Philadelphia Flyers fans got a fresh look at their future, with top goalie prospect Yegor Zavragin ranking as the 10th-best netminder in the entire NHL, according to The Athletic's Scott Wheeler. While the ranking is good news, it's Zavragin's current KHL contract that's got everyone paying attention, with a potential North American move only one season away.
The Athletic Drops the Goalie Bombshell
Wheeler, who first dropped his top 100 skater prospects list where Porter Martone landed near the top, then unveiled his top 20 goalies this week. He's defining a 'prospect' as someone under 25 who hasn't fully established themselves in the NHL. Jacob Fowler, the Montreal Canadiens star who was excellent late in the season and into the playoffs, secured a tier all his own at the top. The rest of the pack fell into Tier 2, covering No. 2-9, and Tier 3, which included No. 10-16. Zavragin landed at the very top of Tier 3, grabbing that No. 10 spot. It's an improvement over last year's ranking, which should ease some Flyers fans worried about the "franchise-changing" label. Wheeler painted a pretty clear picture of the 6-foot-2, 183-pound netminder who turns 21 at the end of August. Zavragin is a talented goalie who’s seen a steep development curve at an early age. He rose to KHL prominence as a teenager, dominating at lower levels and emerging as one of Russia's best young goalies. He’s already got a .918 save percentage across 55 KHL games playing for Sochi and SKA. This kid’s athleticism is off the charts, with an impressive ability to go post-to-post and low-to-high. His reflexes and hands are sharp even when he’s moving. Unlike a lot of young goalies who can get pulled out of position, Zavragin has great control and battles hard when things get scrambly. He's a beast one-on-one and excels on breakaways and penalty shots. Sounds like a future stud, doesn’t he?The Contract Clock Is Ticking
Here's the kicker, and what really makes this ranking more than just a number: Zavragin's current KHL contract runs out at the end of the 2026-27 season. That means a move to North America could be on the horizon in just one more year! There were whispers this spring about him signing an entry-level contract with the Flyers this offseason, but that didn't materialize. Wheeler confirms he's got that single year left on his KHL deal before he’s eligible to come over. So, while some might glance at 'No. 10' and shrug for a supposed franchise cornerstone, the real story is that this 20-year-old phenom could be gracing NHL ice very soon. Flyers fans, get ready to keep a close eye on Zavragin's KHL season. Every save, every highlight, every game brings him one step closer to Philly and potentially changing the game for the Flyers. The countdown to 2027 is officially on!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.