Ivan Fedotov’s Unusual NHL Road Takes Another Turn After Trade to Blue Jackets

After his discharge, according to The Athletic's Kevin Kurz, Fedotov was “strongly suggested” to play for CSKA rather than leave for North America. The Flyers contested his new contract with the Russian club, and the International Ice Hockey Federation sided with Philadelphia in 2024. Russia, however, ignored the ruling.

Fedotov eventually returned to Philadelphia in March 2024 when CSKA terminated his deal, finally fulfilling his original NHL contract and appearing in three regular-season games at the end of the 2023-24 season.

“It’s been a long road. I give him a lot of props to keep pushing and finally have the chance to come,” Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said at the time.

Fedotov himself admitted that the ordeal was draining for him and sounded relieved that the saga was over.

“Really difficult two years it was for me,” Fedotov said after signing a two-year, $6.5 million deal with the Flyers. “Now I’m here and for sure, yeah, I’m so excited and happy (to) be here.”

Looking Ahead to Ivan Fedotov's NHL Future

After playing just three games as a rookie in the 2023-24 season, Fedotov's first full season in the NHL last year proved challenging for him, backstopping the rebuilding Flyers.

Fedotov went 6-13-4 with a 3.15 goals-against average and an .880 save percentage in 26 appearances, part of a Flyers tandem that posted the league’s worst combined save percentage. The team responded by signing Dan Vladar this summer, making Fedotov expendable.

Columbus, which wasn't much better and allowed the eighth-most goals in the league last year, sees value in Fedotov as a depth option in goal.

General manager Don Waddell called Fedotov’s addition an important safety net behind Elvis Merzlikins and Jet Greaves.

"Ivan has great size, is athletic for a big goaltender and will provide our club with additional depth at the position,” Waddell said on Sunday. "That has been a priority for us during the offseason and this trade accomplishes that.”

The Blue Jackets, flush with cap space, absorbed Fedotov's full $3.275 million hit but will owe him only $775,000 in actual salary after Philadelphia already paid a signing bonus.

For Fedotov, whose career was nearly derailed by geopolitics and off-ice issues, the trade will add another chapter in a saga that has already tested his resilience and turned into a real-life movie, giving him another chance at succeeding in the USA.