Flyers Prospects
Alexei Kolosov Could Make Official Flyers Debut vs. Canadiens
In lieu of the struggles of Philadelphia Flyers backup goalie Ivan Fedotov, it is now a possibility that top goalie prospect Alexei Kolosov makes his official NHL debut for the Flyers on Sunday vs. the Montreal Canadiens.
Kolosov, 22, made a surprise return to North America after holding out in Belarus for the entire offseason and most of training camp. The former third-round pick managed to play parts of two preseason games for the Flyers before being re-assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL.
Flyers GM Danny Briere postulated on Sept. 17 that Kolosov wanted a full-time role in the NHL and, magically, nine days later, Kolosov appeared at training camp as the two sides apparently reached some sort of agreement.
While Kolosov is not being guaranteed anything, he may get his wish this weekend, if only temporarily.
A source familiar with the situation indicated to Philly Hockey Now that a conversation on the matter will take place on Saturday following the Flyers game against the Minnesota Wild and that a decision has not been made one way or another.
Because the Flyers currently have the maximum 23 players on their roster, a transaction will have to be made in order to fit Kolosov into the equation.
Rookie center Jett Luchanko sticks out as the first name on the list given that he can return to the Guelph Storm of the OHL, though his fate is independent of Kolosov’s, according to the source. Other options might include placing Cam York, who was injured in Wednesday’s loss to the Washington Capitals, on injured reserve retroactively.
Kolosov has played in all four games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season, posting a 1-2-1 record, a 3.29 GAA, and a .875 save percentage. Considering that the Phantoms have only scored nine goals this season and only six players in total have scored a goal, it would be a reach to place too much blame on Kolosov.
However, some better looking statistics would certainly allow fans to feel a little more confident in the 22-year-old goalie if he is to make his NHL debut against Montreal this weekend.
Sounds like it could be the lesser of two evils if Kolosov makes his debut. If he wins, the fans will want him to stay up. If he loses, it just continues the mediocre Russian goaltending as they both learn to adjust to the physical North American game on the smaller rink.
Speaking of the smaller rinks, with the speed and size of today’s players I think the larger European rinks would allow the players to showcase their talents & make the game more exciting. It could also possibly cut down on injuries. Look how exciting the overtime period is when the players have more room to skate and make plays.
The NHL could lengthen and widen their rinks…….take out the first row all the way around the rink….but they would charge additional percentage increases on ticket prices for the remaining seats/rows all the way up to the ceiling seats to make up the loss revenue..
The team is the third youngest in the NHL…..let the youngin’s play and get the experience. Give Kolosov 15 or so games and see what transpires….then Fodotov after some time with the Phantoms can be brought up…..then there is also 25-year old Eetu Maki. waiting in the wings somewhere. I keep hearing from Jonesy down thru Torts, this is a long process, a rebuild and they want to do it right…..ok, then play the kids. They want to win just like the veterans on the team.
York out two weeks …upper body.
Very reason smallish defensemen are susceptible to injuries and extended time missed. Drysdale and Andrae are in that mold.
Why most teams want and have a majority of bigger d-men and the few smallish they have are guys noted for their PP offensive abilities.
You can’t have it both ways. You complain about the smaller Dmen being injury prone out of one side of your mouth, while out of the other side, you want the team to trade Risto, who is of course the biggest DMan on the team.
So he walks away from the team then the team gets him back. To be honest he shouldn’t even be up yet one because what he did was wrong and he needs to understand what he did is wrong. Yes, the team is struggling. Yes they are young but to literally give him the opportunity to play. I honestly think he definitely should not be called up. Keep them in the minor leagues the whole year, no matter how bad we are because he needs to be taught a lesson here. If they bring him up, would the lesson to him and everybody else out there is you could be a spoiled crybaby and get your way in the end