Three's A Crowd: The Unsustainability Of The Flyers Three Goalie Conundrum

The Philadelphia Flyers' season has been one of growing pains and some steep learning curves, but one storyline has emerged as one of the more glaring issues within the Flyers' roster: their ongoing insistence on carrying three goaltenders without finding meaningful game time for Ivan Fedotov.

Since the Flyers' Dec. 5 game against the Florida Panthers, Fedotov has been stapled to the press box, leaving many to question the logic of this arrangement. While the move to roster three goalies might seem like a precautionary measure or a means to evaluate their talent pool, the practical reality is that this approach is unsustainable and detrimental to everyone involved.

The Numbers Don't Add Up

Carrying three goalies in the NHL is not without precedent, but it is almost universally acknowledged as a short-term solution at best. In practice, it disrupts the rhythm, development, and confidence of all three netminders. In the Flyers' case, Fedotov has been the odd man out, having yet to dress for a game since early December. This inactivity isn't just puzzling; it's counterproductive.

Goaltending is a rhythm-dependent position that requires consistent reps in practice and game situations to maintain sharpness. With three goalies on the roster, each is receiving only about a third of the practice reps they would get in a standard two-goalie system. This isn't just a mathematical issue; it's a developmental and performance problem.

For Sam Ersson and Aleksei Kolosov, this limited practice time contributes to the inconsistencies we've seen in their recent play. Neither has been outright poor—there have been moments of excellence from both—but even they have openly admitted that they need to elevate their performances. Without sufficient practice time to hone their craft and correct their mistakes, it's difficult to see how they can achieve that improvement.

The impact on Fedotov is even more concerning. At 28 years old and still getting used to the NHL, he needs more regular playing time to regain his confidence and reacclimate to the pace of NHL hockey. Instead, he's been relegated to a bystander role, which is not only a waste of his abilities, but puts more pressure and a more exhausting workload on Ersson and Kolosov.

The Human Element: Confidence and Development

The decision to roster three goalies without giving Fedotov game time also raises questions about the organization's management of its players' confidence and development.

Goaltending is an inherently high-pressure position, and confidence is often the thin line between success and failure. By keeping Fedotov on the sidelines, the Flyers risk eroding his self-belief and creating frustration.

Furthermore, the limited practice reps mean that Ersson, Fedotov, and Kolosov are missing out on the full benefit of dedicated goaltending sessions. Practice isn't just about maintaining conditioning—it's where goaltenders fine-tune their technique, work on positioning, and develop chemistry with their defensemen. With three goalies splitting time, none of them can get the focused attention they need.

For Fedotov, this lack of engagement could have serious consequences. After an outstanding 2021-22 season in the KHL, where he posted a .919 save percentage and led CSKA Moscow to a Gagarin Cup victory, Fedotov was seen as a bright spot in the Flyers' rather limited pool of goalie talent. Now, his progress is being stunted by inactivity, and his confidence could be wavering as a result.

The situation isn't much better for Ersson and Kolosov. Both are promising young goaltenders who need regular reps to grow into reliable NHL starters. By forcing them to share the net, the Flyers are inadvertently hampering their ability to build momentum and find consistency.

Strategic Mismanagement

From a roster management perspective, the decision to carry three goalies is pretty baffling. The Flyers have consistently emphasized the importance of developing young talent and building for the future, but their handling of the goaltending situation doesn't seem to fully align with that philosophy.

The obvious solution is to reduce the roster to two goalies, a move that would allow both netminders to receive the practice time and game reps they need. Whether this means sending Kolosov to the AHL to get consistent minutes, or even waiving Fedotov for reassignment, action needs to be taken. 

Waiving Fedotov could be a risky move, as it's possible he would attract interest from other teams. However, if the Flyers truly see Ersson and Kolosov as their future tandem (which sounds like the case currently, as head coach John Tortorella explicitly stated that Ersson has always been the undisputed No. 1, but Kolosov had leapfrogged Fedotov for the backup spot).

The Bigger Picture

At its core, the Flyers' three-goalie conundrum reflects a lack of clarity and decisiveness in their roster management strategy. Hockey teams thrive on structure and rhythm, and the current arrangement is disrupting both.

It's important to note that the Flyers' goaltending issues are not a reflection of a lack of talent. Ersson, Fedotov, and Kolosov each possess the skills to be effective NHL goalies. However, talent alone isn't enough; players need the right environment to succeed.

 

As the Flyers prepare for the second half of the season, it's time for the organization to take a hard look at their goaltending situation and make the necessary adjustments. Reducing the roster to two goalies isn't just about logistics—it's about creating a system that allows their netminders to thrive.

The initial decision to carry three goalies might have been born out of caution or a desire to evaluate their options. But the longer this arrangement persists, the more it risks doing harm to the very players it was meant to protect. It's much more beneficial to everyone involved for the organization to act decisively and give their goalies support and structure they need to reach their full potential.