Not So Fast: Sergei will be exploring his options on the trip to Russi

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/05/be...f_sergei_f.html

Beware the reports of Sergei Fedorov heading back to Russia (updated with Wings comments)

Posted by George James Malik May 27, 2009 07:38AM

The rumour mill's stirring thanks to a TSN-quoted RDS report, taken from Sport-Express, that former Red Wing Sergei Fedorov may head to Russia to play for Metallurg Magnitogorsk, and the Sporting News's Craig Custance discusses the situation at length:

May 26, The Sporting News: There were reports out of Russia that Fedorov was close to signing a two-year deal to finish his career in the KHL. Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post and ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun both reported that it isn't a done deal. In an e-mail to SportingNews.com, Fedorov's agent Pat Brisson wrote that there is still a possibility of Fedorov playing in the NHL next season. "At this point Sergei will be exploring his options on the trip to Russia next week. In the meantime I will continue to speak with the Capitals," Brisson wrote.

But the most interesting comments came from Detroit goalie Chris Osgood when I asked him about Fedorov's legacy in Detroit. He said it's a huge loss to the NHL when these veteran Russians finish their careers in the KHL. Last year it was guys like Jaromir Jagr and Alexei Zhitnik. Now, as we learned from Allan Walsh's Twitter feed, Viktor Kozlov got a two-year deal in the KHL. Fedorov could be next.

Osgood doesn't like the trend.

"To lose those guys is huge. We have to figure out a way to keep guys like Sergei and Jagr and those great older veteran players, have them over here and find roles for them," Osgood said. "I think it's important to have older guys like that, that younger European players can look up to when they get over here and understand how to handle themselves on and off the ice. That's what guys like Igor Larionov did for him."

From what I understand, the RDS report comes from an Igor Larin story in Sport-Express, and as Red Wings fans who recall Fedorov's decision to sign with the Anaheim Ducks back in 2003, you trust Larin and Fedorov's agent, "Bagdhad Bob" Brisson, at your own risk.

Update 8:58 AM: The Detroit News's David Goricki spoke to Osgood and Wings coach Mike Babcock about Fedorov:

May 27, Detroit News: "He's one of those guys everybody always associated with being a Red Wing," Osgood said after practice Tuesday morning. "He's a great player. He really put us on his back for a few seasons, played awesome. He played unbelievable in the playoffs.

"He's a great guy, too. I think he got misunderstood a few times. I just think when he left, he thought it was his time to go. It comes with every player. After a while players get stagnant and they want a change of scenery for a while. Sergei did. That's nothing against him. He was awesome when he was here. I think he'll be known as one of the best players to play here for sure.

"I'm amazed he still plays the way he does at 40 years old. It's a shame he's leaving. I wish guys like him and Jaromir Jagr would stay and play in the NHL. I think it's important to have older guys like that that younger European players look up to when they get over here and understand how to handle themselves on and off the ice."

...

"Sergei has had a great career," Babcock said. "I still think he can play in the league here as a defenseman, for sure."

The Free Press's Helene St. James asked the Wings' players to weigh in as well...

May 27, Detroit Free Press: "I know a lot of people, not just within the organization but fans, were sad to see him move on from Detroit," forward Kirk Maltby said. "He was a fixture here. He was an unbelievable player, a star player. He was a guy that maybe at times got questioned about whether he came to play or not every night, but ... the one thing about Sergei, if that was true or not, at any given time in a game he could take the puck and go end-to-end and get the game-winning goal. He's a super nice guy. I enjoyed playing with him."

Babcock coached Fedorov in Anaheim in 2003-04.

"I remember Sergei always saying to me, 'I never have the puck, Mike, I never have the puck. The D never pass me the puck.' So I went back and I looked at our D. I compared to it Detroit's D," Babcock said. "I knew why he never had the puck. He couldn't understand why we wanted to chip it ahead and race onto it all the time. Well, part of that is because if you don't have these people, what are you going to do? Sergei has had a great career. I still think he can play in the league."

As did MLive.com's own Ansar Khan:

May 27, MLive.com: "I think he got misunderstood a few times," Osgood said. "He thought it was his time to go. After a while players get stagnant, and they want a change of scenery. I think he'll be known as one of the best players to play here."

Babcock coached Fedorov in Anaheim in 2003-04, when the Ducks failed to make the playoffs. He said Fedorov could still play in the league -- especially on defense, where former coach Scotty Bowman sometimes used him.

