The Edmonton Journal is reporting that the Columbus Blue Jackets may buy out the last year of former Red Wing Sergei Fedorov’s contract, the same one he signed in 2003 when he left Detroit for Anaheim. This little piece of news has led some to pose the idea of bringing Sergei back to the team that drafted him and helped him defect from the USSR. It’s an interesting question. A player of Fedorov’s capabilities would certainly be attractive to everyone, were it not for his history. Unfortunately, that history may be a roadblock.
As everyone remembers, Sergei did not leave Detroit on the best of terms. It wasn’t about the money, as he eventually took the same $40 million Wings had offered him after withdrawing their original $50 million offer. It was more a division between Sergei and management. Given that management is largely the same these days, does it seem realistic to think that those differences are gone?
It also doesn’t help that the team is coached by Mike Babcock, who, we know from watching his handling of Robert Lang, doesn’t accommodate the whole moody superstar act. Still, Sergei’s stats in 2003-2004 (his year in Anaheim under Babcock) were pretty decent, so maybe there wouldn’t be as much friction between the two as there was between Lang and Babs. I wish I had paid more attention that year, because I honestly can’t remember if they got along okay or not.
When he left Detroit in 2003, Sergei was a selfish, whiny player running up against the transition plans of the Detroit front office. He wanted to be the #1 man and to play his game, which was apparently the only way he would have felt wanted by a city that took him for granted until contract negotiations. The Wings wanted him to be a team player and to mentor Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, who were visibly on the rise and prepping to pick up the torch of leadership. When he couldn’t get what he wanted in Detroit, he bolted to Anaheim, where he thought he’d get it. He didn’t, though, and, in the seasons since, Fedorov has seemingly matured and has started speaking like a teammate rather than a superstar. He’s clearly a different player, and person, than he was.
To return to the question of whether or not the Wings would bring him back: I’d be all for it, if it’d be on financial terms similar to Hasek’s contract last year. Do I think they will? Probably not. Changed man or not, Sergei said a lot of hard words when he left the team and I’m sure many more were said behind closed doors on both sides. While that bridge may not be fully burned down, I’d be surprised to find out that it’s one either side can still cross enough to reach a deal. Plus, he may still have enough of the superstar mindset that he’d clash with Babcock.
Even if I’m wrong about relations between Sergei and the front office, there’s no mistaking the sentiment among a particularly ungrateful and shameless subset of Wings fans that boo him every time he touches the puck at the Joe. I’ve never understood the idea of booing Sergei after his first return to JLA as a Duck. I was all for it that night, but that time is long, long past. Do I think those people would be mature enough to cheer Sergei were he to don the Winged Wheel again? No, I can’t say I do. They seem to only remember that he left, not what he did while he was here and why would his return change that limited mindset? The rest of us were able to move on, but apparently we’re not the ones in majority at the Joe.
I would love to have Sergei Fedorov back, but the bridge between him and the fans has been burned to ash by those overly-vocal ingrates and I can’t see it being rebuilt again. Detroit can warm to Todd Bertuzzi and Chris Chelios, but I think Sergei Fedorov will always be a villain to a large number of fans in this city and, given that, he would probably just end up being a distraction rather than what he should be: a valuable (and valued) member of a powerhouse squad.
In response to the idea of wether people would boo him or not, I was LIVID when I found that Bert was signed. I never thought I’d be hoping that he got resigned, but here I am. I think that as a fan, I have more respect and am a bigger fan of the Detroit Red Wings than any particular player (except the captain, and The Captain).
Hey Matt:
I also saw that interesting tidbit on Fedorov. It looks unlikely that he’ll come back in my opinion. He would be a great asset for the Wings, not only because of his skill, but also because of his matured attitude. I think he still has a home in Bloomfield Hills and I know he comes back on occasion. I actually knew his younger brother Fedor back in high school. Anyways, Sergei plays both ends of the ice at a dominant level when he is on his game. The thing with Sergei is that his point totals have dropped in the last few years. Perhaps this suggests a trend that developed in Columbus where he became sort of a Nash Feeder. Also, the considerable amount of time he spends playing on the blue line instead of center most likely contributed to his off-pace. I would love to see him centering the third line in a Wings jersey again. Those booing fans have to remember how many points he put up here (4th all time I think).
