The Flyers weren't going to be able to carry three goaltenders for much longer. It was evident when Ivan Fedotov didn't play for a month. And it's been evident with Aleksei Kolosov now the one sidelined.
The only difference between Fedotov and Kolosov is that the latter can be sent down without having to pass through waivers. It would be highly unlikely that Fedotov would be claimed, but will him being settled in as the backup goaltender, that wouldn't be the move regardless.
It has also been evident that Kolosov could use more developmental time. While he has the athleticism to be a goaltender at the NHL level, there are other parts of his game that need work. But would he accept a demotion to the AHL? After all, the rumors previously were that he would return to the KHL if the Flyers tried to send him down.
But according to Danny Briere, there's no reason to believe that Kolosov would not accept being sent down to Lehigh Valley.
"As far as I know, yes. I don't have any reasons to believe that he wouldn't. That would be his decision, but it has nothing to do with anything that's going on," Briere said during his mid-season press conference on Tuesday.
Aleksei Kolosov heading to the AHL
After coming to North America last season and appearing in two games for the Phantoms, a reported rift happened. Kolosov was reportedly upset and threatened to return to the KHL if he was sent to the AHL again. He held out up until training camp, showing up late and working to compete.
He would be sent to the AHL, appearing in four games and posting a 3.29 GAA and a .875 SV%. The numbers weren't great and it was obvious that Kolosov would need time. But with Fedotov struggling, the Flyers decided to let Kolosov prove that he could play in the NHL.
The numbers aren't great and while he had a few solid games, the need for more time in a lower stakes environment was clear. And with injuries to Eetu Makiniemi and now Cal Petersen, Kolosov should get plenty of time in the crease with the Phantoms. Makiniemi has been rehabbing from sports hernia surgey. Petersen was run over in his crease multiple times this past weekend and will now miss the next six to eight weeks with a lower-body injury.
Parker Gahagen and Keith Petruzzelli have been the current goaltending duo for the Phantoms. Both have bounced back and forth between the AHL and ECHL. Based on the experiences, it's likely Gahagen will remain with the Phantoms and play backup to Kolosov.
Things could change over the next few weeks. It wasn't long ago that Kolosov was the backup. But with Sam Ersson healthy and Fedotov playing well, there was no reason to continue hanging on to three goaltenders.
The Flyers also sent down Olle Lycksell, calling up Anthony Richard in his place. Richard performed well in an earlier stint with Philadelphia, leading to John Tortorella's displeasure in having to send him down. He had two goals and six points in seven games with the Flyers previously.