Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Kolosov, Ashbee, Siegel

Dumpster fire

Thank you Bill, once again, for a voice of reason take on what is currently known about this situation.

Deep into July, the dead of the offseason, and the Flyers continue to provide amusement due to their dysfunction. Love it

Summary: Right now, there are conflicting timelines and information about what (if anything) Kolosov told the Flyers organization, when it was said, and the expectation level over whether he'll play Year 2 of his three-year ELC with the Phantoms. It's hard to sort out what's accurate, what's speculative and where things actually stand.

I will say that the optics don't look good in light of the Cutter Gauthier situation last year. Beyond that, not much is known for a fact and nothing has yet been fully confirmed.

By acknowledging the bolded part it feels like you came out a little strong in your tweet :

https://x.com/billmeltzer...5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

Nobody said he was a hobo living by the train tracks except you unless i missed that part of the accusations? I absolutely believe he was homesick. Did he have native Russian speakers he could talk to? What was done, again with people, to make him feel comfortable. In Briere's own words they made sure Michkov had an English tutor, 2 russian speaking teammates, and are bringing his family over explicitly to make him feel more comfortable? Hell the high paid FO met Michkov at the airport and carried his luggage. All that's missing is a Russian prostitute in the car ride to the hotel.

The Flyers tend to mess up and then overcorrect, publicly overdoing it to show the fans that they didn't do what they did.

Also, the issue with the Phantom's battling for a playoff spot is, just my opininion, ridiculous as they were one of the very worst teams in the AHL with not very many future NHLers, disagree? 13th out of 15 in the conference and still made the playoffs. Lappy deserves a lifetime extension for that. I feel that development of one of their few legitimate NHL prospects should've probably taken precedence but we do know that the Flyers prioritize playoffs over development at every level.

By acknowledging the bolded part it feels like you came out a little strong in your tweet :

https://x.com/billmeltzer...5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

Nobody said he was a hobo living by the train tracks except you unless i missed that part of the accusations? I absolutely believe he was homesick. Did he have native Russian speakers he could talk to? What was done, again with people, to make him feel comfortable. In Briere's own words they made sure Michkov had an English tutor, 2 russian speaking teammates, and are bringing his family over explicitly to make him feel more comfortable? Hell the high paid FO met Michkov at the airport and carried his luggage. All that's missing is a Russian prostitute in the car ride to the hotel.

The Flyers tend to mess up and then overcorrect, publicly overdoing it to show the fans that they didn't do what they did.

Also, the issue with the Phantom's battling for a playoff spot is, just my opininion, ridiculous as they were one of the very worst teams in the AHL with not very many future NHLers, disagree? 13th out of 15 in the conference and still made the playoffs. Lappy deserves a lifetime extension for that. I feel that development of one of their few legitimate NHL prospects should've probably taken precedence but we do know that the Flyers prioritize playoffs over development at every level.
- Flyers_01

No. There is a big difference between between honest reporting and assessment and the sensationalistic crap in that article headline.

I took pains to construct a time line as best as possible and to reach out to sources. The other guy did zero legwork, passed along everything at face value and used the most over the top, click bait wording possible.

Agreed the optics don’t look good. The Guathier situation may have some unforeseen repercussions. He simply told them to pound salt and they relented. Had the Flyers said fine we’ll let this play out and play hardball (ala Bob Clarke approach) I’m not sure another prospect would have the balls to pull this so soon after.
It is a different contractual situation…one guy never signed and one guy took their $.
Could the Flyers have done better job with Kosolov in helping him? Who knows. But they can’t have top prospects not want to play here and still sell yourself as a gold standard.

I will say that the optics don't look good in light of the Cutter Gauthier situation last year. Beyond that, not much is known for a fact and nothing has yet been fully confirmed.


Pretty much how I'm looking at it... lots of stories out there, none of which seem to be anything more than speculation.

But with that said, the optics are terrible no matter how you choose to view the situation, and the reality right now is that the Flyers are looking at yet another black eye in a climate where perception outweighs whatever the actual situation may be.

I’m just happy the Flyer family continues to run the team.

Incompetent, arrogant, and downright stupid people from top to bottom.

Jobs for life with zero accountability.

There is nothing wrong with alumni nights, and honouring the guys that played for the team - but the incestous hiring, and operational practices that prioritize relationships - and upholding an antiquated culture over actual success - needed to end a long time ago.

No. There is a big difference between between honest reporting and assessment and the sensationalistic crap in that article headline.

