Goaltender Viktor Fasth has made a decision on where he’ll be taking his talents to for the 2015-16 season and he’s headed to CSKA Moscow and the KHL. CSKA is managed by Hockey Hall of Famer Sergei Federov and features the KHL’s leading scorer Alexander Radulov leading the attack. Now they will have the former Anaheim Duck, and Edmonton Oiler goalie between the pipes.
#CSKA of the #KHL agreed to terms with Viktor Fasth #Oilers #NHL
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) July 9, 2015
In our Top 10 NHL UFA Goaltenders 2015 article, written by Senior Editor Ken Hill, here’s what you need to know about Fasth:
Similar to Neuvirth’s situation in Washington, Fasth appeared to have the inside track on the future of the Ducks crease as recently as the 2012-13 season, when he split duties with incumbent Hiller and actually boasted far superior numbers, including an 8-0-0 run to start his NHL career as a 30-year-old “rookie.”
However that all unraveled with an injury and the arrival of Frederick Andersen, who stole Fasth’s spot in the rotation, which lead to the latter being moved at the 2014 trade deadline to the Edmonton Oilers.
As is a common theme among many of the goalies available in free agency this year, Fasth didn’t exactly excel with a very poor team in front of him in Edmonton. While the Swede had a good run with the Oilers to close out 2013-14 (3-3-1, .914 SV%, 2.73 GAA), everything fell apart last season, as Edmonton finished dead last in goals against, and Fasth’s numbers suffered mightily as a result.
At 32 years old, Fasth still may have something to give in a backup role at the NHL level, though don’t expect a long line of suitors or an eye-popping contract.
Main Photo Caption/Credit: VANCOUVER, BC – OCTOBER 11: Viktor Fasth #35 of the Edmonton Oilers makes a save during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena October 11, 2014 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 5-4 in a shootout. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