I’ve always liked Bert because he was able to use his hands while being a big guy. The way he used to play in Vancouver left me a bit frustrated in comparison to his performance in the playoffs this year. I think a healthy back will do wonders for him. I hope we sign him and I think he’ll take a paycut to stay with our squad.
Schneider is my biggest worry right now. I hope we can get him at a reasonable, albeit higher, rate. I read somewhere that Markov may still have a chance if Schneider proves too costly. As it stands right now, I think we are looking pretty solid next year. Things are bound to be interesting over the next couple of weeks.
The idea of Fedorov coming back to the Red Wings would be reason enough for any 1996-2002 Wings fan to turn their TV’s to VS or FSN to catch a game. It’s a win win in almost any category. Unfortunately, players like Sergei Fedorov don’t just walk into a organization for a few bucks and a coke, regardless of any prior history with a club. Anyone (from Hockeytown especially) will tell you that Fedorov is a gold digger. And though he might not have left Detroit for money, he still, like any human on earth, loves it. We all remember his little holdout in 97-98. All this is coming from a former Sergei Fedorov fanatic, so don’t think I wouldn’t love to see this happen. Just a honest response.
I will not argue, the man has changed in his ways. Hes more team ordinated than ever before, and he’s got his priorities straight. I just don’t think he’s willing to take a pay cut to go back to a rink he is booed in every game. The man already has 3 of Lord Stanley’s Cups to his name. As well as 5 all star appearances, 2 Selke trophies, a Lester B., and to top it all off a Hart trophy. (Not to mention his all Rookie team make in 91). What more can a player in one career do?
Well, hopefully he can decide to finish it where he started, take the pay cut, and become one of the best Red Wings in history. And for an encore, help out on the blue line when down a defenseman (which seems inevitable), coach up some young players, and maybe raise one more cup. He can also shake any feelings of doubt with the Red Wing faithful. The fans in Detroit are passionate about there hockey, any player with superstar quality who leaves making noise has a chance of getting booed. But I think the JLA fans would agree, its nothing a little re-singing wouldn’t fix.
Like I say, the idea is good, the hope is there, but the chance is slim. Not a soul in Detroit doesn’t trust Ken Holland to make the right moves with the team, and in the end, its only his words that count. So buckle up hockeytown. There’s plenty more rumors to be shot down. Its only June.
Matt, the reason people boo Sergei is because of the things he said when he left and the whole situation when he left. Plenty of guys have left an organization because of differences with management or coaching and not made a big fuss. Sergei could not do that. Most Red Wings fans were very hurt when he left, because of his comments and because of where he went. Plus, he took less money to go there. Were he to come back, I have no doubt in my mind that Red Wings fans, including those at JLA, would welcome him and cheer his return. The Bertuzzi thing is a good point. If Wings fans can get behind that signing and come to a point where we are defending him, then why wouldn’t we do the same for Sergei? I think you are a little too hard on the fans at the Joe. They are passionate and want the best for the team, just like us.
I hate hearing fans boo any NHL player save for my neutrality on a couple of goons. I would also hate if people came to my job and booed me while I was trying to work. Sergei is a world-class athelete, but he is also just like the rest of us. He left our team, but he didn’t leave our game. We should support him for everything he has done for the Wings, the NHL, and the numerous Russian players who followed in his, Fetisov’s, and Larionov’s footsteps. Passion is one thing; outright disrespect is quite another. It’s not like he took a dump on the Hockeytown logo at center ice. He just didn’t quite get along with management. So, I think being hard on fans who boo hockey players is justified. It’s being hard on the player is what’s unjustified.
Megan, I agree with you. I don’t think it’s fair of Matt to lay so much blame on the Wings fans when Sergei was the one, last I checked, who likened leaving Detroit to defecting from the USSR – even though WE were the organization that helped him defect originally. It’s not really unexpected, as I’ve read stuff like this before on On the Wings. Frankly, I’m surprised it was admitted that Sergei was “a selfish, whiny player”…
The rest of us were able to move on, but apparently we’re not the ones in majority at the Joe.
It’s important to remember that the fans at the Joe are paying for their seats and if they choose to boo, immature as you think they are, it’s their right as far as I’m concerned. Who is the “rest of us” you’re talking about? How do you know whether people at home watching on TV weren’t booing as well, or wouldn’t do the same? It seems like you’re trying to make it out like the Joe fans are of a different breed (“them”) just because they can afford to attend, and the “us” is right for being so willing to take Sergei in…whoever “us” is, anyways…I think the argument that Joe fans are inherently stupid and naive is soo old and exaggerated. Not that I’m a Joe fan at all, I’ve been to like 2 games ever. I just get tired of hearing that over and over again, particularly on this site.
