Today, the Columbus Blue Jackets acquired Ivan Fedotov from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a 2026 sixth round pick.

Not only is this solid depth at the goalie position for the Blue Jackets, it also creates a bit of a goalie battle as we head into the 2025-26 training camp.

Columbus now has Elvis Merzlikins, Jet Greaves, and the newly added Fedotov, all of whom are NHL-level goalies. It’s very unlikely the organization chooses to carry three, which really leaves them with two options.

The first option would be to find a trade partner for Merzlikins, although that feels unlikely. The other would be to send Fedotov down to their AHL affiliate in Cleveland and use him as a reliable third option.

My colleague Jason Newland thinks this is the most obvious solution. He tweeted out:

“My prediction is that he’ll be in Cleveland. DW has said he wants some experience down there and an NHL-caliber backup for Elvis and Jet. And with him making hardly anything this year, it makes it easier to assign him to the Monsters.”

As Newland mentioned, Fedotov isn’t making much in actual salary. Yes, his cap hit is $3.25 million, but he’s only owed $775,000 this season. That makes it very easy for Columbus to send him to the AHL and use him as a safety net if needed.

Fedotov, 28, is a 6-foot-7 goalie who was born in Finland but grew up in Russia. Last season with the Flyers, he played in 26 games, finishing with a 6-13-4 record, a 3.15 goals-against average, and an .880 save percentage.

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