"I remember Sergei always saying to me, 'I never have the puck, Mike, I never have the puck. The D never pass me the puck,' " Babcock said. "So I went back and I looked at our D. I compared to it Detroit's D. I knew why he never had the puck.

"He couldn't understand why we wanted to chip it ahead and race onto it all the time. Well, part of that is because if you don't have these (skilled) people, what are you going to do?"

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

I love him and hope that he doesn't go and would love it if he came back to play for detroit.

baaaah.... you have to click on and it takes you to youtube..

Edited May 27, 2009 by Rocket Queen 30

[Nev 1,085]

Great article with some really interesting quotes - thanks for posting

[Jake Ryan 1]

Sergei's in financial trouble, if I remember correctly. I don't think he's going to find a better paycheck here in the states, unfortunately. I'd like to see him get 17 more goals and finish over 500. That's 2 years of work for Sergei in the NHL. Perhaps the Capitals can pony up enough to keep him. I don't think so, though.

[Konnan511 1,736]

I'd take him on D any day of the week!

[VM1138 1,921]

Sergei's in financial trouble, if I remember correctly. I don't think he's going to find a better paycheck here in the states, unfortunately. I'd like to see him get 17 more goals and finish over 500. That's 2 years of work for Sergei in the NHL. Perhaps the Capitals can pony up enough to keep him. I don't think so, though.

I wonder if Babcock was serious or joking about having Federov as a defenseman with the Wings.

Cue the rumor mills!

[Grim 5]

Sergei would be huge if he came back... especially at D.

But if he indeed were looking for something in the neighbourhood of $4m per... good luck with that.

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

I'd soooo take him on D.. In a heartbeat. Make it happen Kenny! Make it happen!

[Jake Ryan 1]

Helm-Datsyuk-Hossa

Cleary-Zetterberg-Franzen

Hudler-Filppula-Abdelkader

Kopecky-Draper-Samuelsson

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Fedorov

Osgood

Howard

That wouldn't be fair. I think we need to keep Chelios just to make it fair for the rest of the league.

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

Helm-Datsyuk-Hossa

Cleary-Zetterberg-Franzen

Hudler-Filppula-Abdelkader

Kopecky-Draper-Samuelsson

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Fedorov

Osgood

Howard

That wouldn't be fair. I think we need to keep Chelios just to make it fair for the rest of the league.

no.. it would be effing awesome and i might pee my pants!

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I wonder if Babcock was serious or joking about having Federov as a defenseman with the Wings.

Cue the rumor mills!

Jesus people, stop it. Babcock said he thought he could play D in the league. He didn't say he thought he could play D for Detroit.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Law of diminishing returns.

[Theophany 110]

Helm-Datsyuk-Hossa

Cleary-Zetterberg-Franzen

Hudler-Filppula-Abdelkader

Kopecky-Draper-Samuelsson

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Fedorov

Osgood

Howard

That wouldn't be fair. I think we need to keep Chelios just to make it fair for the rest of the league.

You forgot Helm. His playoff performance this year and last has put him easily on the roster next season. I'd hate to see him go back down to GR.

Also, we're not going to be able to keep Hossa and some of the other guys that are going to be RFA/UFA after this season unless people start taking massive pay cuts. Hudler/Sammy/Kopecky are all up after this season (and Hossa, obviously).

Yeah it would be nice to keep Hossa around, but there's no chance of that lineup happening (i.e. bringing Feds back, keeping Hossa, and re-signing Sammy/Hudler/Kopecky).

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

Jesus people, stop it. Babcock said he thought he could play D in the league. He didn't say he thought he could play D for Detroit.

He also didn't say that he didn't think he could play for Detroit.

Stop what exactly? Stop wishing that my favorite player might return to my favorite team and finish his career there. Does that some how offend you? You have your dreams and I have mine.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I'd soooo take him on D.. In a heartbeat. Make it happen Kenny! Make it happen!

Why exactly do we need Sergei Fedorov?

Why exactly do we need a 40 year old forward to play defense for us?

Why, when we are the defending Stanley Cup champs and likely headed back to the Stanley Cup finals, would we want another 40 year old player who is well past his prime?

Are we trying to corner the market on 40+ year old players in the NHL? Do the Wings get some type of AARP compensation for accepting the aged of the NHL?

The Wings already have 8 defenseman locked into contracts for next season

Lidstrom

Rafalski

Kronwall

Stuart

Lilja

Lebda

Ericsson

Meech

On the other hand we only have 10 forwards locked into contracts.

