Losing top prospects is tough, but losing two in less than one calendar year is even tougher. Alexei Kolosov joins Cutter Gauthier as the latest to not want to play for the franchise, as Kolosov Will not report for training camp. However, the Flyers still leave hope that he will come over in the future.
Kolosov wanted a guaranteed NHL spot, to which the Flyers could not accommodate. Briere did say they have to move on (Move past it), with the hopes of him changing his mind, “You have to remember that those two were from the outside of the organization,” Briere said at his presser yesterday. “I’m more worried about the people on the inside than the outside. The players on the inside want to be here.”
It’s tough for the organization to overcome losing two top prospects, and it could very well set the rebuild back about a year. I do not fault the organization for the loss of Kolosov, since he wants to jump right into the NHL. He doesn’t have a long history of playing in the KHL, like Ivan Fedotov does, plus he’s only 22-years-old. Kolosov isn’t Igor Shesterkin or Ilya Sorokin, so in my opinion you have to earn your stripes. The Flyers did him a service, as Briere alluded to in his press conference, with loaning Kolosov back to Dinamo for the 2023-24 season because he wanted to play closer to home. Now it’s time for him to honor his contract and come to North America, but he doesn’t want to.
Who knows what former Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher promised him or even Gauthier. Bear in mind both picks were selected by Fletcher, not the Briere and Keith Jones regime. In the end, if Kolosov wants to play hockey, then it’s time to come to North America, as alluded to above. It’s time to honor the contract.
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In the end, it definitely is a black eye for the organization to lose two top prospects in less than a calendar year, without pointing fault at either side. Hopefully, Drysdale pans out, and Fedotov relieves number one netminder Samuel Ersson well this season.
There is good news
The Flyers have good news to report. All roster players are healthy, to include Rasmus Ristolainen, Sean Couturier, and Jamie Drysdale.
Everyone except for Ryan Ellis, Briere mentioned.
He also said Carter Sotheran, Denver Barkey, and Samu Tuomaala are the only injuries/illnesses.
Ryan Johansen
Danny Briere said that Ryan Johansen’s contract was officially terminated after he passed through waivers.
If Johansen’s camp wants to file a grievance, they can.
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