Deadline Looming For Flyers To Make Decision on Kolosov

 The Alexei Kolosov Saga isn't done in Philly just yet. As the Russian goalie prospect starts his season at Lehigh Valley in the AHL (an assignment he was not happy with last spring), we get word that the Philadelphia Flyers have a deadline with which to make a decision on Kolosov's immediate NHL future, or he could be heading back home. 

Insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet tells us:

Philadelphia has until the end of October to convince Aleksei Kolosov of its plan for him. That’s when he can consider returning to the KHL.

The whole saga has been dragging on all summer, as the goalie decided he wanted to stay in Russia this season rather than come to North America and risk being plunked back in the AHL. He skipped Developmental Camp, Rookie Camp, and even a large part of the Flyers' preseason and training camp. 

However, in a sudden about-face near the end of September, the 22-year-old agreed to come to Philly to show the Flyers just where he was at in terms of his development. 

But it was always with the caveat that if he wasn't deemed ready to play in the NHL on at least a semi-full-time basis, he would look at returning to the KHL. GM Danny Briere has admitted that that is still on the table. 

The countdown is on, at three weeks and counting. 

The Flyers have opened the season with Samuel Ersson and Kolosov's countrymate, Ivan Fedotov as their tandem between the pipes.