Unsigned

Hossa

Hudler

Samuelsson

Leino

Kopecky

It would sure be nice to get Hossa signed. But if we can't, then we should get Hudler and Sammy signed. People forget that even though they aren't superstars, these 2 guys are part of the reason why our depth is greater than any other team in the league.

Leino is restricted but needs to be signed, he shows potential. Kopecky can go for all I care.

Why would we spend 7 figures on Fedorov? Makes absolutely no ******* sense. Just emotional people thinking with their hearts about what they would prefer versus what is best for the team.

As it stands, I don't think Babcock wants him on the team. I'm really not too sure Holland does either. And its not like we're a struggling team, desperate for his talent.

I hope Feds goes to Russia and enjoys playing the game without the pressures that come with the NHL. He should go there and finish his playing days and be happy.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

He also didn't say that he didn't think he could play for Detroit.

Stop what exactly? Stop wishing that my favorite player might return to my favorite team and finish his career there. Does that some how offend you? You have your dreams and I have mine.

Quoted from my other post:

"Just emotional people thinking with their hearts about what they would prefer versus what is best for the team."

But it's good to know you put your personal dreams and wishes ahead of what's best for the organization.

And you must be kidding with your he didn't exclude Detroit as a team he could play for comment. Seriously? What's he going to say? "I think he could play D in this league.....but not for Detroit." I guess we have to read some kind of crazy, reverse implication from Babcock's non-committal commentary about Fedorov's ability to play.

Like my grandfather used to say: Wish in one hand, s*** in the other and see which one fills first.

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

Why exactly do we need Sergei Fedorov?

Why exactly do we need a 40 year old forward to play defense for us?

Why, when we are the defending Stanley Cup champs and likely headed back to the Stanley Cup finals, would we want another 40 year old player who is well past his prime?

Are we trying to corner the market on 40+ year old players in the NHL? Do the Wings get some type of AARP compensation for accepting the aged of the NHL?

The Wings already have 8 defenseman locked into contracts for next season

Lidstrom

Rafalski

Kronwall

Stuart

Lilja

Lebda

Ericsson

Meech

On the other hand we only have 10 forwards locked into contracts.

Unsigned

Hossa

Hudler

Samuelsson

Leino

Kopecky

It would sure be nice to get Hossa signed. But if we can't, then we should get Hudler and Sammy signed. People forget that even though they aren't superstars, these 2 guys are part of the reason why our depth is greater than any other team in the league.

Leino is restricted but needs to be signed, he shows potential. Kopecky can go for all I care.

Why would we spend 7 figures on Fedorov? Makes absolutely no ******* sense. Just emotional people thinking with their hearts about what they would prefer versus what is best for the team.

As it stands, I don't think Babcock wants him on the team. I'm really not too sure Holland does either. And its not like we're a struggling team, desperate for his talent.

I hope Feds goes to Russia and enjoys playing the game without the pressures that come with the NHL. He should go there and finish his playing days and be happy.

They have 8 D men on lock down, but who knows what's going to happen with Lilja and Lebda blows. Either way it's just something I like to think about. Realistically, it's very unlikely that it would happen but I like thinking of the possibilites. Go rain on someone elses parade please.

[Theophany 110]

Why would we spend 7 figures on Fedorov? Makes absolutely no ******* sense. Just emotional people thinking with their hearts about what they would prefer versus what is best for the team.

Absolutely. If we could get him for change, sure, but he's going to want some serious coin to stay here when he could go back to Russia and play for however much. I'd much rather keep our great forwards than grab an old forward and have him play D.

I'd imagine that Kenny and Babs think the same.

[Jake Ryan 1]

You forgot Helm. His playoff performance this year and last has put him easily on the roster next season. I'd hate to see him go back down to GR.

Also, we're not going to be able to keep Hossa and some of the other guys that are going to be RFA/UFA after this season unless people start taking massive pay cuts. Hudler/Sammy/Kopecky are all up after this season (and Hossa, obviously).

Yeah it would be nice to keep Hossa around, but there's no chance of that lineup happening (i.e. bringing Feds back, keeping Hossa, and re-signing Sammy/Hudler/Kopecky).

I got him on the first line, bro!!! Come on. I know Helm is the SHIZ. I've got an HHO, but it aint for Holmstrom.

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

Quoted from my other post:

"Just emotional people thinking with their hearts about what they would prefer versus what is best for the team."

But it's good to know you put your personal dreams and wishes ahead of what's best for the organization.

