Columbus will purchase Fedotov after his first NHL season got here in effectively under expectations. The 28-year-old had an extended highway to NHL minutes — together with a years-long contract saga that concerned obligatory army service in Russia and IIHF sanctions imposed on him over conflicting contracts with Philadelphia and CSKA Moscow — however lastly arrived in North America in April 2024. He made his first three NHL appearances for the Flyers earlier than signing a two-year extension with a $3.275M cap hit. That theoretically locked of their goaltending tandem with Samuel Ersson additionally within the image by not less than this upcoming season.
Ivan Fedotov might be insurance coverage possibility for Columbus Blue Jackets
But Fedotov, a former KHL Goalie of the 12 months who was seen as doubtlessly one of many subsequent wave of high-end Russian netminders, barely held onto an NHL job. The army service that triggered him to overlook the 2022-23 season totally was a major statistical turning level for the 6-foot-7, 214-pound goalie. He made 26 reduction appearances final 12 months, logging a .880 SV% and three.15 GAA with a 6-13-4 document. His 33.3% high quality begin price was fairly subpar, particularly contemplating he posted a save proportion under .850 in 10 of his 24 begins. With an anticipated GAA of two.58, Fedotov additionally acquired essentially the most manageable defensive workload of the Flyers’ three goalies, in accordance with MoneyPuck.
Columbus was in search of an insurance coverage possibility if starter Elvis Merzlikins’ struggles proceed and teen Jet Greaves’ first probability at a full-time NHL position doesn’t pan out. Fedotov is way from a positive factor both, however they’re betting on his abroad observe document as proof of a possible bounce-back. He boasts a .921 SV% and a pair of.22 GAA with 10 shutouts in 133 profession KHL video games and had a 2021-22 season for the document books. He led CSKA to a Gagarin Cup championship with a staggering .937 SV% and 1.85 GAA in 22 postseason video games. He was named the league’s greatest netminder and a First Workforce All-Star.
The Jackets, whom PuckPedia initiatives to have over $15.5M in cap house, could have no drawback taking over Fedotov’s full wage for a 12 months earlier than he turns into eligible for unrestricted free company subsequent summer season. If he doesn’t make the workforce over Greaves and Merzlikins, his cap hit is excessive sufficient that he ought to clear waivers with out problem and function a third-string possibility in AHL Cleveland. It’s price noting that Greaves is not waiver-exempt. It’ll be an uphill battle for Fedotov to persuade the Jackets to threat shedding Greaves on waivers, so if he makes the workforce, it’ll doubtless imply a three-goalie rotation in Columbus.
In the meantime, the Flyers clear up a little bit of a logjam. With Fedotov within the image, they’d 4 goalies within the combine for NHL minutes. Ersson and Aleksei Kolosov had been nonetheless underneath contract, they usually additionally inked Daniel Vladar to a two-year, $6.7M deal in free company to problem Ersson for the No. 1 job. In buying and selling Fedotov, they filter out the worst-value contract of the 4 and, with Kolosov remaining waiver-exempt, may now return to a conventional two-goalie setup with solely Ersson and Vladar on the opening night time roster.
Regardless of carrying a cap hit above $3M, Fedotov will solely price the Blue Jackets $775K in precise {dollars}. His base wage in 2025-26 was solely the league minimal. His different compensation got here through a $2.5M signing bonus, which the Flyers have already paid.