I took pains to construct a time line as best as possible and to reach out to sources. The other guy did zero legwork, passed along everything at face value and used the most over the top, click bait wording possible.
- bmeltzer

I guess that's on me for having no clue as to what article you were responding to with the tweet but every article that I've been able to find publicly tends to quote one source, which isn't great, that Kosolov felt isolated, nothing more.

Even Briere admitted as much : https://phillyhockeynow.c...v-in-a-hotel-for-a-month/

Flyers general manager Danny Briere seemed to admit the organization’s mistake in a June Q&A with Philly Hockey Now, telling us, “I’m sure the loneliness, it makes for long days. We didn’t have any other Russian-speaking players (in Lehigh Valley), you know? He didn’t have his friends, his family, or his girlfriend with him,” and that “. . . we’re learning along the way, too. We realize it was a tough situation for him.”

That probably contributed to the Michkov very public overcorrection.

I guess that's on me for having no clue as to what article you were responding to with the tweet but every article that I've been able to find publicly tends to quote one source, which isn't great, that Kosolov felt isolated, nothing more.

Even Briere admitted as much : https://phillyhockeynow.c...v-in-a-hotel-for-a-month/

Flyers general manager Danny Briere seemed to admit the organization’s mistake in a June Q&A with Philly Hockey Now, telling us, “I’m sure the loneliness, it makes for long days. We didn’t have any other Russian-speaking players (in Lehigh Valley), you know? He didn’t have his friends, his family, or his girlfriend with him,” and that “. . . we’re learning along the way, too. We realize it was a tough situation for him.”

That probably contributed to the Michkov very public overcorrection.
- Flyers_01

I don't know what happened but in my opinion. This is an NHL team. It's not a training ground in terms of top team executives making the key decisions for the team. These are issues that the GM should not be learning along the way. It's something that the average intelligent fan knows. That a young player, coming to NA needs the proper support. If they need to learn this, maybe they're not the right people for the job. The list of what the Flyers need to learn a long the way, grows by the day.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Kolosov, Ashbee, Siegel
- bmeltzer

I believe Pinocchio’s reporting over anything that comes from the flyers organization

I’m just happy the Flyer family continues to run the team.

Incompetent, arrogant, and downright stupid people from top to bottom.

Jobs for life with zero accountability.

There is nothing wrong with alumni nights, and honouring the guys that played for the team - but the incestous hiring, and operational practices that prioritize relationships - and upholding an antiquated culture over actual success - needed to end a long time ago.
- flyer_nutter

go flyers!

go flyers!
- anti-lame

Ahhh man. Hopefully one day.

How you feel about the FO?

I don't know what happened but in my opinion. This is an NHL team. It's not a training ground in terms of top team executives making the key decisions for the team. These are issues that the GM should not be learning along the way. It's something that the average intelligent fan knows. That a young player, coming to NA needs the proper support. If they need to learn this, maybe they're not the right people for the job. The list of what the Flyers need to learn a long the way, grows by the day.
- MJL

This isn't something that needs to be learned one would think. Did Briere not have Couturier stay at his house when Couturier was just breaking in. Did Carter Hart not have living on his own adjustments to make. I don't absolve the phantoms in any way for this as well. For whatever reason the flyer's neglected to bring someone in to be an advisor of sorts. It did not have to be a player. Hire a assistant coach under player development that could speak Russian.
With the influx of foreign born players in the NHL it would make sense to have an organizational program in place to help players adjust culturally to playing in the NHL. A program that doesn't just cater to the high profile prospects but to each one.
Why were the flyers players that could speak with him not asked to reach out?
If i were the flyers i would reach back out and ask him to rethink where he wants to play. Offer to bring his family and or girlfriend over. Hook the guy up with a real place to live not a hotel.
The flyers are becoming a tire fire inside of a dumpster.

Also not a rare occurrence with this team. Players being unhappy with the Flyers is a trend.

Ghost
Provorov
Hayes
Voracek

Wasn’t there something with Mason? Signing Richards, and Carter to mega deals only to move them shortly after.

Let’s not pretend that Ellis, and Patrick were happy. That Frost, and Farabee are happy currently.

The Couturier situation last season.

Krug refuses the trade. Gauthier refuses to play for them. Kolosov goes home.

It’s frankly pathetic.

