With training camp about to open up, Danny Briere took to the podium to talk about the status of the Flyers heading into the 2024-25 season.
The biggest storyline surrounding the team has been about Alexei Kolosov. If you have somehow missed the entire situation, here's the quick down low. Kolosov remains in Russian and seemingly has no interest in reporting to Philadelphia. The Flyers do not have an interest in loaning him back to the KHL for another year.
Now, it's a stalemate. But Briere was able to say how he believes Kolosov feels at this point and what the Flyers would like from him.
"I think on his end it's more about he wants to be guaranteed a spot in the NHL. If not, he prefers to stay over there and that's not the way we see it," Briere said on Tuesday morning. "We agreed last year to loan him back for one year because he wanted to stay home. But at some point, you signed a contract and we want him here. We want him to start integrating himself into the game, the way it's played here in North America."
Briere added that maybe if they had a player that Kolosov could talk with, that may have been better. But it was tough to do after the trade deadline and at the end of the season. They didn't make any promises to him at the time either. But the entire development staff and players did everything they could to try and help Kolosov fit in. Everyone had nothing but good things to say about him and Kolosov never indicated to the Flyers that he wasn't happy.
At this point, it's about understanding that a contract was signed and it needs to be accepted.
"If he wants to play hockey, he has to respect his contract. We have no interest in loaning him back, we want him to develop here."
The Flyers have not had any talks about trying to toll his contract. They are far from having to make that decision. There is still hope that he will change his mind and report. But Briere said the team has no idea what he wants at this point. They felt he knew what the situation was going into last season.
"We do wonder at this point because he doesn't show that he wants to come. That was the understanding last year when we signed the contract. He asked us to loan him back for one year so he can keep developing one more year and then he would come over. And we're here now and he's still saying the same thing. That's part of the reason it's time for him to step up and respect the contract that he's signed."
Briere didn't speak of any other options that the Flyers could look at with Kolosov. But teams have reportedly called about his availability and a price has been set. Those teams need to figure out if Kolosov wants to come over, though.
Matvei Michkov
Briere said the ultimate decision on where Matvei Michkov plays will be up to John Tortorella. But he does hope that Michkov can find players that he can develop chemistry with like he did with Ville Leino and Scott Hartnell. As for what he is most excited about with Michkov, Briere has enjoyed his competitiveness. That is something that has stood out to everyone.
"I can't wait to see how he's going to create offense. I think his brain is pretty special and he's going to adapt, but it might not be instant. He might need time to adapt to it. What I've been really impressed [by] is how hard he plays in traffic."
The on-ice stuff will take time as he makes the adjustment to the NHL and plays against other players who are bigger and faster. But Michkov has begun to adapt rather quickly when it comes to off-ice areas. His English has come leaps and bounds from when he was drafted by the Flyers last year. He wants to learn the language and he wants to be around his teammates as much as he can.
"I think his level of comfort since he got here has expanded tremendously. He's a little bit more comfortable, he's very outgoing, he has a personality. He wants to talk to people, he wants to have relationships with people. He's great off the ice."
Development of players
The development of players has always been an important aspect of the Flyers' organization. Briere said he could ask for improvement and continued growth from any player.
But he did note a few players they were hoping to get a bit more from this year. Jamie Drysdale was one as the main hope for him is that he can be healthy this upcoming season. He could be a great addition to the Flyers' struggling powerplay.
"There's no doubt that Jamie Drysdale is a big one. Being healthy...we're excited to see him."
Bobby Brink wasn't expected to make the team last season. But he forced his way onto the roster with strong play, however, he was very inconsistent at times and did spend some time in Lehigh Valley. Finding a way to make an impact more often than not is something the Flyers want to see.
"Brink had an up-and-down season but we didn't have him pegged in to make the team last year and he showed up. He had a great training camp, provided some sparks here and there throughout the season so maybe he can expand on that."
Noah Cates shined during his first year in the league and drew comparisons to Sean Couturier with the way he played. But injuries took their toll on his last year and caused a dip in his play. He should be able to get back to where he was.
"He had an excellent rookie season. Last year was a little tougher for him. I expect him to bounce back."
Briere also threw out a few names of players who could push for roster spots this year despite the lack of available spots. Olle Lycksell has had his chances with the Flyers and could fight to get more of a locked-down role. Rodrigo Abols appeared briefly in North America but has spent most of his time overseas. Oscar Eklind will be coming over for the first time after spending his entire career in Sweden. Anthony Richard had NHL experience when he played briefly with the Boston Bruins and fit right in.
No one should come into camp with the mindset that there's not a spot for them on the roster. Brink is a prime example of someone who forced the Flyers to find a spot for him.
Training camp is here and the NHL regular season is in just a few weeks.