Why Flyers moved on from Ivan Fedotov – and why Carter Hart isn’t in their plans

It is never quiet in Philadelphia when it comes to goaltending. The Flyers seem to be in a perpetual state of searching for it, but on Sunday GM Daniel Briere went down the road of “addition by subtraction.”

As first reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Flyers unloaded goaltender Ivan Fedotov and his $3.275 million AAV to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a sixth-round Draft pick in 2026. The Jackets, who had reportedly been looking for a goaltender, are expected to waive Fedotov, per the Athletic’s Aaron Portzline. Fedotov, who came over to North America in the spring of 2024, sported a 3.15 GAA and a .880 save percentage in 26 contests for the Flyers last season. 

The unloading of Fedotov’s contract allows the Flyers to not have to operate in off-season LTIR in the event of an untimely injury, a source told me on Monday. While the Flyers were cap-compliant – they were a little less than $300,000 under the salary cap – they wanted more flexibility and more breathing room under the cap, I’m told. They also wanted the cap space to account for any potential bonuses triggered on their entry-level deals and to avoid overages next season. The trade gives the Flyers a little less than $2.7 million in cap space, per puckpedia.com. 

Speaking with a source on Monday, I was told that moving Fedotov is not the precursor to a subsequent move. Many have speculated on the future of goaltender Carter Hart, who was recently just reinstated by the NHL. According to a source, Hart is seeking a “fresh start,” and, he is expected to sign with a Western Conference team, per the Athletic’s Michael Russo. The Utah Mammoth are a team I’ve heard as one to keep an eye on in the Hart sweepstakes. 

Though the Fedotov move affords the Flyers the ability to start the season outside of LTIR, it doesn’t mean the Flyers won’t explore that option in-season if need be. Speaking with a source, I’ve heard that the Flyers will entertain using LTIR if need be – i.e. moving defenseman Ryan Ellis, who hasn’t played in four years, onto LTIR – during the season. But for the time being, the team wanted a cushion to avoid it to start the season.  

The Flyers’ goaltending situation is very much in flux from a long-term perspective, as there isn’t a clear-cut starter beyond this season. Samuel Ersson still has the confidence of the club, while 28-year-old Dan Vladar will get a chance to seize a starter’s gig for the first time in his career. Ersson, who will turn 26 in October, was given a vote of confidence by president of hockey operations Keith Jones last week during a media availability. While staying healthy has been a challenge of Ersson, he will have better insolation this season to realize his potential. 

As for Vladar, the former Boston Bruins third-round pick and Calgary Flames goaltender will get arguably his best opportunity to be a starter. Sporting a career .895 SV%, Vladar, who signed a two-year deal at a $3.35 million AAV, will look to follow a similar path as Anthony Stolarz with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Samuel Montembeault with the Montreal Canadiens as a late-blooming goaltender.

Meanwhile, 2023 second-round selection Carson Bjarnason will cut his teeth in the AHL this season, while 2021 third round pick Aleksei Kolosov is now penciled in as the team’s third-string goaltender. 

Kolosov, 23, had a contentious relationship with the Flyers last season, spending a lot of time in the NHL as the Flyers’ third goaltender as opposed to playing in the AHL, which may have hurt his development. According to a source, Kolosov is more accepting of his role this season as the team’s No .3 goaltender, which may be related to his KHL’s club, Minsk, not being an option, as they recently signed arguably the best goaltender in Russia, Zachary Fucale. The Flyers expect Kolosov and Bjarnason to pair as the tandem of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season, barring injury. 

The Flyers are looking to turn a corner this season under new head coach Rick Tocchet this season, and figuring out who the long-term fixture between the pipes is will be a major factor.