I don't know what happened but in my opinion. This is an NHL team. It's not a training ground in terms of top team executives making the key decisions for the team. These are issues that the GM should not be learning along the way. It's something that the average intelligent fan knows. That a young player, coming to NA needs the proper support. If they need to learn this, maybe they're not the right people for the job. The list of what the Flyers need to learn a long the way, grows by the day.
- MJL

In terms of PR it's what makes their hires brilliant. Publicly, they can say the FO doesn't know what they don't know when stuff blows up.

As far as mixed messaging from players and FO :

https://975thefanatic.com...osov-philadelphia-flyers/

“The only thing I had heard (about Gauthier’s trade request) was the (decision to skip) development (camp), not wanting to be there. Obviously, as a player in this locker room, that was something that stayed with us (current Flyers). For as long as I know, you show up to development camp, whether you skate or not. If he doesn’t want to be here, we’re happy to move on.” -Travis Sanheim

Gauthier’s attitude clearly didn’t sit well with at least one NHL veteran, and Sanheim had no problem speaking for some of his teammates.

It’s fair to wonder if the same attitude translates to a questionable situation surrounding Alexei Kolosov.

This is a case where toeing the company line for one prospect makes you look like an ass regarding other prospects who do the same thing, regardless of circumstance.

And once again Briere lied :

He came in late last year to Lehigh (and) had a long season (before) coming here, so we just gave him the option to stay home a little longer.” -Danny Briere (July 1)

The young general manager directly admitted last summer that Gauthier declined his invitation to Development Camp. He told the media that the organization didn’t know why, but he never mentioned the Flyers offering up an option.

Also not a rare occurrence with this team. Players being unhappy with the Flyers is a trend.

Ghost
Provorov
Hayes
Voracek

Wasn’t there something with Mason? Signing Richards, and Carter to mega deals only to move them shortly after.

Let’s not pretend that Ellis, and Patrick were happy. That Frost, and Farabee are happy currently.

The Couturier situation last season.

Krug refuses the trade. Gauthier refuses to play for them. Kolosov goes home.

It’s frankly pathetic.
- flyer_nutter

Let's not forget Ryan Johansen. Not sure if that was just the Flyers not wanting him or if it was mutual?

Let's not forget Ryan Johansen. Not sure if that was just the Flyers not wanting him or if it was mutual?
- Flyers_01

Is it really shocking they went with Scarborough Jones for hockey ops president?

Gaslighting the fanbase is the only thing they are remotely good at doing.

Sooooo Michkov is signed, many will be excited to see him play...is that suppose to carry me through the season? Asking for a soccer fan.

Is kolosov the first Russian prospect to want their contact terminated?

Is kolosov the first Russian prospect to want their contact terminated?
- WhiskeyMan

You mean besides Fedotov forcing the IHF to get involved? Literally 2 out of the last 3 flyers Russian prospects. It's even mentioned in some of the Kolosov articles.

https://broadstreetbuzz.c...flyers-signs-cska-moscow/

Look, you knew the answer before you asked the question. Let's hear the point you want to make without dragging it out.

I guess that's on me for having no clue as to what article you were responding to with the tweet but every article that I've been able to find publicly tends to quote one source, which isn't great, that Kosolov felt isolated, nothing more.

Even Briere admitted as much : https://phillyhockeynow.c...v-in-a-hotel-for-a-month/

Flyers general manager Danny Briere seemed to admit the organization’s mistake in a June Q&A with Philly Hockey Now, telling us, “I’m sure the loneliness, it makes for long days. We didn’t have any other Russian-speaking players (in Lehigh Valley), you know? He didn’t have his friends, his family, or his girlfriend with him,” and that “. . . we’re learning along the way, too. We realize it was a tough situation for him.”

That probably contributed to the Michkov very public overcorrection.
- Flyers_01

the 3 stooges are learning along the way. Guess simple common sense doesn't apply.

Is kolosov the first Russian prospect to want their contact terminated?
- WhiskeyMan

what does that have to do with the current flyers situation?

Also not a rare occurrence with this team. Players being unhappy with the Flyers is a trend.

Ghost
Provorov
Hayes
Voracek

Wasn’t there something with Mason? Signing Richards, and Carter to mega deals only to move them shortly after.

Let’s not pretend that Ellis, and Patrick were happy. That Frost, and Farabee are happy currently.

The Couturier situation last season.

Krug refuses the trade. Gauthier refuses to play for them. Kolosov goes home.

It’s frankly pathetic.
- flyer_nutter

And i look forward to the expected Torts vs Michkov tilt. Will the tres hombres take Torts or the prestigious player Michkov's side. 🤔