Strengthening before the playoffs? Russian Fedotov can reportedly go to Philadelphia

Drafted by Philadelphia nearly nine years ago, Russian goaltender Ivan Fedotov is likely to finally make it to North America. The Russian should join the Flyers before the end of the season, according to The Athletic.

The Flyers drafted Fedotov in the seventh round in 2015. He signed a one-year contract with the club on May 7, 2022, but his contract in the NHL will not start until he joins the Flyers. So Fedotov has a valid contract with Philadelphia and could play already this season, after which he would become a free agent.

Fedotov was ready to come to the club when he signed the contract, but was then arrested and forced into military service in Russia and was reportedly sent to Severomorsk in the northern part of the country, near the border with Finland.

However, it should be done now, the NHL also confirmed to The Athletic server that there are no problems or obstacles that would prevent Fedotov, who defended the colors of CSKA Moscow during the season, from joining the team immediately.

In 44 regular season games, he was 21-22-1 with a 2.37 goals per game average and a 91.4% save percentage. His team was recently eliminated from the playoffs, and then on Thursday morning the team announced that his two-year contract with one year remaining had been terminated.

In the 2021-22 season, Fedotov led CSKA Moscow to the Gagarin Cup, posting a 14-10-2 record in 26 regular season games with a 2.00 goals-per-game average and a 91.9% save percentage. He also played at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, helping to win a silver medal.

But he wants to leave Russia and reportedly can’t wait to finally get a taste of the NHL. After only a year of catching? Fedotov believes he is mature enough to play in the NHL, despite the fact that he did not play any hockey until this season due to his military obligations.

“All citizens subject to military service in the country must repay their debt to the motherland,” Fedotov was quoted as saying last July. “We can discuss for a long time, but the law is the law. It must be respected. Everyone pays their debt to the country to one degree or another.”

Now he can help the Flyers in their goaltending predicament. And maybe help them in the playoffs.

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