Flyers Announce Signing Of Goalie, But Might Lose Ivan Fedotov

The Philadelphia Flyers signed a goalie on the day they might have lost one.

CapFriendly reported Saturday that the Philadelphia Flyers signed 2021 draft pick Alexei Kolosov to a three-year, entry-level contract. 

Kolosov is 21. He was a third-round pick, the 78th overall. He had a 2.55 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in 42 games last year with Dinamo Minsk of the KHL.

His contract figures, via CapFriendly: $832,500 base salary; $92,500 salary bonus; $80,000 minors, for all three seasons.

From Elite Prospects, in his 2021 draft year: “Smooth and fluid on his skates, Kolosov has the speed to get from one side of the blue paint to the other before the puck has even left his opponents’ sticks.”

Russian Issue

But there are complications in the Flyers’ attempt to bring Russian goalie Ivan Fedotov to North America.

Fedotov reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with CSKA Moscow. His intent, according to multiple reports, is to remain in Russia. The KHL on Saturday registered Fedotov’s contract, leaving open the possibility of the goalie remaining in Russia, where he is now under contract until 2024-25.

The Philadelphia Flyers tolled the goalie’s contract earlier this month — rolling it over to next season. The Flyers believe they have a valid deal with the 26-year-old. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly also believes the Flyers have a valid contract.

The NHL and KHL have operated with a memorandum of understanding, which means one league can’t grab a player from the other league. But that agreement was suspended by the NHL last year.

The Flyers drafted Fedotov in the 2015 seventh round (188th overall). The team’s plan was to have Fedotov compete to back up Carter Hart this past season. He reportedly was arrested by the Russian military nearly a year ago for allegedly failing to report for mandatory military service.

In the spring, Fedotov’s military term was said to expire after he competed in an armed services hockey tournament. Then, he would be free to join the Flyers — until these latest developments.

Fedotov is considered one of the top goalies not playing in the NHL. He won a silver medal in the 2022 Winter Olympics.

In 2021-22 for CSKA Moscow, the last year he played, he had a 2.00 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage in a 14-10-2 season. He was 16-6 in the playoffs with a 1.85 GAA and .937 save percentage.

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