Flyers, goaltending prospect Alexei Kolosov in standoff heading into preseason camp

The Philadelphia Flyers might already have their goaltending tandem decided for the start of the 2024-25 NHL season, but one promising prospect isn’t expected to be part of the team’s plans going forward.

Goaltending prospect Alexei Kolosov did not attend the Flyers Development Camp or Rookie Camp over the past two weeks and has also not reported to the team’s NHL camp, Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere confirmed to reporters Tuesday.

Kolosov, who signed a three-year entry level contract with the Orange and Black last summer, was slated to join Cal Petersen with AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms and could’ve competed for the No. 3 job in the Flyers organization.

However, Alexei Kolosov burned one of his contract years while on loan with KHL side Dinamo Minsk in his native Belarus and reportedly wants to head back there again this season after not being guaranteed a spot on the NHL roster. He registered a 24-25-3 record (2.39 GAA in regular season, 2.21 GAA in playoffs) in 53 combined appearances with Dinamo Minsk last year.

Briere voiced his frustration with Alexei Kolosov’s decision and admitted that the Flyers will not make a decision based on the 22-year-old’s wants.

Danny Briere, Flyers aren’t optimistic with Alexei Kolosov and his future with the Philadelphia Flyers

Danny Briere wouldn’t close the door on Alexei Kolosov, but it certainly doesn’t sound like the Flyers are optimistic about his future @975TheFanatic

“It is what it is. We have to move on.” pic.twitter.com/jr3My3cBFA

— Colin Newby (@ToNewbyginnings) September 17, 2024

“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,” Briere told reporters Tuesday at a press conference. “We want him to start integrating himself to the way the game is played here in North America, with smaller ice, with learning the language and all of that. And I guess he doesn’t see it that way at the moment.

“We can still hope he changes his mind and decides to come back, if he wants to play hockey. It’s not looking like it at this point. It is what it is. We have to move on. We’d hope that he’d want to compete for a job.

“When you look at the way we’re built right now, there’s an opportunity there for him as we saw it, to start out in the American League. Most teams around the league use their third goalie, [even] fourth goalie. He’d be in a competition with the guys we have to play some games this year. On his end, he wants to be guaranteed a spot in the NHL, otherwise he prefers to stay over there. That’s not the way we see it.”

The Flyers have Samuel Ersson and Ivan Fedotov as their top-two goaltenders heading into the 2024 season while Petersen brings veteran experience to the group.

Preseason play begins for the Flyers on Sunday at the Wells Fargo Center against the Washington Capitals (3 p.m. ET).

Join The Chase

Mandatory Credit: (Photo by GINTS IVUSKANS/AFP via Getty Images)