Flyers Brass Not Giving Up On Aleksei Kolosov
The Philadelphia Flyers may appear set at the goalie position at the NHL level this year, but anything can happen, and the book isn't closed on prospect Aleksei Kolosov yet.
Lamentable performances in net over the last few seasons, including from Kolosov himself, have largely doomed the Flyers to their lack of success.
An offseason addition of Dan Vladar is expected to help stabilize incumbent starter Sam Ersson and give the Flyers a reliable duo, but Ersson, too, is guilty of struggling. He's also been bedeviled by injuries, which can anecdotally be attributed to his increased workload.
Knowing that, Flyers GM Danny Briere already warned that he expects Kolosov and Russian counterpart Ivan Fedotov to be ready when called upon.
In a press conference Wednesday, Flyers president Keith Jones echoed that sentiment, advising that the book is not closed on either Fedotov or the enigmatic Kolosov.
"We had hoped their ability to adjust would occur quicker than it did. I wouldn't write off either guy, Fedotov or Kolosov," Jones said. "Kolosov is obviously younger and is an extremely athletic goaltender. And, if he can put all the pieces together in the future, he could turn into a very good goaltender."
The question, for some Flyers fans, will be about Kolosov's commitment to patience and playing his role.
The 23-year-old Belarusian ultimately arrived, albeit late, to training camp last year, and made his NHL debut as early as Oct. 27.
Despite that, though, Kolosov's hot start flamed out, and he was sent to the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
There were many occasions last season where the Flyers' former third-round pick sat in the press box as the third goalie in the NHL, which did his development no favors.
"He'll be here, and we're excited about that, too. He has an opportunity, just like everybody else, to come in and show what he has," Jones added. "Developmentally, we would prefer that last year he spent a little more time in the American Hockey League. It just was not in the cards. I wouldn't do it differently, but I'm excited about the depth that we have."
Jones was also sure to note that the Flyers are "happy" to have Vladar, and that Kolosov and Fedotov will have to prove they have the chops to cut it at the NHL level. For real this time.
Fortunately for both, and especially the youngster Kolosov, the Flyers seem intent on giving their homegrown guys one last opportunity to carve out an NHL path.
BREAKING: Buffalo Bills DT Ed Oliver Ruled Out for Sunday's Game Against Jets, Injury Update Provided
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver has officially been ruled out for Sunday's game against the New York Jets, head coach Sean McDermott confirmed on Friday. This decision, though disappointing for the Bills, was expected after Oliver was seen wearing a walking boot and missing practice on Thursday due to a left ankle injury. Reports also surfaced that Oliver was relying on a scooter to help him get around following the injury.
"Ed will be out this game. He got stepped on at practice on Wednesday, unfortunately," McDermott said during an appearance on WGR-550 on Friday morning. "We'll see where it goes into next week as far as his status goes."
The injury to Oliver, who was a key contributor in the Bills' 41-40 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, is a significant setback for the team. In that thrilling season opener, Oliver recorded six tackles, a sack, and played a pivotal role in forcing a crucial fumble on Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Oliver's performance was integral to the Bills' defense, helping secure a hard-fought victory in a game that saw both teams battle until the final whistle.
Oliver, 27, was drafted by the Bills as the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Since joining the team, he has established himself as a dominant force on the defensive line, with 28 sacks, nine forced fumbles, and 237 tackles in 93 games (84 starts). His ability to disrupt opposing offenses, particularly with his pass-rushing ability, has made him a cornerstone of Buffalo's defense. The Bills will now be without one of their top defensive playmakers as they face the Jets this weekend.
While McDermott did not provide a specific timeline for Oliver’s return, he made it clear that the team is focused on getting him back to full health. "We'll take it one day at a time," McDermott added. "Our main priority is making sure Ed gets the proper treatment and recovery so that when he’s ready, he can return at 100%."
The loss of Oliver will likely force the Bills to rely more heavily on their other defensive players, including veterans like Von Miller and Matt Milano, who will need to step up in Oliver’s absence. Additionally, Buffalo's defensive line depth will be tested, with players like DaQuan Jones and Tim Settle potentially seeing more playing time in the absence of one of the team's star defensive tackles.
Oliver’s absence also presents a challenge for the Bills as they prepare to face a Jets team that is eager to rebound after a tough loss. With a revamped roster and new additions, the Jets are poised to bring a tough challenge to Buffalo’s defense. However, the Bills have built a strong team that can overcome injuries like this one.
As for Oliver, he remains focused on his recovery. “It’s disappointing to miss this game, but I’m focused on recovering and getting back on the field as soon as possible,” Oliver said. “I’ll take it one day at a time and work hard to get back to full strength.”
The Bills are optimistic that Oliver’s recovery will progress well, and they’re hopeful that he will be back on the field soon, ready to continue his dominant play for the rest of the season. For now, the team must adjust without one of its key defensive pillars as they look to maintain momentum and build on their opening-week win.
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