Should Sergei Fedorov's number be retired in the future?

[JayUp88 1]

Even if it is not retired... I would like to see some young scrub actually try to wear the #91 in Detroit... That will never happen... #91 is as good as retired unless we get feds at the Trade Deadline

Agreed with that. you wont see anyone skating around in a number 91 but i really dought it will go up to the roof. Lids will be next and then it will be a while before anything with a jersey number is going up to the roof. If he didn't leave on his own terms i would have said put it up but not after leaving.

[Grind_Lines_#1_Fan 0]

The question is Should it be retired? I say yes....But what should be asked her is will it be retired? Here I say no, because of the rare honor it takes to have a retired number around here! In any other city it would be, but not in Motown...Sorry Sergei, as if he even cares

[RedWings Gone Wild 6]

Sure, probably 91 won't be worn for a while, along with 16 and 6. However, much like 16 and 6, his number won't be up in the rafters. Only Lids will see his number up there. that's it. I'd say Draper is the next most likely out of anyone, and I seriously doubt he'd get it. In fact, I'd almost guarantee he wont, I just see him as the most likely.

Also, all you guys claiming Osgood should be up there with Sawchuk, things need to be taken into context. Sawchuk forever changed the way goaltending was played. He won 4 cups, 3 Vezinas, and a calder trophy. When he retired he had practically every goaltending record (still has the shutouts record). Osgood? As good as he is, and yea he could potentially surpass Sawchuk's team and career stats, Osgood just wasn't enough of a difference maker on our team, ever. He only won 1 cup as a starter and he has never been an elite goalie, just a good one.

Don't get me wrong, I respect Osgood for coming back for a reduced role and reduced salary. If we had a team full of guys with Osgood's dedication we'd win the cup every year, no question. However, lets be a little more realistic with our retired number discussion. If there is ANY room for debate on a player, any whatsoever, then that person simply should not have their number retired.

Yzerman, Howe, Sawchuk, Lindsay, Delvecchio, and Able. That's 6 (7 if including Larry Aurie's unretired #). See if you all can process this, 6 freaking guys in over 80 years of this team's history, and you all want to open the flood gates? Osgood? Federov? Shannahan? I'm surprised nobody is trying to get Zetterberg's number retired preemtively. Come on. You guys are making me tug my hair out.

[eva unit zero 271]

Sure, probably 91 won't be worn for a while, along with 16 and 6. However, much like 16 and 6, his number won't be up in the rafters. Only Lids will see his number up there. that's it. I'd say Draper is the next most likely out of anyone, and I seriously doubt he'd get it. In fact, I'd almost guarantee he wont, I just see him as the most likely.

Also, all you guys claiming Osgood should be up there with Sawchuk, things need to be taken into context. Sawchuk forever changed the way goaltending was played. He won 4 cups, 3 Vezinas, and a calder trophy. When he retired he had practically every goaltending record (still has the shutouts record). Osgood? As good as he is, and yea he could potentially surpass Sawchuk's team and career stats, Osgood just wasn't enough of a difference maker on our team, ever. He only won 1 cup as a starter and he has never been an elite goalie, just a good one.

Don't get me wrong, I respect Osgood for coming back for a reduced role and reduced salary. If we had a team full of guys with Osgood's dedication we'd win the cup every year, no question. However, lets be a little more realistic with our retired number discussion. If there is ANY room for debate on a player, any whatsoever, then that person simply should not have their number retired.

Yzerman, Howe, Sawchuk, Lindsay, Delvecchio, and Able. That's 6 (7 if including Larry Aurie's unretired #). See if you all can process this, 6 freaking guys in over 80 years of this team's history, and you all want to open the flood gates? Osgood? Federov? Shannahan? I'm surprised nobody is trying to get Zetterberg's number retired preemtively. Come on. You guys are making me tug my hair out.

