EDMONTON -- Ilya Bryzgalov once compared Edmonton to the North Pole. Cheap St.Louis Cardinals Jerseys . Now hes trying to help the Oilers find some direction. The free-agent goaltender agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Oilers on Friday, pending the completion of a trade with the Calgary Flames that cleared defenceman Ladislav Smids US$3.5-million cap hit off the books. It was not immediately clear what Bryzgalovs contract was worth, but a source said recent negotiations involved discussions about a pro-rated $3-million salary. The Philadelphia Flyers bought out of the final seven years of Bryzgalovs $51-million, nine-year contract last off-season. The 33-year-old goaltender went to training camp with the ECHLs Las Vegas Wranglers on a tryout but never signed a deal with that club. In Bryzgalov, general manager Craig MacTavish told the Oilers official website that the team was getting a goalie with a "history of being a high-performer in parts of his career" and whos "very motivated." "I believe in the power of the potential of people," MacTavish said in an interview with AM-630 in Edmonton. "Hes said and indicated all the right things to me in the conversations that Ive had. I think he has a chance to come in here and make a real impact on our team." Bryzgalov went 19-17-3 with a 2.79 goals-against average and .900 save percentage last season for the Flyers. The Oilers are in Philadelphia to play the Flyers on Saturday, and while Bryzgalov still lives in the area it was not likely that hed even be in uniform. According to reports, Bryzgalov could first go on a conditioning assignment with the Oklahoma City Barons of the AHL. His last NHL game was April 25. To set up the signing, the Oilers began their shake-up by sending Smid and goaltending prospect Olivier Roy to Calgary in exchange for centre Roman Horak and goaltending prospect Laurent Brossoit. "It was an opportunity to give us some cap (space) to do a few other things and add goaltending depth," MacTavish said, as quoted by the team. "I thank (Smid) for his work ethic and sacrifice on behalf of the hockey club and we wish him well." At 4-11-2, the Oilers are in last place in the NHLs Pacific Division, so the deal does not come as a surprise. Going into Fridays games, Edmonton was ranked last in the league with 3.82 goals-against. Goaltenders Devan Dubnyk, Jason LaBarbera and Richard Bachman were part of that, but there was also a belief the Oilers wanted to shore up their defence. Instead, they traded from their blue-line by dealing Smid to the Flames. The 27-year-old had one goal and one assist in 17 games and averaged more than two minutes a night on the penalty kill. The Oilers were not up against the cap ceiling, though its uncertain what other moves MacTavish has in store. He and president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe have seen scouted the New York Rangers and Flyers recently, but MacTavish expressed satisfaction in the teams recent play. "As bad as our record is, I see plenty of progress and maybe more important plenty of potential in this hockey club," MacTavish said on AM-630. "Certainly no moves imminent and hopefully none for quite some time." Signing Bryzgalov marks a major move for the Oilers, who have a team save percentage of .879 this season. In his NHL career Bryzgalov has a .913 save percentage. His history with the city of Edmonton dates to 2006 when he defended then-Anaheim Ducks teammate Chris Pronger for requesting to be traded from the Oilers. Bryzgalov likened it to the "North Pole." "He may be tried to leave here because here in November months is a minus-32," Bryzgalov said in an interview with The Score. "Could you imagine? Its eight months in a year of snow." When playing for the Phoenix Coyotes amid rumours of the team moving to Winnipeg, Bryzgalov said he wouldnt like to live there because of a lack of parks and fellow Russians. Smid, who was sent from Anaheim to Edmonton as part of the Pronger trade, has 11 goals, 54 assists and 391 penalty minutes over 474 games with the Oilers. "(It was a) difficult trade for me because of the fact that Laddy was such a warrior for the hockey club for so many years here," MacTavish said on AM-630. He is known as a shutdown defenceman and one of the leagues best shot blockers and should help the Flames, who are without captain Mark Giordano (broken ankle) for another five to seven weeks. "We were looking to try to do something before Gio got hurt. We felt we needed to improve the mix of our six," GM Jay Feaster said in Calgary. "Certainly Giordanos injury makes this a more timely addition. Were happy to be able to do it now." Roy was selected in the fifth round, 133rd overall, by Edmonton in 2009. He had a stellar junior career with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL, but has yet to suit up for an NHL game. He may get that chance in Calgary. The Flames have struggled for consistency in goal in their first season without Finnish workhorse Miikka Kiprusoff, who retired at the end of last season. Roy, 22, split last season between Oklahoma City and the ECHLs Stockton Thunder. He had a 2-2 record with a 3.29 GAA and .897 save percentage with the Barons this season. Horak, 22, has spent the past three seasons with the Flames, registering five goals, 13 assists and 16 penalty minutes in 82 games. He has 20 goals and 21 assists in 86 games with Abbotsford of the AHL. Horak was originally selected by the New York Rangers in the fifth round, 127th overall in the 2009 draft. Brossoit, 20, has spent the past four seasons with the Western Hockey Leagues Edmonton Oil Kings, posting a record of 88-34-13 in 146 career WHL games. In 2011-12, the native of Port Alberni, B.C., helped lead the Oil Kings to the best record in the WHL, posting a record of 42-13-5, including three shutouts. He went 16-4-0 in the post-season and was named the playoff MVP as the Oil Kings won the WHL championship and earned a berth in the Memorial Cup Tournament. Brossoit was originally selected by the Calgary Flames in the sixth round, 164th overall in the 2011 draft. Hes in his first professional season. cheap nfl jerseys .Y. -- Bills rookie quarterback EJ Manuel wont start in Buffalos season finale at New England because of a small tear in a left knee ligament that will not require surgery. cheap jerseys .5 forward somersault dive may have fallen a little short on Sunday, but the two-time Olympic silver medallist says he feels encouraged by his performance at the Montreal Canada Cup. SAGINAW, Mich. -- Officials with the Saginaw Spirit say Michigan State Police have told them that the body of missing junior hockey player Terry Trafford has been found. A mans body was found Tuesday afternoon in an SUV matching the description of one belonging to Trafford in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Saginaw Countys Saginaw Township. Trafford reportedly last was seen about 9:30 a.m. on March 3 at the Dow Event Center, the home arena for the Spirit. In a statement on the Ontario Hockey League teams website, the Spirit offered condolences to Traffords family and his friends in Ontario and Michigan. Saginaw Spirit president Craig Goslin had said Trafford was sent home prior to his disappearance "for a violation of rules," but said Trafford wasnt permanently cut from the team. At one point in the search, police said they believed Trafford, a centre with the Spirit, might have left the state to return to his hometown of Toronto. "On behalf of the Spirit we would like to thank the police who were looking for Terry," the team said in aa statement. jerseys from china. "We have reached out to Terrys parents and will look to provide them with support over the coming days." OHL commissioner David Branch issued a statement expressing condolences to Traffords family and friends, saying its "a tragic situation for all involved." He thanked police for their efforts, and said the league will co-operate with any investigations into Traffords death. Trafford spent four seasons with the Spirit, with 29 goals and 49 assists. He had eight goals and 24 assists this season. Skye Cieszlak told The Saginaw News that she and Trafford have dated since 2010 and that he "was devastated" after the team sent him home "for partying on a road trip." Cieszlak said Trafford sent her a text message Sunday that said, "his life was over and that he didnt want to do it anymore." The league said Wednesdays game between the Spirit and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds has been postponed, and will be rescheduled at a later date. -- with files from The Associated Press cheap jerseys ' ' '
