The Philadelphia Flyers are grappling with one of the NHL’s worst goaltending situations as they navigate the second year of their rebuild. With rookie Aleksei Kolosov struggling and veteran Ivan Fedotov sidelined, the team’s competitive aspirations are being undermined by poor performances in the crease.
Goaltending woes reach critical levels.
The Flyers’ goaltending struggles have become the focal point of their season. Aleksei Kolosov, the 22-year-old rookie, has recorded the league’s worst save percentage (.870) among qualified netminders and a 3.45 goals-against average. His performance has drawn sharp criticism, with fans and analysts alike calling for him to be reassigned to the AHL. Despite showcasing potential in the KHL, Kolosov has yet to prove himself at the NHL level. His minus-10.31 goals saved above expected ranks among the worst in the league, underscoring the challenges he has faced this season.
Kolov’s recent outing against the Vegas Golden Knights highlighted these issues. Allowing four goals on 26 shots, including two soft goals from Nicolas Hague and Alexander Holtz, Kolosov struggled to keep the Flyers competitive in a 5-2 loss. The team’s strong performance in other areas of the game — including a forechecking advantage and 2.97 expected goals compared to Vegas’ 2.19 — was overshadowed by the goaltending deficiencies.
Ivan Fedotov’s uncertain role complicates matters.
Adding to the Flyers’ goaltending troubles is the lack of playing time for Ivan Fedotov. The 28-year-old netminder, who signed a $3.25 million contract through 2025-26, has been relegated to the bench for much of the season. Fedotov hasn’t played since December 5, leaving questions about his readiness and the team’s development strategy. Fedotov’s .877 save percentage is only marginally better than Kolosov’s, but his experience and physical maturity could provide stability in net. Head coach John Tortorella has yet to commit to giving Fedotov significant starts, adding further uncertainty to the team’s strategy moving forward.
Meanwhile, Sam Ersson, the team’s presumed starter entering the season, remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury. His absence has left the Flyers relying on Kolosov and Fedotov, neither of whom has been able to provide consistent, reliable performances. With no clear solution in sight, Philadelphia’s goaltending depth is being tested in a way that threatens to derail their rebuilding progress.
Rebuild progress hindered by goalie instability.
The Flyers are in the midst of a long-term rebuild, aiming to develop young talent and establish a competitive core for the future. While promising players like Matvei Michkov are showing flashes of brilliance, the team’s goaltending issues are becoming a significant roadblock. Michkov, considered a steal at the 2023 NHL Draft, has shown NHL-level hockey IQ but has also faced the growing pains typical of rookies. Coach John Tortorella has been unafraid to bench struggling players, including Michkov, as part of his accountability-driven coaching style.
Beyond Michkov, the Flyers have high hopes for other prospects in the pipeline, but their development is being overshadowed by the team’s inability to keep pucks out of the net. The Flyers’ front office, led by general manager Danny Brière, has emphasized patience during this rebuilding phase, but the goaltending crisis is testing the organization’s commitment to that philosophy.
What are the Flyers’ options?
With Kolosov struggling and Fedotov out of rhythm, the Flyers may need to explore alternative goaltending options. One potential move could involve recalling Cal Petersen from the AHL. Petersen, while inconsistent in his previous NHL stints, has shown flashes of competence and could provide a stopgap solution until Ersson returns. Another option would be to intensify efforts to convince Kolosov to spend time with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to regain confidence and refine his game in a less pressurized environment.
Some analysts have suggested that the Flyers should consider acquiring a veteran goaltender via trade. While this would offer immediate relief, it could conflict with the team’s long-term rebuilding strategy and divert resources away from developing young talent. Additionally, rumors have surfaced regarding the Flyers’ potential interest in Vancouver Canucks players like Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller, but these remain speculative and unrelated to the immediate goaltending quandary.
Looking Ahead: Can the Flyers Weather the Storm?
Despite their current struggles, the Flyers remain steadfast in their rebuilding process. Head coach John Tortorella has praised the team’s overall performance in recent games, pointing to strong forechecking and offensive zone play as signs of progress. “The score doesn’t indicate how the game was played,” Tortorella said after the loss to Vegas. “I thought we did a lot of good stuff in the offensive zone, and we were checking forward. Mistakes were made, but for most of the 60 minutes, I felt comfortable with how we were playing.”
However, even the best systems and strategies cannot compensate for unreliable goaltending. The Flyers’ inability to secure consistent performances in net is costing them valuable points in the standings and stalling their competitive development. While the team currently sits just a few points out of the wild card, their prospects for a postseason appearance remain dim without significant improvement between the pipes.
For fans, patience is the key word during this rebuilding phase. The Flyers are clearly playing the long game, and while the goaltending situation is a glaring weakness, it’s important to remember that this is only year two of what could be a multi-year process. Prospects like Michkov, along with several other young players in the pipeline, offer hope for a brighter future. But until the Flyers address their goaltending crisis, those future aspirations will continue to feel out of reach.
As the calendar turns to 2025, the Flyers face a critical juncture. Will they make the necessary adjustments to stabilize their goaltending, or will they persist with a strategy that risks further alienating fans and frustrating players? With the trade deadline looming in the coming months, all eyes will be on Danny Brière and the Flyers front office to see if they make bold moves to address the team’s most glaring weakness.
