The Ivan Fedotov chronicles have been an ongoing saga since the summer of 2022 and while it has been mostly frustrating, there seems to be a glimmer of hope after all.
According to several reports based in Russia that were later confirmed, CSKA Moscow has terminated his contract, which means the Philadelphia Flyers might finally be able to get their hands on the behemoth goaltender.
In the summer of 2022, Fedotov was a few weeks away from travelling to Philadelphia after having signed his ELC with the club before he was arrested for trying to evade military service and was then sentenced to spend a year in service in the Arctic.
As we headed into the summer of 2023, CSKA Moscow commented several times on Fedotov’s situation and how we will be reporting to their camp in the fall and battle for the starting goaltending job. The Flyers still held his rights so they weren’t going to let this go without a fight and it eventually went to the IIHF. They sided with the Flyers and laid a few sanctions on both the club and goaltender.
“Based on the evidence provided to the IIHF by the involved parties, the IIHF has determined that Ivan Fedotov has a valid NHL Contract with the Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Club for the 2023/2024 season. Accordingly, the IIHF has determined that Ivan Fedotov was in breach of a Professional Player Contract per Article II.4.1 of the IIHF International Transfer Regulations when he signed a contract with CSKA hockey club for the 2023/2024 season.
In accordance with Article II.4.1 of the IIHF International Transfer Regulations, Ivan Fedotov was given two (2) weeks to either go back to his former club (i.e Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Club); or obtain a release from his former club. As neither action occurred within the given period, the IIHF has imposed the following sporting sanctions on Ivan Fedotov:
– A four (4) month suspension on playing in official national and international games during playing periods. The suspension shall take effect on 1 September 2023 (first CSKA regular season game) and conclude on 31 December 2023.
In accordance with the Article II.4.2 of the IIHF International Transfer Regulations, it shall be presumed, unless established to the contrary, that any club signing a Player who has breached his Professional Player Contract has induced that Player to commit a breach. Therefore, as CSKA Hockey Club was aware of the Player’s NHL Contract and did not establish to the IIHF that it has not induced the Player to commit a breach of his Professional Player Contract, the IIHF has imposed the following sporting sanctions on CSKA Hockey Club:
– A one (1) season ban on International Transfers taking effect on 11 August 2023 and concluding on 10 August 2024.”
Nevertheless, the netminder remained in Russia for the duration of the 2023-24 season and played for CSKA Moscow even with the 4-month ban being placed. He posted a 21-22-1 record with a .914 SV% and a 2.37 GAA in the regular season and then went 1-4 with a .916 SV% and a 2.57 in the playoffs.
It remains to be seen if the IIHF will look to punish him any further but for the time being, Fedotov is no longer contractually obligated to play or stay in Russia.
The Flyers goaltending landscape changed drastically after the Hockey Canada investigation came to light. Without Carter Hart in the picture, Samuel Ersson has been thrust into the unenviable position with no competent backups behind him. Fedotov could change all of that if and when he were to join the Flyers.
With Alexei Kolosov heading over to North America as well, the Russian dispersion can hopefully finally be put to rest. The club needs to strengthen their goaltending with the playoff push heating up by the day and if Fedotov plays anything like he has over his lengthy KHL career, the Flyers are in good hands.
