Flyers sign Fedotov to $6.5 million deal

This just in, the Philadelphia Flyers have reportedly signed Russian goaltender Ivan Fedotov to a two year contract extension worth $6.5 million. While the team has not yet confirmed the news, TSN insider Darren Dreger is reporting on the two year agreement.

From Dreger:

The 27 year old Fedotov played just three games for the Flyers this season after coming over from his native Russia where he starred with CSKA Moscow of the KHL the past two seasons.

The Flyers under new GM Daniel Briere stuck their necks out a bit to get Fedotov out of Russia and the KHL. After winning the Gagarin Cup with CSKA and receiving a nomination for the KHL's Goalie of the Year award in 2022, Fedotov signed a one year contract with the Flyers. He was then arrested by Russian officials for alleged military evasion and had his contract torn up by the KHL. In effect, he was being held hostage in his home country and wasn't allowed to leave. The Flyers appealed to the IIHF in 2022, but the matter wasn't resolved until this Spring when Fedotov finally arrived in Philadelphia.

Fedotov made his NHL debut at 27 years old earlier this month, playing three games for the Flyers down the stretch and putting up a 4.95 goals against average and a .811 save percentage. Those aren't exactly numbers that would lead you to believe that Fedotov is worth $3.25 million per season, but there's reason to believe that he can find his form next season. And if not, there's not a ton of risk on the Flyers' part with this contract. If Fedotov turns out to be a bust, the Flyers can bury his contract in the minors alongside Cal Petersen for the next two years. The thing is, there are too many scouts and analysts out there who think this guy is going to be a legitimate starting goalie for the Flyers.

Look for Fedotov to battle things out with Samuel Ersson for the Flyers' top spot next season.

More to come on this developing story.