Flyers and goalie prospect Alexei Kolosov in a standoff situation

In a notable standoff, the Philadelphia Flyers and their promising goaltending prospect, Alexei Kolosov, are at an impasse. The 22-year-old Belarusian goalie has not reported to the Flyers’ rookie camp, which recently commenced in Voorhees, New Jersey.

Kolosov’s request to be loaned back to Dinamo Minsk in Russia’s KHL has been met with resistance from the Flyers. General Manager Daniel Briere has made it clear that the team will not accommodate this request. “It’s time for him to step up and respect the contract,” Briere stated during the rookie camp.

Having signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers in 2023, Kolosov played for Dinamo Minsk before moving to the U.S. to join the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Last season, he participated in just two AHL games, a limited exposure for a player with significant potential.

Briere expressed disappointment, noting, “I guess we can still hope that he decides to show up if he wants to play hockey, but it’s not looking like it at this point. It is what it is. We have to move on.” The Flyers believe Kolosov should be eager to compete for a position on the team.

This season, the Flyers have already established their goaltending duo: Samuel Ersson, 25, and Ivan Fedotov, 27. Ersson appeared in 51 games last season, while Fedotov made three appearances after arriving from Russia later in the season.

Initially, the Flyers had plans for Kolosov to gain considerable playing time with the Phantoms, potentially securing him the third spot on the depth chart, alongside Cal Petersen, 29. However, Kolosov’s unwillingness to join the AHL has complicated the situation.

Briere mentioned that he understood Kolosov’s desire for an NHL guarantee but emphasized that the Flyers will not loan him back to the KHL. “We agreed last year to loan him back for one year because he wanted to stay home, but at some point, you sign a contract and we want him here,” he elaborated.

There has been speculation around the possibility of trading Kolosov, though this would require another NHL team to convince him to leave Russia. “I get it; you might be homesick, but that’s the life of a professional hockey player. You’ve got to adapt if you want to play hockey. That’s just how it is,” Briere remarked.

This situation mirrors a previous incident involving another high-profile draft pick. Forward Cutter Gauthier, selected fifth overall by the Flyers in the 2022 NHL draft, was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Jamie Drysdale. It became apparent that Gauthier was not interested in joining the Flyers.

Briere acknowledged the ongoing assessments of their approach to prospects but stressed that the team’s focus lies more on the players currently in the organization. “I’m more worried about the people on the inside than the people on the outside,” he commented.

Despite the discontent from some prospects, forward Matvei Michkov has committed to the Flyers and is participating in the rookie camp. Drafted seventh overall in 2023, Michkov is seen as one of the franchise’s top offensive prospects.

Looking ahead, Briere expressed excitement about Michkov’s potential impact. “I can’t wait to see how he is going to create offense in the NHL. I think his brain is pretty special,” he said.

However, fans are also curious about how Michkov will fare under coach John Tortorella, known for taking a no-nonsense approach with young players. Briere foresees some tension during this process. “There’s going to be some fireworks. But he’s going to teach him to be a pro,” Briere asserted, acknowledging that Tortorella has the final say on all lineup decisions.

While aware of Michkov’s exceptional talent, Briere is managing expectations for his rookie season. “It’s going to be a tough season for him. This is the best league in the world. It’s a big step. It’s not going to be easy. So my expectations are actually pretty low,” he stated.

The Flyers are set to kick off their 2024-25 regular season on October 11 against Vancouver, having narrowly missed the playoffs last season by just four points.