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Bryzgalov thinks Stalin did a good job, wishes Philadelphia wasn’t so old, and believes poor people don’t want to work

Ilya Bryzgalov

Ilya Bryzgalov can see the “logic” in Joseph Stalin’s actions and thought the former leader of the Soviet Union did what needed to be done to rebuild a country that was overrun with spies and criminals with guns.

Also, the Flyers’ goalie doesn’t like the oldness of Philadelphia -- he likes “newer, cleaner” cities like Boston, Vancouver, and Dallas -- though he does enjoy the cheesesteaks.

And he thinks there are too many people in America on welfare that don’t want to work.

That, and more, in Bryzgalov’s latest candid interview, this one with Russian sports site Championat (Google Translate).

None of the above comments are particularly unique -- according to hockey writer Dmitry Chesnokov, Bryzgalov’s thoughts on Stalin are “not uncommon as the issue is highly complex.”

And compared to a lot of places in the United States, Philadelphia is quite old. (Though so is Boston.)

And he’s certainly not the only person who’s ever said welfare reduces the incentive to seek employment.

Still, his opinions could be described as somewhat divisive, and not surprisingly, the story is making the rounds in Philadelphia.

Related: Bryzgalov says journalists don’t pay him, so why should they care what he makes?