Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov stated in mid-July that in the case of an extended lockout by the NHL, he would return to Russia to compete in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Via Puck Daddy:
If there is a lockout, would all players go to Russia?
"I will. But I wouldn't talk for everyone. Some players like Switzerland, Germany... I cannot make any decisions about the KHL myself until September 15. The lockout won't be announced until that day. So I have a contract with Philadelphia."
Now, with the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and NHLPA set to expire in 10 days and the threat of a lockout on the horizon, the goaltender is not as certain as to whether he will follow through with those plans.
In an interview with Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia on Wednesday, Bryzgalov stated that he is unsure of what he plans to do if the NHL does lockout the players on Sept. 15.
"You know, it's a tough decision," Bryzgalov told CSN's Lisa Hillary. "Like I said before, we're not even thinking about possible possibilities, what can be, what's possible. We're going to wait, and then make the decision.
"Maybe we'll return to Russia and find a school for the kids, I don't know. Maybe we stay here. It's a family decision. We've got to sit together and decide what we're going to do."
Until that time, Bryzgalov says that he is trying to stay happy and continues to train for the upcoming season.
You can read more about the Philadelphia Flyers at Broad Street Hockey. For more on the NHL draft and additional news, notes and analysis around the league during the season and offseason, be sure to check out SB Nation's dedicated hub page.