Osgood was at one point the league's best goaltender, and was among the top handful of goalies in the world for most of his time as a starter with the club. Draper has never consistently played on a line higher than the third. I would say Lidstrom, Osgood, Fedorov, Shanahan, Konstantinov, Kozlov, Larionov, McCarty, Vernon, Hasek, Probert, Chiasson is a list of Wings that Draper has played with who are more deserving of jersey retirement than he is. And I've probably left off guys as well. The fact that you criticize for the suggestion that Osgood is the most deserving player after Lidstrom, when he is the only goalie in Wings history other than Sawchuk to post anywhere near the kind of numbers he has and was a dominant netminder in his prime, and then return with 'the next most deserving player is a career third liner' is laughable.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

This may confuse some, but Yes, Fedorov's number should probably be retired, but not by the Wings. The Jackets don't have any real history and if Sergei finishes his career in Columbus (very unlikely though), it would probably be something Columbus would want to do just to get a number in the rafters.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

This may confuse some, but Yes, Fedorov's number should probably be retired, but not by the Wings. The Jackets don't have any real history and if Sergei finishes his career in Columbus (very unlikely though), it would probably be something Columbus would want to do just to get a number in the rafters.

You're joking right? What about Rick Nash?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

You're joking right? What about Rick Nash?

Why would I be? Do you realize how many teams have retired numbers that don't deserve to be? It happens all to often, and Fedorov isn't the worst candidate to consider.

You're joking right? What about Rick Nash?

what does Rick Nash have to do with Fedorov's number being retired? Nash is 23 years old, Fedorov is 37. Nash is going to be around for atleast the next 12+ years, while Fedorov career is coming to a close. Fedorov has had a monstrous career, and Columbus doesn't have any numbers in the rafters. How is it so inconceivable to you that a team like Columbus would do this, given all the players that undeservedly have been raised?

[Guest Yzer19]

Never Forget Mac #25, actually that's a good point. If Fedorov does finish his career in Columbus it is very possible that Fedorov's number will be retired by them. Look at Colorado, they retired Bourque's number just to get a number up there and they had players that were even closer to retiring than Nash. Teams don't always retire numbers for the right reason. Of course the Red Wings have a good job with their choices of numbers that are retired.

Some Wings fans seem to think that because Yzerman's number is retired that Fedorov's should be retired, but I don't agree with that. Fedorov played a big role in the Wings success, but he chose to leave. If he had stayed in Detroit, then you could possibly make that case, but even then I'd probably think Yzerman is more deserving.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Why would I be? Do you realize how many teams have retired numbers that don't deserve to be? It happens all to often, and Fedorov isn't the worst candidate to consider.

what does Rick Nash have to do with Fedorov's number being retired? Nash is 23 years old, Fedorov is 37. Nash is going to be around for atleast the next 12+ years, while Fedorov career is coming to a close. Fedorov has had a monstrous career, and Columbus doesn't have any numbers in the rafters. How is it so inconceivable to you that a team like Columbus would do this, given all the players that undeservedly have been raised?

What has Fedorov done for Columbus though? Do you really think their fans are going to proudly look up at his number in the rafters knowing that he did nothing for them? Look at a guy like Bourque. Yes it's ridiculous that his number was retired, but at least he gave divealanche fans good memories when they won the cup in 2001.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

What has Fedorov done for Columbus though? Do you really think their fans are going to proudly look up at his number in the rafters knowing that he did nothing for them? Look at a guy like Bourque. Yes it's ridiculous that his number was retired, but at least he gave divealanche fans good memories when they won the cup in 2001.

But its pretty hard to argue that it was because of Bourque that they won the Cup. The team was stacked that year, and Borque moved there simply for the reason that it looked like the easiest way to get his name on the cup. Lucky Luc helped us to win it in 2002, but the Wings probably would've won it without him that year. Same thing could be said about Bourque.

Again, you're missing my point. There are plenty of guys that have their numbers retired even though they probably shouldn't. The point I'm making is that I wouldn't put it past a team like Columbus to do this simply to have a name in the rafters, and not many people would think about questioning it simply due to the prestigious career Fed's has had.

If the Avalanche want to retire Bourque's number for the single season he was there, its no more ridiculous than Columbus doing it, regardless of the Cup.

Edited August 28, 2007 by Never Forget Mac #25

[OsGOD 3]

What has Fedorov done for Columbus though? Do you really think their fans are going to proudly look up at his number in the rafters knowing that he did nothing for them? Look at a guy like Bourque. Yes it's ridiculous that his number was retired, but at least he gave divealanche fans good memories when they won the cup in 2001.

