The Players’ Tribune gave him free rein to talk to players at the NHL All-Star Game.
We’ve talked about the trades and we’ve talked about their implications, but we’ve yet to give Bryzgalov his due for being the most fun part of the 2017 NHL trade deadline.
“My name is Ilya Bryzgalov and I’m your new leader”
“My name is Ilya Bryzgalov and I’m your new leader." @ryanwhitney6, @armdog & @bryzgoalie30 know what it's like to be the new guy. #NHLTrade pic.twitter.com/tDGeY5tO0A
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 1, 2017
Bryzgalov’s answer on being the newbie to a locker room is quite fantastic at the 1:41 mark. Also spectacular is his suggestion that the Sportsnet panel go topless earlier in the clip at 50 seconds. No context needed, my friends.
“You were a brick wall.” “Yeah, like usually.”
.@armdog's & Bryzgalov's storytelling: 👌
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 1, 2017
Watch HC Trade Deadline on Sportsnet & SN NOW: https://t.co/biARKRBSSL#TradeDeadline #NHLTrade pic.twitter.com/9qT13JEiE0
Bryzgalov and former NHL forward Colby Armstrong bantered about the goaltender’s stellar performance at the 2009 World Championships. Bragging Bryzgalov is the best Bryzgalov.
“Russians: they grumpy, they tough, you know no smile ... I’m kind of one of those guys.”
New panelist @bryzgoalie30 recalls his return to Anaheim, when the Ducks and their fans made him tear up with a standing ovation. #NHLTrade pic.twitter.com/I0Q7OfstCI
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 1, 2017
That gem precedes a heartwarming story of Bryzgalov’s return to Anaheim for the first time.
“Do you believe aliens walk amongst us?” “Oh for sure!”
Bryzgalov has made his love of the universe no secret in the past, and he revealed some “insider information” to the Sportsnet team in true Bryz fashion.
“Why do you like purple for your tie?” “It’s royalty’s color”
It's the end of the #NHLTrade day, so @JeffMarek asked @bryzgoalie30 about everything other than trades. What a legend. pic.twitter.com/ZpXBcVBjJ3
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 1, 2017
In an after segment with Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek, Bryzgalov revealed the book he’s currently reading, if he’s dressed his cat up, and how math has helped him in his career.
Other odds and ends
Video wasn’t able to capture all of Bryzgalov’s genius, so here’s a bit more of the wonder via Twitter.
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