Flyers Notebook: Bryzgalov ready to go, loves Hartnell’s beard

The chains are off the Flyers’ practice facility. They are also off out-of-this-world goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, who addressed reporters Tuesday for the first time this season. Bryzgalov was in quite the jovial mood, too, after a respectable few months over in Russia. He played in 12 games holding a 2.13 goals-against average and .913 save percentage.

Brygalov confirmed that he wants to start in net for the majority of the Flyers’ 48 games in this shortened season. Then, he turned his attention to some off-the-ice chatter. Bryzgalov toured a Russian space center in December, trying on a real space suit and meeting a famous cosmonaut.

“This suit is made already small for the people,” Bryzgalov said. “It was small for me.  I said, ‘Why don’t you get the knife?’. It was like difficult to get out [of it].”

Bryzgalov also chimed in on Scott Hartnell’s new beard. The Flyers left wing showed up with a bushy, red beard. Oh, did we mention Hartnell has been named the fifth hottest player in the NHL, according to Cosmopolitan magazine? Former Flyer Jeff Carter ranked No. 2.

“He’s like from the movie Castaway. We need some bodies. He is going to bring his best buddy, Wilson,” Bryzgalov said, an obvious reference to Tom Hanks’ character in the movie Castaway.

The Flyers continue to skate this week in Voorhees, NJ. They’ll open training camp next week.