Maybe it won't be up there for their fans... I know if it gets in the rafters there I will proudly look up there every time I visit knowing what one whale of a hockey career #91 had and all the success he had with the wings and cups he helped us raise.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Unless he returns to the Wings, I say nay. And I'm not expecting him to return to the Wings either (no confirmations/soruces etc., just my gut opinion).

[eva unit zero 271]

But its pretty hard to argue that it was because of Bourque that they won the Cup. The team was stacked that year, and Borque moved there simply for the reason that it looked like the easiest way to get his name on the cup. Lucky Luc helped us to win it in 2002, but the Wings probably would've won it without him that year. Same thing could be said about Bourque.

Again, you're missing my point. There are plenty of guys that have their numbers retired even though they probably shouldn't. The point I'm making is that I wouldn't put it past a team like Columbus to do this simply to have a name in the rafters, and not many people would think about questioning it simply due to the prestigious career Fed's has had.

If the Avalanche want to retire Bourque's number for the single season he was there, its no more ridiculous than Columbus doing it, regardless of the Cup.

Fedorov's number being retired with Columbus is not a far fetched idea, given situations like Bourque in Colorado, or the fact that Ken Daneyko's #3 hangs in New Jersey. Fedorov was a better defenseman for the Jackets last year than daneyko ever was in his career, so it's entirely possible his 91 could hang there.

[Guest Yzer19]

Fedorov's number being retired with Columbus is not a far fetched idea, given situations like Bourque in Colorado, or the fact that Ken Daneyko's #3 hangs in New Jersey. Fedorov was a better defenseman for the Jackets last year than daneyko ever was in his career, so it's entirely possible his 91 could hang there.

I agree that Fedorov's number being retired by Columbus is not far fetched, but I disagree on Ken Daneyko. IMO, Daneyko's number being retired by New Jersey is similar to Detroit retiring Yzerman's number. Daneyko played his entire 20 year career in New Jersey much like Yzerman played his entire 22 year career in Detroit.

[auxlepli 17]

I voted no, 91 should not be retired. In fact I can't think of a current or former Wing whose number should be retired.

[Guest Yzer19]

I voted no, 91 should not be retired. In fact I can't think of a current or former Wing whose number should be retired.

Even the players that already have their numbers retired? You don't think their numbers should be retired either? And what about Lidstrom?

Edited August 30, 2007 by Yzer19

[auxlepli 17]

Ahhh yes ... once again I have a problem with clarity, apologies.

I meant players who don't already have their number retired.

Lidstrom would be the next player I could see having his number retired, but at this point it's a wait and see type thing. I could also see Draper having his number retired.

Frankly though I like they way the Leafs do it - honoring a number, but not retiring it. Look at all the crazy numbers current Canadien players must wear.

[Guest Yzer19]

Draper's number won't be retired, but Lidstrom's is a lock to be retired.

As for the Leafs idea of honoring a number, that works for a slightly less deserving player, but I can't see doing that for a player like Howe. I couldn't see anyone else wearing the #9. Maybe the other 5 numbers you could make a case for doing what the Leafs do, but certainly not Howe's #9. I'd like to see more of a middle ground than what the Leafs do because I think certain players deserve have their number retired. Maybe retire the number for the elite great players and then honor the others that are less deserving.

[eva unit zero 271]

Ahhh yes ... once again I have a problem with clarity, apologies.

I meant players who don't already have their number retired.

Lidstrom would be the next player I could see having his number retired, but at this point it's a wait and see type thing. I could also see Draper having his number retired.

Frankly though I like they way the Leafs do it - honoring a number, but not retiring it. Look at all the crazy numbers current Canadien players must wear.

A good comparison for Draper is a guy like Stephane Yelle in Colorado or Sami Pahlsson in Anaheim. Certainly had a positive effect and a key role on championship teams, but someone who was not irreplaceable and definitely not a guy who would ever have his number retired.

[Guest Yzer19]

The bottomline with Draper is he just didn't have a good enough career and he wasn't a good enough player. He's a career 3rd/4th liner. Even if Holmstrom plays his entire career in Detroit, I wouldn't want his number retired either. Fedorov and even Shanny are more deserving than those 2 players. The one thing that 5 of the 6 players, whose numbers were retired, have in common is they were all HOFers when their number was retired. The only one that's not a HOFer is Yzerman. I think Ilitch will only retire the numbers of a player that is a HOFer, Yzerman is the only exception because he was their first draft pick and he played his entire 22 year career here. My guess is if Yzerman doesn't end up getting in the HOF then there's a good possibility that his number will be unretired just like Aurie's number was unretired by Ilitch.

