The Philadelphia Flyers’ decision to sign Ivan Fedotov to a two-year, $6.5 million contract extension has been met with mixed reactions from fans and the hockey community. The 27-year-old goaltender has only played three NHL games, posting a 0-1-1 record and a .811 save percentage. However, Fedotov’s impressive resume includes an Olympic Silver Medal, a Gagarin Cup, and the KHL’s Best Goaltender award just two seasons ago.
The Flyers believe that Fedotov has the potential to be a top-tier goalie in the NHL. They were planning to sign him before he was arrested and detained in Russia for a year to do military service, causing him to miss the entire 2022-23 season. Fedotov returned to hockey this season and played well for CSKA Moscow, going 21-22-1 with a .914 save percentage and four shutouts.
Some critics argue that Fedotov’s $3.25 million annual salary is too high for a player with limited NHL experience. However, the Flyers were never going to sign him to a cheap contract after his successful KHL career. The team is also facing a number of financial challenges, with several large contracts on the books.
The Flyers are hoping that Fedotov can develop into a reliable starting goalie alongside Sam Ersson. They believe that his experience and potential are worth the investment, despite the risks associated with his contract. Only time will tell if Fedotov can live up to the expectations and help the Flyers improve their fortunes.
