Flyers Should Claim Avalanche’s Ivan Prosvetov Off Waivers

The Colorado Avalanche placed goaltender Ivan Prosvetov on waivers on Saturday afternoon. Without Carter Hart, the Philadelphia Flyers now have a need for goaltending depth behind Sam Ersson, and Prosvetov should be worth a look.

Ersson, 24, has been pressed into a full-time starter’s role but has lost each of his last four starts, allowing four goals in three of four games. The Flyers are 0-3-0 since Hart took his leave of absence on Jan. 23.

Prosvetov hasn’t been excellent for the Avalanche, which is mostly why he’s been placed on waivers. In 11 appearances this year, the Russian is 4-3-1 with a 3.16 GAA and a .895 save percentage. It’s also worth noting that Alexandar Georgiev, who is representing the Colorado Avalanche with Team MacKinnon at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, has a 2.91 GAA and a .899 save percentage this year.

In addition, Prosvetov is still just 24 years old and will turn 25 in early March. Standing at 6-foot-5, the former Arizona Coyotes netminder is a lot bigger than Ersson (6-foot-3) and Cal Petersen (6-foot-1).

I got in touch with Colorado Hockey Now’s Evan Rawal, who gave us the inside scoop on Prosvetov.

He’s a great guy, first and foremost. Probably one of the most charismatic goalies I’ve ever come across. On the ice, he has everything you would want in a goalie. He’s big, he moves really well, and he takes up a lot of the net. The problem is that he moves a little too much. A little too much unnecessary movement, and that opens up some holes. He performed well to start, but his last game was a disaster, and I think the staff just hasn’t had a ton of faith in him to begin with. He’s still a young guy and has a lot of tools, but I wouldn’t say he’s a surefire NHL goalie at this point.

Of course, the Flyers will first need to hope that Prosvetov makes it to them on waivers and that another team does not claim him first. From there, the 24-year-old could become a worthwhile project for a team that suddenly needs a goaltender with NHL experience that can give them quality starts occasionally.

Given Prosvetov’s age and high upside, it’s possible he will end up sticking around for longer should Hart not remain with the Flyers beyond this season.

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