Photo Credit: Our very own Rob Windfelder
Aleksei Kolosov has had an up and down first season in North America. He became the first Belarusian Goaltender to play in an NHL game earlier in the season, and he wasn’t necessarily “Killing” it in Lehigh to begin with. Kolosov has had some up and downs in the NHL, most notably, he was very dysfunctional and out of place against the Vegas Golden Knights. Grant it, the Knights are a very good hockey team, however, nonetheless Kolsov was slow post to post. In addition, he looked very lost at times.
This young Belarusian netminder DOES need more time in the AHL. Unfortunately, the orange and black’s top goalie just can’t stay healthy. I’m sure Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella, who seemed visibly upset on the bench following a few goals Kolosov allowed against Vegas, would like to send Kolosov back to the AHL. The Flyers just do not have that luxury at the moment. Who would the team recall? Cal Petersen or Parker Gahagen? See that’s the goaltending conundrum the Flyers face themselves with at the moment. They have enough goaltending depth, but none are good enough, at the moment, to keep this team afloat.
With Ersson constantly on the shelf, the Flyers are faced with a Kolosov/Ivan Fedotov tandem. Fedotov, more than likely, will get the start in Toronto on Sunday night, “I’m not going to evaluate Aleksei,” John Tortorella said following the game against Vegas. “The score isn’t indicated on how we played.” For more clarity of what Tortorella is saying. He is saying the Flyers played well, unfortunately, the goalie laid an egg last night. This will happen from time to time, I mean my gosh Kolosov is only 22-years-old. Kolosov is talented and just moves post to post so quickly. It really reminds me of a young Sergei Bobrovsky. However, he needs more seasoning in the AHL.
Kolosov played well when Samuel Ersson fell to injury in the middle of November of 2024. A Kolosov/Ivan Fedotov Goaltending tandem managed to go 6-3-2 during that span, in Ersson’s absence.
“Mechanics have to fall to Danny,” Tortorella said of when the time comes to make a decision on the goaltending situation. Torts has said they were rolling with three goalies, to ensure Samuel Ersson was fully healthy. These head scratching decisions kind of make Torts and Briere look like geniuses now, believe it or not since Ersson is hurt once again.
Tortorella said earlier in the season, before Samuel Ersson’s first lower body injury “Feds had his chance. If I take out Erss, then Kolosov will come in.”
The one thing that stands out about Kolosov is his athleticism. He quickly moves post to post well, and he has tracked the puck a bit better, “It doesn’t mean anything. Happy to be here. Happy to play for them,” Kolosov said following a game against the Detroit Red Wings. His athleticism let’s him get away with that particular downfall to his game for the most part, at least for now, even though he looks more and more comfortable playing in the NHL as each game passes.
Ivan Fedotov
With Nic Deslauriers on Injured Reserve (IR). This afforded the Flyers to carry three goaltenders, with a three goalie carousel. Unfortunately, Fedotov hasn’t seen game action since December 5, 2024 in a loss against the Florida Panthers. Fedotov was pulled after one period, after allowing two goals on seven shots faced.
He just didn’t have it that night, and one can sense when he is on his game. Somehow the Flyers rallied, and he received a no decision on the game.
“Everybody knows my story, everybody knows my past. This is in the past, new chapter, new page. Great feelings to be here and get first win,” Fedotov said following his first NHL victory.
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When Fedotov is on his game, teams know it. Fedotov would look more comfortable and dialed in, as opposed to being rattled and flailing. Much like when he played in the KHL. He makes some big saves and timely saves, which turns into a marvelous performance. If he’s off, he’s allowing anywhere from five to seven goals.
Fedotov has been practicing with the big club, even though, he hasn’t seen game action. The hope is he is able to right this ship, and make this goaltending pickle the Flyers find themselves in a bit better. By no means, am I saying Fedotov is savior, what I am saying is he should be given a shot to prove his worth or value.
