GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Phoenix Coyotes have traded the negotiating rights of free agent goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to the Philadelphia Flyers for forward Matt Clackson, a third-round draft pick in 2012 and future considerations.
The Coyotes had made Bryzgalov and defenseman Keith Yandle, a restricted free agent, their top priorities this offseason.
An NHL official who requested anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to release the information says negotiations with Bryzgalov broke down because the Russian goalie wanted to not only be a top-paid goalie in the NHL, but one of the top-paid players.
Bryzgalov went 36-20-10 with a 2.48 goals-against average and seven shutouts, but had some shaky moments as the Coyotes were swept from the playoffs by Detroit.
