Flyers Begin Extension Talks With Newly-Arrived Fedotov

With their goaltending situation on the brink of disaster in recent weeks, the Philadelphia Flyers got some huge news this week with the unexpected arrival of Russian goaltending prospect Ivan Fedotov. Now that they finally have the long-awaited backstop in tow, it appears that the Flyers have no intention of letting him go anytime soon. Word is, they're already working on a contract extension for the pending UFA even though he has yet to play a single minute in the NHL.

Briere confirms Ivan Fedotov is the backup now, and Felix Sandstrom has been reassigned back to the Phantoms.

Also sounds like both parties are working on an extension. Briere says he doesn't "expect it to be an issue."

— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) March 29, 2024

With Felix Sandstrom reassigned to the Lehigh-Valley Phantoms of the AHL, Fedotov is now officially the backup to the recently struggling Samuel Ersson, and GM Danny Briere is working on a new contract with Fedotov's camp, and is so confident about getting it done, he says he "doesn't expect it to be an issue."

The Russian netminder spent his season defying an IIHF ruling last fall by playing in the KHL with CSKA after the international body ruled that his new contract with the Russian team should be voided and he should be Flyers property for 2023-24. 

Insider Elliotte Friedman explained what led to Fedotov finally making his way over to North America after all: “The current situation (in Russia) was untenable; he didn’t want to be there, he wasn’t playing well, and the Flyers wanted him in North America,” Friedman said.

Fedotov posted a .914 SV% and 2.37 GAA this season with CSKA, which sounds just fine, but it was actually the worst performance in his last four seasons in his homeland.

Back in Philadelphia, the Flyers have been struggling, going 4-8-2 in March, and Ersson has had an ugly .875 save percentage through 11 games this month. Earlier in the season the team lost its starting goaltender Carter Hart, who is off on leave due to sexual assault charges over a 2018 Hockey Canada incident, and it is unclear if he will ever return to the NHL.

The Flyers are currently clinging to 3rd place in the Metropolitan Division by a single point, going into Saturday night's action.