Flyers Goalie Ivan Fedotov Inspired by Old Legends to Conquer New Challenges

Just a few weeks ago, Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ivan Fedotov seemed like a lost cause. Despite all the promise he carried from the KHL, Fedotov was 0-4-1 in his first six NHL games and had a 5.18 GAA and .817 save percentage.

Lately, Fedotov has looked like a brand-new player for the Flyers, though the team will continue to exercise caution with him due to the limited ice time.

“Still a small sample size,” Flyers head coach John Tortorella said after Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. “He’s played really well, three games. He’s going to have to continue. This is five or six games for him, and I think he certainly feels more comfortable.”

Fedotov has cruised to a flawless 3-0-0 in his last three starts, giving the Flyers a more than comfortable 2.22 GAA and .918 save percentage in those games. The 27-year-old’s drastic increase in his level of play has had a tangible effect on the play of his teammates. The Flyers coaches are seeing it.

“When you have a goalie that looks like he’s looked the last few games, you do get confidence,” said associate coach Brad Shaw. “You do know that you can make the odd mistake and it’s not necessarily in the back of your net, so that does change your way, how you play, confidence-wise.”

One game that stood out to Shaw in particular was Fedotov’s effort against the Ottawa Senators, a gutsy 33-save performance in a game where the Flyers were thoroughly outplayed from start to finish. Fedotov never stopped doing his thing, even though the defensive zone was caving in around him.

Ironically, that game was Fedotov’s worst, statistically, of the three wins he’s ripped off. The 6-foot-7 Russian allowed four goals on 37 shots (.892 SV%) in a dramatic 5-4 overtime win.

Shaw noted that if it wasn’t for his goalie, the Flyers would not have even made it to overtime.

Brady Tkachuk springs Josh Norris for a great chance in on Fedotov at the end of regulation.

Norris is stopped.#Sens #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/eJjJfj7l0z

— Pesky Sickos (@PeskySickos) November 15, 2024

“The save he makes in regulation in the end in Ottawa there, that toe save, it’s extraordinary,” Shaw recalled. “I love the save in overtime as well, but the save in overtime, at least you’re getting a point. That (regulation save) was 17 seconds left, that would have been a dagger. Would have been a real tough way to leave that building.

“I like how he stepped up. He’s taken a challenge and met it head-on.”

Fedotov inspired by NHL legends, old Flyers rivals

Anyone who has paid close attention to Ivan Fedotov during games has noticed his tendency to flop around, dive with desperation, and play with flair. Two-pad stacks, windmill saves, and going spread eagle with your stomach to the ice are things of the past. Not for Fedotov.

“When I was young, I watched highlights,” Fedotov recalled. “One of my two favorite goalies is Evgeni Nabokov, from San Jose Sharks, and Martin Brodeur. Yeah, it’s two goalies from the old school. I had a couple of t-shirts with the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks with Brodeur and Nabokov.”

Former NHL Star: Flyers Threw Ivan Fedotov Into ‘Hell’

Flyers fans might cringe at the sound (or sight, in this case) of Martin Brodeur’s name, but it’s easy to put two and two together and see where Fedotov gets some of his on-ice personality from. A true showman with a passion for the dramatic.

But does Fedotov actively try to emulate Brodeur and Evgeni Nabokov, or is that just how he personally likes to play?

“Sometimes,” Fedotov said with a smile. “They played, like, awesome. The style and everything, how they’re moving, and made some notes. Not a lot, but sometimes. Sometimes when you make a glove save, you do wall or something like that.

“Now, hockey is changed and you have to adapt for everything. Speed, players, more skill. They have everything. The hockey, every 10 years changing. You definitely should adapt for new things.”

That adaptation has been key for Fedotov, who appears to have finally turned a corner after a slower start to his Flyers career.

“He didn’t even look the part his first starts,” Tortorella said of Fedotov. “He looks the part now, so he’s got to stay within himself and keep on playing.”