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Ivan Fedotov Officially Will Not Be With The Flyers This Season

By Scott Cole

Feb 20, 2022; Beijing, China; Team ROC goalkeeper Ivan Fedotov (28) makes a save in front of Team Finland forward Iiro Pakarinen (81) in the third period during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2022; Beijing, China; Team ROC goalkeeper Ivan Fedotov (28) makes a save in front of Team Finland forward Iiro Pakarinen (81) in the third period during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports /
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In the last few months, when most people thought of Russia, they were thinking of the war in Ukraine and the horrific things the people there have endured. Part of that story of the conflict is a weird little side story involving the Philadelphia Flyers.

During the summer, as the Ukrainian offensive began to take form, Flyers’ goalie prospect  Ivan Fedotov was suddenly arrested. The former draft pick had signed an entry-level deal, after playing, and starring, in the KHL for the last few years. This past season, he helped guide CSKA Moscow to the Gagarin Cup, the Stanley Cup of the KHL.

Everything was in place for Fedotov to come to the US and try out for a spot to be Carter Hart’s backup. And in case Hart got hurt, Fedotov would be one of the first in line to take the starting role; depending on how he performed in training camp.

Then Russian happened. More specifically, the Russian army happened. Technically, CKSA Moscow has ties to the military. So, technically, Fedotov is the private property of the Russian Army. His agent tried to work out an arrangement. When that didn’t work, he was “detained” and sent to a Russian military installation.

After months of no news, it was reported recently that Fedotov had dropped an appeal with the government. This means he will serve his one-year duty in the military. He will not be allowed to go to North America this year.

What does this mean for the Flyers? Well, the salary and contract that they earmarked for him are now rolled over to the next season. That means that the $925,000 salary that was slated to go to him will be taken off the salary cap (Now they are only $2.3 million over! Whoo hoo!) This also opens up a spot for another goalie, like Samuel Errson, to prove themselves to be either the backup for Hart or the starter in Lehigh Valley.

At least we know that Fedotov is alive. What happens next for him is anyone’s guess. More than likely, any chance he has of coming over to play for Philly in the future is getting less and less by the day. We hope that he will be safe in the months to come.

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