Could Yegor Zavgarin Be the Answer to the Flyers Goaltending Questions?

The Philadelphia Flyers may have found a key piece of their heavily debated goaltending future with goaltender Yegor Zavragin. The 19-year-old netminder from Russia has gained attention as one of the top junior-aged goalies in Europe, thanks to a breakout season split between the KHL and MHL. 

Elite Prospects' Steven Ellis ranked Zavgarin at number 19 in the top 25 NHL-affiliated goalie prospects of the 2025-26 season. Ellis said "Zavgarin wss  one of the better junior-aged goalies in Europe last year, posting solid numbers in the KHL with HK Sochi and SKA St. Petersburg." 

Zavragin played in 37 games for the KHL St. Petersburg where he held a .912 save percentage and 2.55 goals against average. Goaltending prospect Carson Bjarnson of the Western Hockey League Brnadon Wheat Kings posted similar numbers with a .913 save percentge, and 2.93 goals against average over 40 games played.

Zavragin held strong numbers against his opponents throughout his time with the SKA St. Petersburg. Throughout the 2023-24 playoffs, he returned to the MHL Mamonty Yugry, where he delivered consistently good performances that highlighted his composure, technical skill, and ability to rise to the occasion under pressure. During that playoff period Zavragin played in nine games, holding a .945 save percentage with just 1.60 goals against average.

At 6-foot-2, Zavragin has the ideal frame for a modern NHL goaltender. His strong athleticism gives him the ability to easily move across the crease, while his quick glove hand is already seen as a strength in his game. Many Flyers fans, already dealing with years of inconsistency in the crease, are understandably excited about the young goaltender's potential.

Zavragin is still under contract with SKA St. Petersburg until 2027, giving him plenty of time to refine his game before moviing into the North American game. Some scouts have highlighted his need to control his post-to-post movement, but the foundation is there for him to develop into a reliable starter at the NHL level.

For a Flyers team still in the midst of a rebuild, Zavragin could be a light at the end of the tunnel for long-term stability at arguably the most important position on the ice. If his upward trajectory continues, the Flyers could finally be closing in on the franchise goaltender they’ve long been searching for.