The last remaining task on Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell's summer to-do list, was adding another experienced goaltender to the mix. He did that on Sunday by acquiring Ivan Fedotov from the Philadelphia Flyers for a 6th round pick.
The 6'7" Russian now heads to Columbus with one big aspiration: proving himself as an NHL goaltender. For a team that has struggled with consistency in goal for several seasons, he will have every opportunity to do so.
Originally a 7th round pick (#188 overall) of the Flyers at the 2015 NHL Draft, Fedotov took his time developing overseas. He did not debut in North America until the end of the 2023-24 season.
By that time, he was already 27 years old, and far from a young prospect. The Flyers hoped he would step right in and be a difference maker in goal. Unfortunately, it never panned out for him in Philadelphia.
Through parts of two NHL seasons, Fedotov got into just 29 games (25 starts), posting a record of 6-14-0, with a .874% save percentage and 3.29 goals against average.
These numbers are vastly below expectations for a guy who put up pretty good stats overseas. Across 8 KHL seasons, he established himself as one of the best goaltenders in Russia, posting a .921% save percentage and 2.22GAA in 133 games played.
Ivan really burst onto the scene at the 2022 Olympic Games, where he helped lead Russia to a silver medal with a .943% save percentage and 2 shutouts in his 6 starts. Clearly, there is some untapped potential here.
The Blue Jackets take a chance on a guy who could be a viable reclamation project. It's a very low risk move for a 28 year old who is in the final year of his contract. He comes with a $3.275 million dollar cap hit, but just $775k in salary owed after the Flyers paid out his bonus for this season.
The likely plan here is for Fedotov to act as the starting goaltender for the Cleveland Monsters. They'll have to pass him through waivers to use him in that role, however. There is a chance he may not clear.
There is also an outside chance that he could stick on the NHL roster to start the season. While carrying three goaltenders isn't ideal, the Jackets could opt to go that route and let things sort themselves out between him, Jet Greaves, and Elvis Merzlikins.
Bringing in a third guy makes sense, considering what the team has in line after Greaves and Merzlikins. It's a pretty thin system at the professional level, though Waddell and the scouting staff have done a terrific job adding prospect depth.
In a few years' time, this should be a position of real strength for the Blue Jackets. But, for the time being, adding guy like Fedotov was a big need. Best case scenario, he competes hard and the team's goaltending improves this season. Worst case scenario, they are out a sixth round pick.
One bold prediction: Ivan Fedotov gets claimed off of waivers and does not play a single regular season game in Columbus or Cleveland.
Fedotov could go wildly in any number of directions. He could be sent to Cleveland. He could return to Russia (though, he would have to give up the last year of his NHL contract). He could also make the Blue Jackets roster.
The most obvious answer, if you've been here for very long: he'll be placed on waivers to send down, only to get claimed by another team. This would be the luck of the Blue Jackets. I'm interested to see how he looks in camp, and what happens in goal this season. After all, the last goaltender the Flyers dumped on the Jackets turned out pretty good.