MAJOR | Recent developments in Russia could deter NHL teams ahead of the draft

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Cooper Godin
May 2, 2023 (9:12)

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Last May, the Philadelphia Flyers signed goal prospect Ivan Fedotov to an entry-level contract with the expectation he would make the jump to North America and join the organization for the 2022-23 season.

Then just a couple months later, Fedotov's situation became quite severe as he was picked up by law enforcement in Russia and sent to a military base, just as he was preparing to leave for North America. The Russians say that he was trying to evade mandatory military service.

On Monday, it was revealed by CSKA Moscow's general manager that the team expects Fedotov to return from the army for the 2023-24 season and remain with them for the rest of his career.

This news is definitely concerning when it comes to younger KHL players that may have already been drafted or who are draft eligible and want to make the jump to North America in the coming months and years. We already know that the KHL makes it harder for those players to come play in the NHL due to restrictions in their contracts and the length of their contracts too, but this is certainly something to keep an eye on at the draft in late-June.

Yesterday marked the opening of the KHL free agency period and while their clubs would have liked to retain them, a few Russian prospects signed their entry-level contracts, including Washington Capitals 2022 first-round pick Ivan Miroshnichenko. We really hope that Fedotov's situation doesn't repeat and happen with any of these young players trying to make the jump overseas to play in the NHL.