Flyers Loan Goaltender Kolosov to AHL During Olympic Break

Roster move allows young prospect to continue development while Flyers manage injuries ahead of second half of season

Feb. 6, 2026 at 3:55pm

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The Philadelphia Flyers have decided to loan goaltender Aleksei Kolosov to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate during the Olympic break. This strategic move will ensure Kolosov continues getting playing time while backup goalie Sam Ersson remains sidelined with an injury. The Flyers are using this pause in NHL action to manage their roster and player development ahead of the second half of the season.

Why it matters

The Flyers are making a calculated roster move to keep their young goaltending prospect Kolosov active and developing during the Olympic break, rather than having him sit idle while the NHL pauses. This reflects the team's focus on managing their roster and player pipeline effectively as they aim to build on a competitive first half of the season.

The details

With backup goalie Sam Ersson expected to be healthy and ready to return after the Olympic break, the Flyers have decided to loan Aleksei Kolosov to their AHL affiliate. This ensures Kolosov will continue getting playing time during the NHL's hiatus, rather than sitting idle. The Flyers are using this midseason pause to manage their roster and keep their young players active and developing.

  • The Flyers loaned Aleksei Kolosov to the AHL on the first day of the Olympic break.

The players

Aleksei Kolosov

A young goaltender in the Flyers' system who will continue developing with playing time in the AHL during the Olympic break.

Sam Ersson

The Flyers' backup goaltender who is currently injured but expected to be healthy and ready to return after the Olympic break.

Danny Briere

The Flyers' general manager who made key offseason acquisitions that have strengthened the team this season.

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What’s next

With backup goalie Sam Ersson expected to be healthy and ready to return after the Olympic break, the Flyers will evaluate their roster and playing time needs to determine when Kolosov will rejoin the NHL club.

The takeaway

The Flyers are demonstrating a strategic approach to player development and roster management during the midseason Olympic break, ensuring their young prospects like Kolosov continue to get valuable playing time while also positioning the team for a strong second-half push.