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Despite contract with Flyers, Fedotov may be signing long-term deal at home

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TJ Tucker
September 7, 2022  (2:55 PM)
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The saga of Ivan Fedotov continues. The 25-year-old goalie signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers back in May of this year. It would have been his first time playing pro hockey in North America. This summer, Fedotov was sent a military base in the far north of Russia after being accused of attempting to buy fake documents in order to avoid mandatory military service in his home country of Russia. Fedotov remains at that base, with a hearing on September 20th where he will ask that his service be deferred or cancelled completely. Now comes word that he's signed a new deal with CSKA Moscow of the KHL, despite the fact that there's been nothing official saying his contract with Philadelphia has been cancelled.

"Per several Russian journalists, Ivan Fedotov signed a three year contract with CSKA Moscow. Could be followed by a trade to another KHL club."- Karl Mansson, HockeyNews.se

This throws a whole new element into the story, that has been fairly convoluted from the beginning. According to Mansson's sources, this would put a new strain on the relationship between the NHL and KHL, which has been rocky from the very start.

"As we wait, a RU journalist had this to say on his NHL-contract:

'KHL will be like a monkey with a grenade if they spit on Fedotov's obligations in America. Taking the first step towards disrespecting contracts, you can destroy even those shaky relationships that still remain.'" - Karl Mansson, Hockeynews.se

Mansson stated that both CSKA and the KHL are denying these reports. However, that has little meaning given where the statements are coming from.

"CSKA President Esmantovich had the following to say. As it's Russia, any side lying is likely:

'Leaders of the club did not meet with Ivan Fedotov, he serves in the ranks of the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Accordingly, there was no discussion, there is no contract.'" - Karl Mansson, Hockeynews.se

It will be interesting to see how this ends. The Flyers have had little to say on this entire situation. It's obviously a politically charged one, especially given what's happening in and with Russia at the moment. Fedotov had released a statement from the base earlier this summer saying he was doing well and thanking everyone for their support.