Ruslan Fedotenko Signs With Iowa Wild, Olivier Archambault Reassigned

The Iowa Wild have signed for Philadelphia Flyer forward Ruslan Fedotenko to a professional tryout (PTO).

Fedotenko just turned 36 on Sunday and last played in the NHL in 2012-13 with the Philadelphia Flyers, his 12th NHL season. Last season he returned to Donbass Donetsk of the KHL, where he played during the lockout, and scored seven goals and 10 assists in 46 games. He was the captain of the team both season he played for them.

Fedotenko actually played in Iowa as a young man when he spent a season playing for the Sioux City Muskateers of the USHL.

Fedotenko is well past his playing prime, but he will provide some veteran leadership on the Baby Wild. However, Iowa is a ways from making the playoffs, so the acquisition of Fedotenko does seem a little odd. At 36 there’s little chance that the team is signing him to a multi-year deal and bringing him on board past the mid-point of the season on a non-playoff team will eat up time from young players and take up a roster spot that a promising young player like an Olivier Archambault or Raphael Bussieres could be taking up.

Part of the explanation may just boil down to it being a PTO, which means that Fedotenko may not stick with the team for the rest of the season. But if he does the team must believe that his leadership and experience offers something to the prospects and the organization.

He should join the team soon and it’ll be interesting to see how coach John Torchetti use Fedotenko in the team.

Olivier Archambault

Iowa also announced that they’re returning Olivier Archambault to the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. Archambault was also confirmed to the starting lineup of the ECHL All-Star Game.

Archambault got called up to the AHL for two games and didn’t have any points. His rookie season with the Aces has been fantastic. He has 18 goals and 15 assists in 32 games.