Flyers’ Top Prospect Alexei Kolosov: When To Expect Him In Philadelphia

Philadelphia Flyers 2021 third-round draft pick, goaltender Alexei Kolosov, 22, has been on Flyers’ fans radar the entire KHL season, and especially as of late with his Russian club’s campaign coming to an end five days ago.

Kolosov and Dinamo Minsk were eliminated from the KHL playoffs when they lost lost to No. 1 seed Dynamo Moscow. Kolosov kept his club afloat in a heavily outmatched series, with a 2-4-0 record, a 2.21 goals against average and a .925 save percentage, both career bests in the postseason.

Russian Ban, Political Barriers:

That was nearly a week ago, and since then, fans have been anxiously waiting to see what’s next for the 22-year-old netminder. Flyers faithful have a right to be concerned about Kolosov and the organization’s other Russian prospects, Matvei Michkov and Yegor Zavargin and when they could come to America.

As that was nearly a week ago, since then Flyers’ fans have been anxiously waiting to see what’s next for the 22-year-old netminder. Philadelphia’s hockey faithful have a right to be concerned about Kolosov and the organization’s other Russian prospects, Matvei Michkov and Yegor Zavargin as to when (or if) they could come to America.

This quandry is partly due to political issues and the transfer of players’ rights from the KHL to the NHL. Not to mention the “Russian ban” rumors in December, 2023, as I noted in a previous article. The Russian Hockey Federation is also pushing for a minimum of 4 to 5-year careers in the KHL for players before considering going elsewhere.

This sparked rumors that have since died down but were hot around the holidays. Kolosov does not fall under these restrictions provided he is on loan, and assuming Minsk terminates his KHL deal, that is all that stands in the way on that side of him playing in America.

^{Belarus’ goalkeeper Alexei Kolosov during the IIHF Men’s Ice Hockey World Championships preliminary round group A match between Russia and Belarus, at the Olympic Sports Centre in Riga, Latvia, on June 1, 2021. (Photo: GINTS IVUSKANS/AFP via Getty Images)}

Kolosov is already under contract with the Flyers, having signed his entry-level contract on July 8. However, 11 days later, he was loaned back to Minsk, finishing what appears to be his last season there. Dinamo Minsk reportedly had sent him a qualifying offer prior to him signing his ELC and he said that he would be returning to the KHL for another year before putting pen to paper with the Flyers.

KHL Career Stats:

During his four seasons in the KHL, Kolosov posted a .909 save percentage and a 2.56 goals-against-average with a 49-56-10 record in 120 games. When comparing other Dinamo Minsk goaltenders all-time, Kolosov ranks second in games played, first in wins, sixth in shutouts (6) and fifth in save percentage.

In the 2023-24 season, he played a career-high 47 games, with four shutouts and 22 wins. He finished the year with a .907 Sv% and a 2.39 GAA. With those numbers, there is no reason he could not cement a spot on a depleted Phantoms roster.

When, What To Expect From Alexei Kolosov In Philadelphia:

If everything goes according to plan, the Belarusian could arrive in Philadelphia within the next week or two if his travel arrangements and visa (P-1A) are all sorted out. Contact has never been an issue for the Flyers’ brass and Kolosov, keeping in touch regularly with the player and his agent Aljoša Pilko.

“The Philadelphia Flyers are in constant contact with my agent,” Kolosov said in an interview for Hockey.by. “We talked recently and said that they were watching all my games and were waiting for me.”

The best-case scenario for the young netminder is to make it to Philadelphia as soon as possible, whether he plays or not, and get comfortable in new surroundings. Kolosov is free to join the Flyers at any time, but when will depend on if Minsk terminates his KHL contract. The Flyers hold his NHL rights in this case.

Now, this does not mean he will be an NHL starting goaltender right out of the gate. That’s not to say he can’t be, but it will still be Samuel Ersson’s net until further notice. In saying that, it is likely Kolosov will join the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the American Hockey League either for the rest of the AHL season or to begin the 2024-25 campaign. With Cal Petersen man-ing the net, currently, the Phantoms could use the support between the pipes.

Now, this does not mean he will be an NHL starting goaltender right out of the gate although that’s not to say he can’t be. As of now it will still be Samuel Ersson’s net until further notice. In saying that, it is likely Kolosov will join the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the American Hockey League either for the rest of the AHL season or to begin the 2024-25 campaign. As for when could fans see Kolosov in the orange and black, he would be will likely spend next season with the Phantoms, as mentioned, while possibly getting a few looks at the NHL level throughout the year.

Given the organizational struggles between the pipes in Philadelphia and Allentown, the latter is the best course of action for Kolosov. With Cal Petersen man-ing the net in Allentown currently, the Phantoms could use the additional support between the pipes.

It’s unclear what the Flyers’ plans will be if Kolosov finds himself on a plane, but given the timetable, he could be in Lehigh Valley near the end of March, which leaves roughly six games unless he is en route by the end of the week. However, it is worth noting that until Kolosov touches American soil, there is still a lot unknown and up in the air.