Bobrovsky feels ready to be Jackets' No. 1

When the Flyers signed Ilya Bryzgalov to his nine-year, $51 million contract last summer, it became immediately clear that Sergei Bobrovsky would not be evolving into the team’s No. 1 goaltender, no matter how much he impressed during his rookie campaign of 2010-11.

But Bob’s desires to be a top netminder somewhere in the NHL didn’t disappear simply because he was relegated to the role of backup.

And now that he's settled with his new team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, Bobrovsky is hoping to build off of what he learned from Bryzgalov – and take over the role that eluded him last season in Philadelphia.

“Playing with Ilya, I learned lots of important things, which will help my career,” Bobrovsky told The Columbus Dispatch via e-mail. “Now I prepare myself for proving that I’m deserving to be No. 1. I’m really excited to have an opportunity to become No. 1. Obviously, it’s for the coaches to decide. I will do my best to play more, though, because I love to play.”

During that aforementioned rookie year, Bobrovsky certainly looked as though he could have a future as a No. 1 – his 2.59 goals-against average and .915 save percentage impressed coaches and fans alike, and far outperformed expectations.

Certainly, the Jackets – and Bob himself – are hoping he can return to his 2010-11 season form in 2013.