In an exciting development for the Philadelphia Flyers, Russian goalie Ivan Fedotov is expected to make his way to North America and join the team before the end of the season, according to a league source confirmed by The Athletic. Fedotov, who was drafted by the Flyers in the seventh round back in 2015, signed a one-year entry-level deal with the club on May 7, 2022. However, his NHL contract won't officially commence until he joins the team.

Fedotov's journey to the Flyers has encountered several obstacles. Initially prepared to come to Philadelphia, he was unexpectedly arrested and forced into military service in Russia. Reports indicate that he was stationed in Severomorsk, near the country's border with Finland. Given the visa issues, challenges in getting a player out of Russia, and the complex history associated with this case, the Flyers are unlikely to make a formal announcement on Thursday, but clarification with the league is expected in the coming days.

The NHL has confirmed that there are no issues or roadblocks preventing Fedotov from immediately joining and playing for the Flyers. The 27-year-old goalie spent this season with CSKA Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), defying the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) ruling that his NHL contract with the Flyers is valid. In 44 regular-season games, Fedotov recorded a 21-22-1 record with a 2.37 goals-against average and .914 save percentage. However, his team was recently eliminated from the playoffs, leading to the termination of his two-year contract, which had one year remaining.

Fedotov is eager to commence his NHL career, following his success in the KHL. In the 2021-22 season, he led CSKA Moscow to the Gagarin Cup championship and played a crucial role in Russia's silver medal finish at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Fedotov took a hiatus from hockey to fulfill his military duties, highlighting his commitment to his homeland.

The Philadelphia Flyers could potentially benefit from Fedotov's immediate presence in the team. With their backup goaltenders struggling since Samuel Ersson took over as the number one goalie and Carter Hart's departure in late January, the 27-year-old's skills could provide a much-needed boost. The recent performances of Cal Petersen and Felix Sandstrom have been subpar, prompting the team to make adjustments.

Flyers coach John Tortorella has acknowledged the challenges faced in the goaltending department and expressed remorse for his previous reactions. Following Sandstrom's underwhelming performance in a 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on March 24, Tortorella apologized for his body language and reaffirmed the goalie's efforts, stating that "Sandy's trying."

As fans eagerly await further details on Fedotov's arrival and his potential impact on the team, the long-awaited addition of the Russian goalie marks an exciting chapter for both him and the Philadelphia Flyers.