Newcomers Andrei Kuzmenko, Jakob Pelletier finally join up with Flyers after a week-long odyssey: ‘It was a terrible time.’
Kuzmenko and Pelletier, who were acquired in a trade with Calgary a week ago, had their arrival in Philly first delayed by visa issues and then flight cancellations.
As coach John Tortorella chatted with the media Friday in the Flyers Training Center press conference room that overlooks the main sheet the team skates on, one player remained on the ice below.
The sound of a puck could be heard as the bench boss spoke about 30 minutes after the Flyers wrapped up a short, spirited practice. Tortorella’s presser lasted just shy of 11 minutes; new winger Andrei Kuzmenko was out there for 10 of them.
It’s no surprise he stayed out late. Acquired just after midnight on Jan. 31 from the Calgary Flames with Jakob Pelletier, the pair has been tied up in the tedious and prolonged process of getting a U.S. work visa.
» READ MORE: Arrival of Kuzmenko and Pelletier was delayed because of work visa holdups
Then there were plane issues.
Pelletier and Kuzmenko left Alberta on Wednesday afternoon and arrived in Toronto around midnight, with everyone figuring it would make for a shorter trip to Philly. Instead, they got to the airport at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday and their 9 a.m. flight was canceled. Rebooked on a 2 p.m. flight, that flight was then delayed until 4:30 p.m.
As Pelletier said, “It was a long day.” Indeed. But the duo finally arrived in Philly on Thursday and watched the second period of the Flyers' 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals from the team’s suite at the Wells Fargo Center.
On Friday, they finally hopped on the ice with their new team. “I miss practice with the team. After the trade, it was a terrible time. Seven days, no practice,” Kuzmenko said.
Although they got a few skates in with Calgary of the Western Hockey League at the Scotiabank Saddledome, this was their first official day practicing with an NHL club again. Pelletier rotated through and Kuzmenko skated on a line with Scott Laughton and Travis Konecny. But to kickstart things, Kuzmenko spent some time passing and shooting with Matvei Michkov.
“Very good player, very young. Future superstar, I hope,” Kuzmenko said of Michkov, his teammate with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League in 2021-22. “Matvei is a very good player.”
While Kuzmenko has a familiar face in Michkov, plus three more Russian speakers to chat with, Pelletier has former World Juniors teammate Jamie Drysdale. He also has fellow French Canadians Nick Deslauriers, who called him the day after he was traded, and Sean Couturier, who sent a text, to speak with.
“They kind of make you feel welcome and appreciated,” said Pelletier, whose stall is between Emil Andrae and veteran Garnet Hathaway in Voorhees. “So yeah, it means kind of the world to me, to be honest.”
Both players are looking forward to the opportunity for fresh starts. They should make their debuts in orange and black on Saturday when the Pittsburgh Penguins come to town (7 p.m., NBCSP) for the final game before the 4 Nations Face-Off break. The Flyers will be looking to snap a five-game skid in which they have been outscored 17-5. They are 1-6-1 in their past eight games.
The new guys could help with that. As Kuzmenko said, he has a “good shot and a good hockey IQ.” The Flyers hope he can refind the level that saw him pot 39 goals and 74 points in 2022-23 with the Vancouver Canucks.
» READ MORE: Matvei Michkov busts out; Ivan Fedotov not good enough in loss to Caps
The Flyers hope they can unlock the 23-year-old Pelletier’s talent at the NHL level after he has put up big numbers in juniors and the American Hockey League. Tortorella said Pelletier is “chomping on the bit” to get going. It’s not surprising the bench boss used a horse analogy but if you ask Pelletier, his game is like another animal Tortorella loves.
“I’m a dog on a bone,” he said. “I’m a guy who plays each shift like it’s the last one. I’m not the biggest guy [at 5-foot-9], but I’m going to hit guys, I’m going go in front of the net. I’m going to do everything in my power to win each game here.”
Hmmm ... Dogs — specifically hungry dogs — and Philadelphia sports. This sounds familiar.
Breakaways
Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen returned to practice after suffering an injury in the Flyers loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. ... Forward Ryan Poehling also skated with the team in a non-contact jersey. He has been out since suffering a head injury on Jan. 16. ... Before practice, Jacob Gaucher was loaned to Lehigh Valley of the AHL. The center skated in three games, including his NHL debut on Feb. 2. He averaged 7 minutes, 30 seconds of ice time. ... After practice, the Flyers placed Anthony Richard on waivers. If he clears, he will be sent back to the Phantoms. In his first stint with the Flyers in November, Richard potted two goals and six points in seven games but after being recalled in late January, he had zero points in eight games.