The Philadelphia Flyers continue to look for a resolution with goaltending prospect Alexei Kolosov regarding his future with the organization. The young netminder spurned the Flyers this week by not reporting to their rookie camp and he’s not expected to join the team for training camp either as he hopes to return to his home country of Belarus for the 2024-25 season. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman wrote this morning that Philadelphia has made Kolosov available to interested teams but there’s no indication a change of scenery would dissuade his desire to return home.
A lack of communication has been made apparent between the Flyers’ brass and Kolosov as many people within the organization are confused by Kolosov’s request. Kevin Kurz of The Athletic recently spoke to the head coach of the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Ian Laperriere, and he said players on the Phantoms made repeated attempts for Kolosov to join them for team activities but were rejected.
Kolosov debuted with the organization at the end of last season. The young netminder skated in two games for the Phantoms while securing a 1-1-0 record with a .885 save percentage. He spent most of last year with the KHL’s Dinamo Minsk (the team he is looking to rejoin) producing a 22-21-3 record in 47 games with a .907 SV%. He holds a career .909 SV% over four years in the KHL and does not appear interested in continuing his development in North America.
The Flyers are reportedly asking for a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft but many teams are hesitant to pay that price. There has not been any confirmation either way if Kolosov is not comfortable playing in a foreign place or if he’s unhappy with the Flyers organization specifically. No team will sacrifice a second-round pick in a relatively deep draft class if Kolosov has no intentions of returning to North America. If Kolosov is willing to return to the NHL under a new organization it is reasonable to assume the Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, and Tampa Bay Lightning would maintain some level of interest in the former 78th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft.
The Flames could use a stronger long-term option next to Dustin Wolf and the Blackhawks may be looking for someone to upseat Drew Commesso as the organization’s top goaltending prospect. Colorado’s reported interest in Yaroslav Askarov indicates the team is looking to address their long-term answer in the crease despite their limited draft capital. Lastly — the Lightning currently has Los Angeles’ and Toronto’s second-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft thanks to a couple of trades this offseason. The team may be willing to part with one of them to solve their backup goaltending situation heading into the 2024-25 regular season.
Philly has a problem with their young prospects. Wonder who in their org are the poison?
Well there is a selfish headcase in Gauthier and a spoiled Russian. Beyond that are there any facts to support your rather broad statement re prospects? I didn’t think so so please go away.
Maybe they don’t want to forget to fetch Torts his newspaper and find themselves in Lehigh Valley— wherever that is— where they’ve made the playoffs once in six years.
Franchise is a dumpster fire of old boys running amok, unchallenged. The coach names a captain and then benches him. The GM spent the last half of the season complaining about how a kid— who told him he wasn’t going to sign in Philadelphia when he was drafted— didn’t want to give him an exit interview about why he didn’t want to play there. I’d never play for that organization with those two in charge, if I’m a prospect. And if I’m any good, I’m going to use my leverage to play elsewhere.
so………..so what?
The “kid” said he was “born to be a Flyer “ when drafted. To this day he has never said the reason why he wouldn’t sign.. The “old boys” were the 7th youngest team in the league last season. Stop posting when you obviously have no clue what you’re talking about.
Then it is a good thing that you will never have an opportunity to play for this organization. A stunning loss for the Flyers.
The old boys refer to management and coaching retreads, familiar names given top jobs with little to show for it.
Might I suggest reading comprehension before you fly off the hip oh so indignant.
Also, when they presented him with a contract, he didn’t sign it. Is this not true? Did he sign a contract none of us know about? He can say whatever he wants until then. When he told them he wasn’t signing. that signals a trade. It’s not hard.
Briere behaved like a scorned lover. Get over it. It’s pathetic. No one wants to play for that psycho coach.
I agree, wouldn’t want to bring integrity to the organization.
Based on this thread, I don’t think their fans could cope.
Add Canucks to the list with Kolosov’s ETA as an NHL-ready netminder being 2025-26…
placeholder at best .. two more highly touted prospects in the system
Something is wrong with the Flyers organization. Why are they having such difficulty in signing their prospects? Briere has had little criticism as GM but the time has come for asking hard questions about the front office.
Kolosov IS signed to his ELC. He wants a guaranteed NHL roster spot.