If you have been following the Ivan Fedotov saga, there have been plenty of twists and turns to the story. The latest chapter is an expected one. After the IIHF handed out sanctions to both Fedotov and CSKA Moscow, the decision would head to an appeal process.
Said decision was the IIHF ruling that Fedotov contract with the Flyers was valid. It had been tolled the previous season as the Russian goaltender was detained trying to leave for North America. After mandatory military service, Fedotov was to be able to come to play for the Flyers.
CSKA ignored that and instead signed Fedotov to a two-year deal. More trouble would soon follow as the team disregarded the original findings and had Fedotov play in their season opener in September. Fedotov appeared in 23 games for CSKA this season. CSKA and the league felt the ruling infrindged on his ability to work.
And that leads us to the final decision from the IIHF. Fedotov and CSKA’s appeal was denied, keeping the sanctions in place. That upheld the ban of four months for Fedotov in both national and international competitions. It also gave the team a one-year ban on international transfers. One of the key findings from the IIHF was about CSKA’s coercion of Fedotov in having him sign a contract despite his valid NHL deal.
”Not only did CSKA not rebut the presumption of inducement, but the evidence established that CSKA did induce Mr. Fedotov to breach his SPC with the Philadelphia Flyers by signing Mr. Fedotov to a contract with CSKA when it knew or ought to have known that Mr. Fedotov’s contract with the Philadelphia Flyers was tolled.”
It’s been clear that Fedotov has been a victim in all of this. He attempted to come to North America before. While he is found guilty in this as well, it’s hard to believe that he had much of a say in what was going on. At this point, it is unlikely that the Flyers, or potentially even the NHL, will see Fedotov.
Fedotov will be a free agent after the 2024-25 season. He will be close to 29 years of age by then. It would be tough to see him making his debut at that point. Anything can happen, but it may be time for everyone to move on once and for all.