[Guest Yzer19]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The only number worthy of being retired in the near future is Lidstrom's.

First off, the more numbers you stick up in the rafter's, the cheaper the honor becomes. It really should be for players who have been extraordinary throughout their career, and that said career was spent entirely in Detroit.

If they retire Feds jersey, then they need to retire Shanny's, since he was just as important to the 3 most recent Cups...

If they retire Shanny's, then they should retire McCarty's, since he was such a fan favorite, and he won the same 3 Cups that Shanny & Feds did...

If they retire McCarty's, they should retire Draper's...

And Osgood's...

And Maltby's...

And Larionov's...

And Homer's...

Once you start, where do you stop? Eventually the Wings would run out of numbers to use.

This trend might have already started because of retiring Yzerman's number. Many Wings fans think that Fedorov was just as valuable if not more valuable to the Wings success than Yzerman, so they think Fedorov is just as deserving as Yzerman. Therefore because Yzerman's number is retired they think Fedorov's number should be retired. Once Fedorov's number is retired then the others will be debated. So if the Wings start retiring too many numbers it's because of their decision to retire the #19, not because they chose to retire the #91. If the Wings didn't retire Yzerman's number than we probably wouldn't even be debating this. The only one we'd be debating is Lidstrom's number.

I'll explain why Messier deserves it and Federov doesn't in a brief and concise way: Messier played for the Rangers, and Federov played for the Red Wings.

Here is the expanded version:

Yes, both teams are origional 6 teams with long histories, but the history of the Rangers is very average. Perhaps you can remember when the Red Wings were the Dead Wings? Well, that's pretty much how it's been for NY since the NHL began. I mean, Richter was a very average goalie, and Messier is a bit of a ******, but the fact remains that they are all NY has to remember. That cup they won in 93-94 is all they have had since the stone age.

The Red Wings, on the other hand, have a long history of dedicated players, players that were both statistically relivant and played hard. In some places, ala St. Louis, a guy like Brett Hull (for example) can play there for a few seasons and score a bunch of goals and accomplish jack s*** (in terms of postseason success), but that jack S*** is all they have ever accomplished, so why not relish in it? However, these 3 cups were not Detroit's only 3 cups, we've won more, SO ACT LIKE IT! Federov was great, blah blah blah, but in Hockeytown only the BEST of the BEST of the BEST get up there. Detroit should only retire a number when there is absolutely no reason or room for debate, like Yzerman. Who would ever have this debate about Steve Yzerman? I doubt u'd even see any debate over Lidstrom. But Federov? Osgood? Shannahan? MCCARTY???? uh... Do you people think this is an expansion team? Let Columbus retire Federov's number, this is Detroit.

The only Red Wings retired number that wasn't debatable was Gordie Howe's #9.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

This trend might have already started because of retiring Yzerman's number. Many Wings fans think that Fedorov was just as valuable if not more valuable to the Wings success than Yzerman, so they think Fedorov is just as deserving as Yzerman. Therefore because Yzerman's number is retired they think Fedorov's number should be retired. Once Fedorov's number is retired then the others will be debated. So if the Wings start retiring too many numbers it's because of their decision to retire the #19, not because they chose to retire the #91. If the Wings didn't retire Yzerman's number than we probably wouldn't even be debating this. The only one we'd be debating is Lidstrom's number.

The only Red Wings retired number that wasn't debatable was Gordie Howe's #9.

Obviously I voted no.

1. Had he played his entire career in Detroit i'd be all for his number being retired, enigmatic regular seasons and all, but he didn't so no.

2. Yes, he was one of the best players for us ever, the points don't lie but IMO, we don't retire numbers merely for points so no.

Too much baggage and too much animosity towards the guy. His fans will defend him until they die but in the end he still held out, he still signed an offer sheet to go play in ******* carolina and he made the most baffling decision ever to sign for less money in Anaheim.

Comparing him to Lindsay or Abel and what they did is irrelevant. Those guys played in a different era and their impact on the franchise and the game of hockey itself was so great during that time that they were deserving. You can't look at their individual accomplishments or compare Feds numbers to theirs IMO. Totally different eras, different everything.

