Overview
- The Blue Jackets announced Wednesday that they signed 22-year-old Russian goaltender Sergei Ivanov to a two-year entry-level contract that runs through the 2027–28 season.
- Ivanov posted a .928 save percentage in 29 games for SKA St. Petersburg in 2025–26 and owns a .923 save percentage across 108 KHL games, numbers Columbus cited when justifying the signing.
- The club and coverage say Ivanov is expected to remain on loan in the KHL for the 2026–27 season, leaving the timing of his move to North America uncertain.
- Columbus now lists five goalies under contract for 2026–27, which complicates short-term roster planning with restricted free agent Jet Greaves due a new deal.
- Drafted in the fifth round in 2022, Ivanov follows a common path for Russian prospects where NHL teams sign to retain rights while the player gains experience in the KHL and often begins in the AHL if he later comes over.