Former NHLer Ilya Bryzgalov weighs in on Putin, Panarin and poverty in America in new interview

Ilya Bryzgalov hasn't played NHL hockey since 2015, but the Russian goaltender remains a person of great interest in America and in his home country. Bryzgalov lives in the U.S. but recently returned to Russia for a visit and did a lengthy interview with Sport24.ru where he touched on everything from hockey to family to politics and just about everything in between.

At one point, the interviewer was discussing Russia's economy and the fact that he would like to see the minimum wage go up. Russia's hourly minimum is 150 Rubles per hour, which is just barely over $2 USD. The interviewer noted that no one can live on this kind of money.

"I'm in America," said Bryzgalov. "Here, too, 50 million people live on welfare. Although America is admired by everyone, it is also full of beggars and homeless people. Look at the big cities."

Asked fs he felt it was easier to live on minimum wage in American than it is in Russia, Bryzgalov said absolutely not.

"What makes you think that in America you can survive on $ 700?," asked Bryzgalov. "You can't even rent the worst apartment for this money. How can you go to university if you have no money? You must show outstanding academic results."

"...in the United States, the bulk of the population pays 70 thousand dollars a year for tuition."

Bryzgalov also weighed in on the current political situation in Russia. While he did not say he supported President Vladimir Putin, he did say he believes things will stay the same even if he's gone.

"I don't know how it should be. But I know for sure that if Putin and his team are overthrown, nothing will change for the better for the country. We have already gone through all this. In 1917, first the tsar was overthrown, then the Provisional Government. They said that we would build communism and live. People lived, lived for 70 years, and nothing good." said Bryzgalov. "Then they overthrew the power again, began to build capitalism and a market economy. And again they understand that something is not working out, and people are unhappy. Maybe people understand, have grown wiser and because of this do not take to the streets? Who cares who's in charge if nothing changes."

Bryzgalov was also asked about the situation with Artemi Panarin and the accusations of beating an 18-year-old girl from his former KHL coach Andrei Nazarov. He said he had no way of knowing whether the story was true or not, adding if it's true, it's terrible and if it's made up, it's equally as terrible. However, he said any thoughts that Putin's regime ordered Nazarov to make the allegations are "ridiculous," implying that Putin and his people have much larger things to worry about than Panarin and his political views.

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