A small sample size is a small sample size. But when it’s all you have to go by that’s what you do. The Philadelphia Flyers went into this season with the idea that Sam Ersson would be the top dog and Ivan Fedotov would be in the backup role. However a few interesting points might mean that while having only six games of NHL experience and 278 minutes of playing time in his career, Ivan Fedotov might be seeing a hint of the writing on the wall. And that writing isn’t looking ideal for him.
Without going back too far, Fedotov appeared to be the guy who, despite going through a boatload (warship load?) of challenges in getting to Philadelphia, was going to be the number two starter. He dazzled in his debut in relief against the Islanders and was praised by coach John Tortorella. The remaining two starts weren’t great, but he had the entire offseason to get mentally prepared for 2024-25. So far in, it’s not been good. Not by a long shot. In fact a long shot could probably find its way past Fedotov at this point. He has an abysmal .821 save percentage and a goals-against average of 5.35. He’s played 36 more minutes over last year and his save percentage has improved this year (yes, it was .811 last year). His goal-against has ballooned even more (was a dismal 4.95 last year).
The biggest challenge though for Fedotov might not be adjusting to North America and all that comes with it. It might be adjusting to a style of play that he inherently hasn’t had a lot of either experience or success with, namely the Flyers blocking shots and having traffic in front of him. In speaking with Kevin Kurz of The Athletic, Fedotov said he appreciated the Flyers attempting to block shots. But those attempts were also posing a challenge to him.
It might be part of the reason why he’s not looking confident or set in his net compared to Ersson and Kolosov’s smaller sample size. Ideally for Fedotov the Flyers blueliners clear the crease and the front of the net so Fedotov can stop it, then handle the rebound to clear if Fedotov doesn’t smother the rebound himself.
This whole concept however is the antithesis of everything that Tortorella has brow-beaten into this Flyers roster two years and 11 games in. If you don’t block shots, or attempt to block shots, you’re not going to get ice time with Torts. He did that during his time with the Rangers and with a Hall of Fame goalie Henrik Lundqvist at his disposal. He’s not about to change this far into his coaching career. The Flyers are going to block shots as long as he’s here. Ivan Fedotov is not going to change his mind, no matter how tall the goalie hovers over the coach.
Only only has to look back a few days to see the proof is in the pudding. The Flyers essentially played two road games this week, it just so happened one of them was at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers beat Boston 2-0 in a game that was based around ensuring the defense was tighter. That included blocked shots as the Flyers blocked 21 of them Tuesday night. On Thursday night at home, the Flyers played almost the same style of hockey, trying to shut things down and block shots. They blocked 21 shots on Thursday night. That’s roughly four periods worth of shots eliminated over two games thanks to the skaters willing to put a win ahead of injury and pain. Ersson was still busy both nights and held the Flyers in. It’s not a great way to win throughout a season and would be a war of attrition as some Flyers would likely end up on IR or LTIR blocking that amount consistently. But the Flyers aren’t going to change this style anytime soon. Especially if it’s winning them games.
Which brings us back to Fedotov. If he can’t adapt to the fact the Flyers are going to throw themselves in front of pucks so they get deflected away from Fedotov, end up in the mesh over the glass or out of the zone, then he needs to do one of two things. The first (and possibly the sanest) idea would be to go down to Lehigh Valley for a conditioning stint. Action with the Phantoms and practice time could see him maybe turn a corner and begin to adjust to the fact that traffic will be in front of him and he needs to accept it. And work a lot more on his positioning and structure so he’s not craning his neck to see where the puck is. It would be one thing if Fedotov said that while having a save percentage well north of .900 and looked remarkable every game. He’s not even in the ballpark’s parking lot for that conversation to take place.
The second idea, which might end up being a distinct possibility, is acknowledging Fedotov is not a great goalie and make the best of the next two seasons before parting company whether he’s with the big club or riding the bus in Lehigh Valley. It’s almost cruel to say that six games into anyone’s career, but he’s not made a great first impression (again outside of his relief appearance versus the Islanders last season). He’s getting paid either way, although his agent might have some say in how this whole three-goalie concept pans out. It’s not impossible for him to find his game and progress with Philadelphia, but thinking the Flyers are simply going to alter their style of play so he can see pucks clearly is a pipe dream. The fact the Flyers have another alternative or alternatives in Aleksei Kolosov or Eetu Makiniemi in the offing doesn’t exactly put Fedotov on solid ground. The 18 skaters are going to keep blocking shots to help their goalie. They’re just hoping Fedotov starts to do the same for them a bit more than he currently is.
