With news breaking today regarding Ivan Fedotov and his possible trek to end up being the Flyers backup goaltender the rest of the year, Flyers general manager Danny Briere addressed the status of a few players today (March 28) in Montreal prior to the Flyers taking on the Canadiens. Namely, two of three injured defensemen (Nick Seeler and Jamie Drysdale) are getting closer to coming back while Rasmus Ristolainen looks more iffy at best. As for the situation with KHL goalie Alexei Kolosov’s status Briere said it involves a bit more time and paperwork.
“As far as I know Seeler is getting closer,” Briere said. “We don’t have an exact date but maybe (there’s a) small chance this weekend, maybe after the weekend. He’s getting close. So it’s really encouraging in his case.”
The thought of Seeler coming back during this vital stretch of games is a huge boost to the back end who have been decimated with injuries, bumps and bruises the second half of this season. Briere however was a little bit more hesistant in terms of when Drysdale will be suiting up for the Flyers. It’s soon, but most likely some time after Seeler returns.
“Drysdale is getting better and better,” Briere said. “I don’t think he’s as close as Seeler is but he’s moving in the right direction.” When asked further if Drysdale, who injured his arm in the Flyer’ 7-6 loss to Pittsburgh on Feb. 25, would most likely be playing games before the end of the regular season, Briere suggested it was a very good possibility.
Regarding Rasmus Ristolainen, who has only played in 31 games thus far (thanks hockeydb), Briere said the big defensiveman is most likely “a little way’s away.” The general manager also said there seems to be more uncertainty in Ristolainen’s status compared to Seeler and Drysdale. “In his case we’re still not sure if going to be able to come back, but the other two have taken steps forwards,” Briere said.
Finally, regarding the Kolosov situation, Briere said the team is dealing with “a lot of immigration stuff” so that’s why the team doesn’t “have an exact timeline” as to when Kolosov will be suiting up for either the Flyers or most likely the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL. “It’s always tough to get him in the right places, the right visas. I know our people are working on it to try and make it work. It seems to just get pushed out and pushed out. We were hoping he’d be here by now but I think soon. I just don’t have an exact day for it.”
When pressed, Briere said he hopes Kolosov is going to be in the U.S. “shortly” and would play with the Phantoms to start. Briere also said the team is trying to “get clarification” from the NHL regarding if the Flyers are able to “switch an emergency recall” in Felix Sandstrom. The team has used their four call-ups in terms of their goaltending situation after using Cal Petersen and Sandstrom to back up starting goalie Sam Ersson.
Once again, the fact that Briere as well as President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones were able to do most of the work needed to get Fedotov in the position as a possible Flyers backup during this stretch without any hint or leak is a testament to the front office’s credibility. Hopefully for Flyers fans Seeler and or Drysdale are suiting up soon for crucial playoff implication contests as March rolls into April.
