The stalemate continues between Alexei Kolosov and the Flyers as training camp is just days away. The team already expects the Belarussian goaltender not to be in attendance as he continues to train with his KHL team.
The Flyers have reportedly stressed that they are not interested in loaning Kolosov out to Dinamo Minsk again, likely because that burns the second year of his ELC. There is also no interest in terminating his contract either.
If he remains in the organization, Philadelphia could look to have his contract tolled, similar to Ivan Fedotov. This is for different reasons, of course, but it would have the same effect in the end.
One more option is on the table if the Flyers choose to do it. In his latest 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman started with potential news on Kolosov and what could happen next.
"Philadelphia is still trying to figure out where things will go with Alexei Kolosov, who did not arrive to camp and remains in Russia. Teams who have inquired were told a second-round pick is the price, but, before anyone is willing to do so, they would have to figure out if Kolosov would join them."
The Flyers could look at trading Kolosov if the offer is right
A second-round pick is not a shocking ask from a team amid a rebuild. The Flyers would like to stockpile all the draft picks they can get. They will have three second-rounders next year and one each in 2026 and 2027. Those could either be used at the draft or in other trade talks.
The big caveat here is the willingness of Kolosov to come back to North America if he is sent to another team. Does he not see an opportunity in Philadelphia? Or was his brief stay in another country enough to turn him off for good? That is the question any team looking into Kolosov has to ask.
Friedman did not name any of the teams who have reached out to the Flyers. But who might be interested or who could be a good fit?
Vancouver is toward the top of the list as their goaltending has question marks surrounding it. Thatcher Demko. Demko has continued to rehab a knee injury that kept him toward the end of the season and most of the postseason. There is a recent excitement about his progress, but the Canucks are not setting a target date at this time.
Arturs Silovs was diagnosed with knee ligament damage a few weeks ago and was held out of Olympic qualifiers for Latvia. The injury is not serious and shouldn't affect Silovs' availability for the start of the season. But it is going to be something to keep an eye on. Vancouver did sign Dylan Ferguson to a PTO yesterday, but that may just be to have three goaltenders for training camp. They are still in talks with Kevin Lankinen as well
Vancouver is just one option. Nashville recently traded top prospect Yarosolv Askarov and has Scott Wedgewood at the current backup. They received Magnus Chrona in return for Askarov, but his NHL numbers aren't great. Is Tampa Bay an option? Behind Andrei Vasilevskiy, their options are extremely light. Jonas Johansson and Matt Tomkins weren't very strong last season.
There are likely more options, but it only matters if Kolosov is willing to return to North America at some point. And the Flyers will need to reach a point where a trade is the only option.
Training camp starts on Wednesday. A resolution is needed sooner rather than later.