On this version of our Philadelphia Flyers information and rumors report, we’ll have a look at a report on goaltender Alexei Kolosov, verify in on the group’s prospects, and have a look at the Flyers’ preseason schedule. With a month and a few change left till the group begins the common season, it’s nearly time for hockey in Philadelphia.
Kolosov Possible Returning to KHL
In line with Anthony Di Marco of Every day Faceoff, it’s now anticipated that Kolosov, a 22-year-old goaltending prospect, won’t report back to coaching camp. This has been an ongoing rumor for about 4 months, constantly denied by the group’s high reporters all through the method, who acquired contradictory data to the unique experiences. Lastly, although, it looks as if there’s some readability—Kolosov might be returning to the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for 2024-25.
Whereas it’s not formally confirmed, the expectation is that Alexei Kolosov won’t be reporting to PHI coaching camp.
Within the occasion of this the belief is that the contract might be tolled, just like Ivan Fedotov’s two years in the past.
— Anthony Di Marco (@ADiMarco25) September 9, 2024
Kolosov was purported to play within the American Hockey League (AHL) for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season, however there’s been a change of plans. Fairly presumably the group’s greatest goaltending prospect in a room with some very promising younger athletes, it’s disheartening to lose someone this essential. Whereas he hasn’t requested a commerce from what we all know, it will’ve been enjoyable to see him play in North America.
It’s not the tip of the world that Kolosov goes again house, however it’s not the best search for a company that was compelled to commerce a distinct high prospect within the 2024 calendar yr. I put Kolosov within the second tier of my prospect pyramid earlier this summer time, projecting him as a high-end NHL starter sometime if he hits his stride.
Associated: Philadelphia Flyers 2024-25 Prospect Pyramid
It’s not greatest to take a position on a scenario that we actually don’t know quite a bit about, however this appears to be a souring relationship between this participant and the group. Let’s hope they’ll settle their variations, in any other case the Orange and Black might be in sizzling water. Kolosov is a goaltender who they need to go to each size to maintain primarily based on his potential.
Early Verify-In on Some 2024 Flyers Draft Picks
Whereas it’s nonetheless solely September, some Flyers prospects are already displaying out. Most of them are both in preseason or haven’t begun taking part in in any respect, however there are a couple of notable ones to observe. Who’re they?
Ilya Pautov
Ilya Pautov, a sixth-round winger taken by the Flyers within the 2024 NHL Draft, has began off nicely within the Junior Hockey League (MHL) with 5 factors by three contests. He scored 45 factors in 46 MHL contests final season, placing him within the 93rd percentile for factors per recreation (P/G) amongst forwards with no less than 10 video games performed—some development within the manufacturing division was to be anticipated and he has finished that on this quick stint.
Pautov may very well be prepared for the Supreme Hockey League (VHL) throughout this season and doubtlessly the KHL in 2025-26 if he continues to provide. With 1.67 P/G to this point, it’s cheap to suppose Pautov can sustain that tempo if he initiatives to be an NHL participant sooner or later. Only for context, famous person Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning completed his first MHL marketing campaign after being drafted with 1.87 P/G. There’s plenty of expertise right here, so this isn’t your unusual late-round decide—the Flyers might need discovered a diamond within the tough. I wouldn’t say Pautov has star potential proper now, however that could be a potential consequence if he performs nicely this season and continues that in skilled leagues just like the VHL and KHL.
Jack Berglund
Jack Berglund, one of many Flyers’ two second-round picks in 2024, has a aim in his solely J20 Nationell affair this season. The 18-year-old Swedish middle has a ton of defensive upside, so I wouldn’t essentially count on him to indicate out offensively in a comparable method to Pautov. After scoring 34 factors in 41 contests in J20 Nationell final season, there’s some particular room for offensive development however he may not be taking part in in juniors for the whole thing of his 2024-25 marketing campaign. Final season, he scored a aim in eight contests within the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), one of many high leagues in Europe.
The star potential right here appears uncertain, however that doesn’t imply Berglund can’t be helpful within the NHL. To me, the ceiling here’s a superb two-way, third-line middle—suppose somebody like Jordan Staal however in his more moderen years. Berglund is 6-foot-3, 209 kilos, and makes use of his physique nicely. A return to the SHL in 2024-25 could be good for gauging how he stacks up in opposition to skilled competitors now that he’s had earlier expertise and an offseason to develop—can he create extra offense?
Jett Luchanko
He has solely appeared within the preseason, however I actually like what I’ve seen from Thirteenth-overall decide Jett Luchanko so far. He makes his dynamic velocity a weapon, coupling that with nice hockey sense. He creates scoring probabilities at a really excessive degree, which is one thing that the Flyers desperately want.
Set to play within the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2024-25, there’s plenty of potential for development in his numbers. The 5-foot-11, 187-pound middle had 74 factors in 68 contests final season, inserting him within the 86th percentile for OHL P/G amongst forwards with 10 video games performed. A comparability I discover fascinating is of Robert Thomas, who completed his 2016-17 marketing campaign within the 87th percentile for OHL P/G earlier than being chosen by the St. Louis Blues at twentieth general. The latter is likely one of the NHL’s greatest playmakers, registering the ninth-most even-strength assists within the league since 2021-22 (114).
Thomas and Luchanko had related OHL numbers the yr earlier than both of them was draft-eligible, ending with 15 factors in 40 video games and 14 factors in 46 contests respectively. If Thomas actually is the mannequin, we must always count on a factors surge from Luchanko in 2024-25—anyplace from 100 to 110 factors in a wholesome season (68 video games) is each the aim and extra cheap than it’d sound. Contemplating Luchanko’s heavy involvement offensively, his scoring might undergo the roof. He was one of many youngest gamers in his draft class, too (as was Thomas), which is one thing else to think about.
Flyers’ Preseason Schedule
Lastly, preseason is creeping its approach up. The Flyers begin some on-ice festivities comparable to each rookie and coaching camp over the following two weeks, together with the group’s annual Rookie Collection in opposition to the New York Rangers at PPL Heart in Allentown. However I’ll be specializing in the preseason schedule beneath (instances listed in Japanese Normal Time):
- Sept. 22: Flyers at Washington Capitals, 3:00 p.m. at Capital One Enviornment
- Sept. 23: Flyers at Montreal Canadiens, 7:00 p.m. at Bell Centre
- Sept. 26: Flyers vs. New York Islanders, 7:00 p.m. at Wells Fargo Heart
- Sept. 28: Flyers vs. Boston Bruins, 7:00 p.m. at Wells Fargo Heart
- Sept. 30: Flyers at Islanders, 7:00 p.m. at UBS Enviornment
- Oct. 1: Flyers at Bruins, 7:00 p.m. at TD Backyard
- Oct. 3: Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils, 7:00 p.m. at Wells Fargo Heart
Eyes might be on prospect Matvei Michkov within the Rookie Collection, however the preseason might be our first actual style of what he can do in opposition to NHL athletes. In 2023-24, Sean Couturier led all forwards in preseason ice time with 74:28 in whole. With that in thoughts, we must always get an honest chunk of motion from the 19-year-old rookie, as he might be a roster participant. It’ll be enjoyable to see how he’ll carry out, together with every other younger prospects who get an opportunity to play.
The Flyers start their common season on Oct. 11 visiting the Vancouver Canucks. We’ll present a lot of protection and evaluation all through what needs to be an thrilling 2024-25 marketing campaign!
