The Philadelphia Flyers are making a goaltending move, sending Aleksei Kolosov back to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms after a brief stint with the big club.
Kolosov was called up last weekend in response to an injury to Samuel Ersson, who exited the Flyers’ Jan. 29 game against the Bruins with a lower-body issue. With Ersson sidelined, the Flyers needed some immediate depth in net, and Kolosov got the nod. But now, with the roster shifting again, he's heading back to Lehigh Valley.
Kolosov’s time with the Flyers this season has been limited, and the numbers reflect a goaltender still trying to find his footing at the NHL level. In four appearances, he’s posted an 0-2-0 record with a .830 save percentage and a 4.00 goals-against average. It’s a small sample size, but one that underscores the challenges of adjusting to the speed and skill of the NHL.
Down in the AHL, though, Kolosov has shown more stability. Through 21 games with the Phantoms this season, he’s carrying a 9-10-1 record with a .908 save percentage and a 2.52 goals-against average.
That’s a noticeable improvement from last year’s numbers, when he went 5-6-1 with an .884 save percentage and a 3.11 GAA in 12 games. It’s clear he’s trending in the right direction in the minors, and that’s a good sign for both his development and the Flyers’ long-term depth in net.
At just 24 years old, Kolosov is still in the early stages of his North American career. He saw more extended NHL action last season, appearing in 17 games for the Flyers and going 5-9-1 with an .867 save percentage. While the results have been mixed, what stands out is his steady progression in the AHL and the trust the organization continues to show by calling him up when needed.
For now, this move puts Kolosov back in a starting role with Lehigh Valley, where he’ll get consistent reps and a chance to build on what’s been a solid campaign so far. And for the Flyers, it’s about managing their goalie depth smartly while Ersson recovers and the team continues its push through the second half of the season.