Considering that my personal dreams and wishes have absolutely no impact on the organization, that's a pretty ignorant rebuttal but, you're entitled to your opinions as I am mine. Am I thinking with my heart rather than my head.. probably but since my thoughts have no impact on what The Red Wings or Sergei Fedorov choose to do, exactly how is that bad for the team?

And you must be kidding with your he didn't exclude Detroit as a team he could play for comment. Seriously? What's he going to say? "I think he could play D in this league.....but not for Detroit." I guess we have to read some kind of crazy, reverse implication from Babcock's non-committal commentary about Fedorov's ability to play.

Like my grandfather used to say: Wish in one hand, s*** in the other and see which one fills first.

Why must I be kidding? Can't I just be having fun with an idea, even if its only fun for me? Jeez. You're a buzz kill and not very nice.

[Theophany 110]

I got him on the first line, bro!!! Come on. I know Helm is the SHIZ. I've got an HHO, but it aint for Holmstrom.

Helm really isn't first-line material, guess that's why I missed him.

He's a great energy player right now to put on the fourth line to put some pucks deep and forecheck hard, but he doesn't have the net presence or the scoring ability to warrant putting him on the first line.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Considering that my personal dreams and wishes have absolutely no impact on the organization, that's a pretty ignorant rebuttal but, you're entitled to your opinions as I am mine. Am I thinking with my heart rather than my head.. probably but since my thoughts have no impact on what The Red Wings or Sergei Fedorov choose to do, exactly how is that bad for the team?

Why must I be kidding? Can't I just be having fun with an idea, even if its only fun for me? Jeez. You're a buzz kill and not very nice.

The point is why would you wish for something that makes no sense for the organization? They've got 8 D locked down to contracts and Kindl not terribly far away. Even so, we have to fill out the roster with some forwards. As it stands we don't have enough forwards under contract to fill out the roster.

Do we want to bring in Fedorov to play forward? If so, he's going to carry a moderately hefty price tag. Which means no Marian Hossa at all.

It also might mean no Hudler and no Samuelsson.

It could mean Leino gets dumped, traded or signed by another team and we are forced to match.

Any scenario you look at that brings Fedorov in as a defender makes no sense when we have plenty of D under contract and not enough forwards.

Any scenario you look at that brings Fedorov in as a forward means adding Fedorov and subtracting Hossa and possibly any combination of Hudler or Samuelsson at least.

Why am I "raining on your parade"? Because it baffles me that given the time to analyze the situation, people would still pray, wish and hope for something to happen that would benefit their own personal happiness but if indeed it happened, would be detrimental to the team.

Can I say with 100% certainty that adding Fedorov would make us a worse team. Nope. But I feel safe to assume that adding a 40 year old in place of Hossa and other integral parts would likely make us a worse team.

Why wish for that?

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

The point is why would you wish for something that makes no sense for the organization? They've got 8 D locked down to contracts and Kindl not terribly far away. Even so, we have to fill out the roster with some forwards. As it stands we don't have enough forwards under contract to fill out the roster.

Do we want to bring in Fedorov to play forward? If so, he's going to carry a moderately hefty price tag. Which means no Marian Hossa at all.

It also might mean no Hudler and no Samuelsson.

It could mean Leino gets dumped, traded or signed by another team and we are forced to match.

Any scenario you look at that brings Fedorov in as a defender makes no sense when we have plenty of D under contract and not enough forwards.

Any scenario you look at that brings Fedorov in as a forward means adding Fedorov and subtracting Hossa and possibly any combination of Hudler or Samuelsson at least.

Why am I "raining on your parade"? Because it baffles me that given the time to analyze the situation, people would still pray, wish and hope for something to happen that would benefit their own personal happiness but if indeed it happened, would be detrimental to the team.

Can I say with 100% certainty that adding Fedorov would make us a worse team. Nope. But I feel safe to assume that adding a 40 year old in place of Hossa and other integral parts would likely make us a worse team.

Why wish for that?

I'm not wishing for that. My point wasn't to bring him in as a 3rd line center or even a forward. I did mention defense, did I not? And I did so primarly because he's my favorite player but also because we don't know what's going to happen with Lilja and I'd be okay with losing Lebda over it. As far as our forwards go I'm really not so certain we'll be keeping Sammy anyway but whatever. The bottome line here is that if it would ultimately hurt my team to pick up Fedorov I wouldn't realistically want that to happen but, if in my fantasy hockey mind it wouldn't hurt my team and I could see Fedorov finish his career in Detroit, you bet I do.

[WingsFan2008 0]

If he's willing to come back for one season at the league minimum sure. Otherwise, to hell with him.