Fedotov is expected to be the backup after Felix Sandström was sent on loan to Lehigh Valley. The Flyers told Sam Ersson"you’ve earned the rights to be the No. 1, we believe in you, we trust in you."
Ivan Fedotov is excited to finally join the Flyers: ‘I’m here for what hopefully will be a long time’ Fedotov was officially added to the roster on Friday afternoon as Felix Sandström, who was on an emergency recall, was loaned to Lehigh Valley. The St. Petersburg, Russia, native is expected to serve as the backup for Sam Ersson, who has been a mainstay in net for the Flyers all season. Even beforeSandström struggled in his three starts this season going 1-2-0 and across the five games appearances, posting 3.87 goals-against average and an .823 save percentage.
“He’s got to put the noise away,” NHL Network analyst and ex-NHL goalie Devan Dubnyk told The Inquirer. “That’s is easy for us to say, for sure. There’s most certainly going to be some disappointment there for him. You’re not a human being if there’s not because he was put in this situation, kind of out of nowhere as a young goalie, and has done a great job of putting Philadelphia in a playoff spot right now. So, you just have to try to not let it bother you.
Ersson is still just a rookie at just 24 years old, and the heavy workload may have taken a toll as the season has worn on. How many games he gets down the stretch is anyone’s guess, but it’s his net. And it will take Fedotov some time to get acclimated to the NHL’s style of play — the KHL is more of a perimeter game — and the NHL’s rink size. Brière does think his size could be an advantage to getting used to more of a net-front game.