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VOORHEES, N.J. — If goalie Alexei Kolosov does not wish to play for the Philadelphia Flyers, the Flyers don’t desire him taking part in in Russia both.
That is the standing of the standoff between the Flyers and Kolosov, a 22-year-old Belarusian who’s considered one of their prime goaltending prospects. He did not report back to the workforce’s rookie camp this week at their apply facility in New Jersey and has requested the Flyers to mortgage him again to Dinamo Minsk of Russia’s KHL — a request that Flyers common supervisor Daniel Briere stated the workforce won’t grant.
“It is time for him to step up and respect the contract,” he stated at Flyers rookie camp Tuesday.
Kolosov signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers in 2023, who loaned him to Dinamo Minsk final season earlier than he got here to the U.S. to play within the American Hockey League with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Kolosov appeared in two video games final season within the AHL.
“I assume we are able to nonetheless hope that he decides to point out up if he needs to play hockey, but it surely’s not wanting prefer it at this level,” Briere stated. “It’s what it’s. We’ve got to maneuver on. We hoped that he would wish to compete for a job.”
The Flyers have their goaltending tandem set for this season: Samuel Ersson, 25, who performed 51 video games final season; and Ivan Fedotov, 27, who appeared in three video games after coming over from Russia late within the season.
The plan was to have Kolosov see ample time in with the Phantoms this season, in a tandem with 29-year-old goalie Cal Petersen. Briere stated there was an opportunity Kolosov might have been third on their depth chart.
“Whenever you take a look at the way in which we’re constructed proper now, there’s a possibility there for him,” he stated.
However Briere stated that Kolosov did not wish to begin this season within the AHL and wished “to be assured a spot within the NHL.” If he did not get that assure, Kolosov wished to remain within the KHL.
Briere stated that the Flyers have little interest in loaning Kolosov again to the KHL.
“We agreed final 12 months to mortgage him again for one 12 months as a result of he wished to remain house, however sooner or later you signal a contract and we wish him right here,” he stated. “We would like him to begin integrating himself to the way in which the sport is performed right here in North America, with smaller ice, with studying the language and all of that. And I assume he does not see it that method in the mean time.”
There was hypothesis that the Flyers might commerce Kolosov to finish their standoff. However that depends upon one other NHL workforce with the ability to get him to commit to depart Russia.
“I get it, you may be homesick, however that is the lifetime of knowledgeable hockey participant. You have to adapt if you wish to play hockey. That is simply how it’s,” Briere stated.
That is the second high-profile latest draft choose who has refused to play for the Flyers on Briere’s watch.
Ahead Cutter Gauthier was drafted fifth by the Philadelphia Flyers within the 2022 NHL draft however was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in early January for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second-round choice within the 2025 NHL draft. It had turn into obvious that, within the phrases of Comcast Spectacor chairman Dan Hilferty, “his thoughts was made up that he did not wish to be in Philadelphia.”
Briere stated the workforce is at all times analyzing its method to prospects, however that he is extra involved with the tradition for gamers already within the group.
“I am extra apprehensive concerning the individuals on the within than the individuals on the skin and as soon as often they arrive in, they understand how good we’ve got it,” he stated.
One prospect that has dedicated to the Flyers is ahead Matvei Michkov, who’s attending their rookie camp after being drafted seventh total in 2023. Michkov is taken into account among the finest offensive prospects in latest franchise historical past.
“I can not wait to see how he’s going to create offense [in the NHL]. I believe his mind is fairly particular,” stated Briere.
Many NHL followers are anticipating one thing else with Michkov: a 19-year-old offensive dynamo taking part in below coach John Tortorella, who has not shied away from depriving younger skaters of taking part in time to get his message throughout to them.
Briere totally anticipates some friction.
“There’s going to be some fireworks. However he will train him to be a professional. He’ll train him to be the very best participant he may be,” stated Briere, who stated the ultimate name on all lineup choices is left with Tortorella.
Whereas Briere acknowledges that Michkov is a particular expertise, he is setting the bar low for him in his first NHL season.
“It is gonna be a troublesome season for him. That is the very best league on the planet. It is a large step. It isn’t going to be straightforward. So my expectations are literally fairly low,” he stated.
The Flyers open their 2024-25 common season at Vancouver on Oct. 11. They completed final season 4 factors out of the ultimate playoff spot within the Japanese Convention.