What you can do is look at the jersey that just went up (19) and look at the jersey that will go up next (5). Yzerman, perhaps one of the 10 greatest players ever and Lidstrom, perhaps one of the top 3-5 defenseman to ever play the game. Fedorov may be the greatest russian to ever play the game but he's no Yzerman and no Lidstrom and he won't have his number retired IMO.

[RedWings Gone Wild 6]

This trend might have already started because of retiring Yzerman's number. Many Wings fans think that Fedorov was just as valuable if not more valuable to the Wings success than Yzerman, so they think Fedorov is just as deserving as Yzerman. Therefore because Yzerman's number is retired they think Fedorov's number should be retired. Once Fedorov's number is retired then the others will be debated. So if the Wings start retiring too many numbers it's because of their decision to retire the #19, not because they chose to retire the #91. If the Wings didn't retire Yzerman's number than we probably wouldn't even be debating this. The only one we'd be debating is Lidstrom's number.

The only Red Wings retired number that wasn't debatable was Gordie Howe's #9.

Sorry, that makes no sense... No choice was made to retire Yzerman's number.. it was a given, you had no option but to retire his number. Sorry, but that's just the truth. Everyone even somewhat familiar with Hockey knew it would happen. It certainly doesn't open the door for Federov at all, because the circumstances are completely different. Value is irrelivant, that's not the only factor considered when retiring a number. If it was, any superstar on any team for a decent amount of time would have their number retired. And Gordie Howe the only # that wasn't debatable? Sorry, but Ted Lindsay, Alex Delvecchio, Sawchuk, and Abel within the context of their time are simply not debatable... not even for a second. Delvecchio played 1549 games in Detroit, In case you're wondering, that is MORE than Yzerman. When Del retired he had 2nd all time points in NHL history, and had won 3 cups with us, was our Captain for 12 seasons (he is still 3rd on Wings all time scoring)... Uhhh, debatable? okay, you'd probably debate Mario in Pittsburg, or Orr in Boston. Also, read up on what Lindsay did for the sport of hockey with the corruption of the league at the time. It's easy to say these people don't belong up there when you're looking back through decades. Now their point and cup totals aren't as impressive, but once again I emplore you to think of things in the context of the times. None of our retired numbers are or ever have been debatable. Federov, Osgood, Draper.. all of them are very debatable and will not get their # retired.

Edited September 16, 2007 by RedWings Gone Wild

[RedWings Gone Wild 6]

Also, just FYI, for those who think every significant wing should get their # retired, here is a list of Hall of Fame players who spent the majority of their careers in Detroit w/out getting their # retired:

Ebbie Goodfellow (entire career in Detroit), Syd Howe, Red Kelly, Marcel Pronovost, Harry Lumley, Jack Stewart, Norm Ullman (6th all time Wings scoring).... Pretty much all of these guys were majorly important in multiple Detroit cup wins, they were all some of Hockey's all-time greats, and most of them helped shape the modern game. Yet none of them have their # retired in Detroit. It's simply not an honor that's given out easily in Detroit. Soon you will be able to add Federov to that list of guys. I would say you could add Osgood too, but he won't be a hall of famer.

[Guest Yzer19]

RedWings Gone Wild, you made some good points. I guess I just think Yzerman's number wasn't a given because it took over 2 months for them to announce they were retiring it. I can understand it taking a while to pick out a date and coordinate with everyone, but they still could've announced it right away they were going to retire the #19 and the date is still to be determined. The Wings did have an option, they could have chosen to not retire it, but that would've been wrong. As for Delvecchio, you are right that he did play his entire career in Detroit, there really wasn't any debating it, but I'm not sure why it took so long for it to get retired. As for Lindsay, Abel, and Sawchuk, they all played on other teams so that would be the only reason that you could debate their numbers being retired. Good points about other HOFers not having their number retired. I like that the Wings aren't number retiring happy like some other teams. Most of the numbers retired are truly deserving of it and belong in the rafters. I certainly hope that Yzerman's number doesn't start a number retiring trend for the Wings. I hate to say, but if it is going to start a trend then I'd rather they take it down and only retire Lidstrom's number from the moder era. Hopefully it won't be a problem. So far so good. I guess we will just have to wait and see until more of these players start retiring.