Jan 14, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ivan Fedotov (82) makes a save against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia Flyers were going to have a crowded goalie room when training camp kicked off in earnest this week.
Now, it's a little more spacious.
According to team and league sources, On Pattison has learned that the Flyers are trading goalie Ivan Fedotov to one of their division rivals, the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In return the Flyers will receive a 2026 6th round draft pick. The Flyers will not have to retain any of the $3.275 million remaining on Fedotov's salary for this season.
Fedotov, 28, never really adapted as fast as the Flyers would have liked to playing in North America, though he showed flashes of what the Flyers liked about him from time to time.
In 29 career games with the Flyers over parts of two seasons, Fedotov had a 3.29 goals against average and an .874 save percentage, which are subpar numbers.
But he was sensational in a shootout loss in Columbus in Jan. 14 when he made 26 saves, played his best game as a Flyer against Winnipeg on March 1, earning a shootout win with 29 saves, and did all he could in a game in Tampa on March 17, stopping 21 of the 22 shots he faced, but the Flyers didn't score a goal.
What a stop by Ivan Fedotov, you love to see it pic.twitter.com/hoiq4RIYuE
The Blue Jackets were looking for goaltending and the Flyers had a surplus, so this was a good match.
It also means that, for now, it looks pretty cut and dry what the Flyers goaltending situation will be once the season begins next month. Sam Ersson and Dan Vladar will be on the NHL roster while Aleksei Kolosov and Carson Bjarnason will be on the AHL roster.
Of course, the initial reaction is going to be that the Flyers are clearing space to make a run at Carter Hart, who will be reinstated by the NHL to sign with a team as of Oct. 15 and can play in a game as of Dec. 1.
While the Flyers will have interest, there will be several other teams that will be as well and other teams might offer a more attractive contract and situation than the Flyers do. There could be more ideal situations for Hart - Utah, for example, is a rising team in need of goaltending and in a new and smaller market that might be an attractive and quiet spot for Hart to land without much pressure or scrutiny.
Carolina is another interesting possibility. Edmonton has been a goalie away from a Stanley Cup each of the past two years, but playing every day in Canada - even in his own home town - could be a harsher spotlight.
A lot can happen in the next month before Hart is allowed to sign, so teams can jockey and change their offers between now and then and change the expectation. The Flyers could decide to ramp up their efforts even more, or they can decide there's a limit to where they are willing to go to bring him back.