Brian
Bringing Back Fedorov?
I say Sergei would be an asset to the Wings. We started last season on fire for the Blue Jackets but was injured early on. If he were to come back, I envision him strictly in a third line role, alongside Draper and Maltby. The Wings need to make way for Hudler and Filppula to showcase their skills.
My final point is this, in last year’s playoffs (07), with both Schneider and Kronwall felled by injuries, one must wonder if the Wings would have gone further with Fedorov playing on their blueline in replace of these guys?
Lukas, over and out
Your right Lukas, one must wonder. But I for one, and I believe you would agree, that’s a very, very strong possibility. The absence of Schneider in the Ducks series proved to be just one more nail in the coffin. We missed him with passion on the Power play, and as our trigger man, we needed him replaced. This is where Fedorov would work perfectly. He has spent a large amount of time playing in a defensive position. He protected our net was a Red Wing at a time, and was often defending during the past regular season as a Blue Jacket.
So the experience is there, but what about skill..?
Come on, were talking Sergei Fedorov here. Mind you, a 37 year old Sergei, but him nonetheless. I do have to disagree as far as line placement, I’m not sure Draper and Maltby are the best fit for him, considering Draper’s face-off skill, as well as Sergei’s, I just don’t think two Centers would work out. Plus, he would fit better with a high speed, better scoring line. He would be a nice fit going under center with players like Bertuzzi and Samuelsson to his left and right. But as a flexible player, he could also provide relief and step in to even our first line to provide relief in a long game, or to add another weapon to a deadly combination of forwards. Another strong possibility would be to put him on a line with the young guns. Filppula will see more time next year and could learn a lot from a guy like Fedorov. The playing styles are very similar and although they play the same position, they could cause some problems for late line defenders.
Frankly, the more I think about this… The better of an idea this sounds, salery & buyout pending. Can we agree? Get Holland on the line.
Megan,
Maybe my words were a little harsh, but I’d be more willing to give the fans there the benefit of the doubt if it weren’t for the fact that the boos are as loud as ever. You’re probably right, though, many people would cheer him in time, but there are probably still going to be those people who will always hold it against him.
Austin,
Good point. Maybe the Wings will go after him, if he is bought out, knowing that attendance and their TV ratings would hit the roof.
Jordan,
Agreed, to a point. I felt there was a time to boo Sergei, but now that more details about his departure have come out, now that he’s spent years in hockey purgatory, etc., that time has passed. It’d be great if those same fans who are booing Sergei could turn around and give him some credit for what he did when he was here.
Brian,
You know what? That comment you say Sergei made about the Wings=USSR does not offend me all that much. I long ago gave up the idealistic fantasy that the Wings front office is infallible and angelic. I’m a passionate Wings fan, but just because the front office provides a winning squad each year does not mean all of their actions smell like roses.
The fact is, when Illitch made that offer to Fedorov, he was going through a divorce and wasn’t interested in negotiations at the moment. The Wings disregarded this extenuating circumstance, and that, coupled with Sergei’s wish to be part of the transition leadership of the team, resulted in his decision to leave. It wasn’t a mere minor difference in philosophy, such as contributed to Shanahan’s departure.
Obviously we don’t know everything that went on behind the scenes, but Sergei himself said that he’d still be a Wing were it not for the personal issues that came between him and the team in negotiations. So, purely blaming Fedorov for his departure, and holding his anti-organization comments against him, is incredibly naive.
As you say, people at the Joe have the right to boo, since everyone has the right to be an idiot. That doesn’t mean it’s not asinine.
I know that there are other fans who have gotten over it because I own a site like this and have read fan comments on the issue. There are people at both ends of the spectrum. I’m not the only one who has moved on.
Given that large numbers of the fans at the Joe are regular attendees, it’s really not such a stretch to generalize about them. So, I do, because all too often the fans at the Joe put on a shameful showing compared to fans in other cities as far as noise and passion are concerned. That’s my big beef with them and it will remain so until that place is noisy like it used to be and fans come to watch the first and third periods as well as the second.
Lukas,
That’s definitely an interesting question. If Sergei does come back, he’d probably have to fill in like that a few times, given our blueline’s penchant for injuries.