federov back @ hockey town usa but playing for ducks.
Quote:
Fedorov returns to Motor City
The Canadian Press
12/2/2003
DETROIT (AP) - Sergei Fedorov came to the Red Wings as a 20-year-old defector from Russia and left with three Stanley Cups and a Hart Trophy.
But despite a glowing career with Detroit that also included 408 goals and two Selke trophies as the league's best defensive forward, only now is Fedorov considered the brightest star on his own team.
The speedy 33-year-old centre returns to Detroit on Wednesday for his first visit since signing a $40 million US deal to join the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
After a slow start, Fedorov has adjusted to his new team's system and has displayed his hallmark slapshot and graceful skating.
Entering Tuesday's game at Columbus, Fedorov had eight goals and 20 points.
``It probably will be overwhelming, so I'm probably going to have to calm myself down a bit before the game,'' Fedorov said. ``There will be certain pressures, but I'll try not to lose my head and get caught up in all that other stuff besides hockey because I'll have to perform on the ice.''
Dominik Hasek, the Red Wings' future Hall of Fame goalie, knows Fedorov's situation. After spending his entire career in Buffalo, he went to Detroit in July 2001. His first trip back to Buffalo in a Wings jersey was a tough one.
``It's emotional. You don't know what to expect. You don't know if the crowd will cheer you or boo. I remember in Buffalo ... you sort of feel uncomfortable,'' Hasek said. ``Anyway, he doesn't have a Red Wings jersey anymore, and we have to do our best to cover him and make sure he doesn't score any goals.''
Curtis Joseph, the other veteran goalie who spent time with St. Louis, Edmonton and Toronto before coming to the Red Wings, said the return is an ``anxious time.''
``It's really a hard thing to do,'' Joseph said. ``He's going to want to play really well. He's going to want to have a hat trick. That's his mindset.''
Hasek said Fedorov has the best slapshot he's ever seen.
``He played against me in the Czech Republic. He was 18, and I was probably 22 or 23. He was a rookie on that team and he scored a couple goals, and I knew he was going to be a great player,'' Hasek said.
After early-season struggles in scoring goals, Kris Draper (10), Brendan Shanahan (8), Brett Hull (12) and Steve Yzerman (10) have filled the gaps. The Red Wings sit atop the Central Division with a 14-9-2 record.
Fedorov plays for last season's Stanley Cup runner-up as the lead offensive weapon. The Ducks were 8-4-7 and in third in the Pacific Division entering Tuesday night.
``I signed with Anaheim, which was a strong contender, and I said many times that they were the only strong contender that wants my services. That was the bottom line, I guess,'' he said. ``It was a business decision. It was nothing against people or fans or management in Detroit. Sometimes, things just don't work out in the end.''
Despite his brilliant play, Fedorov had a hard time taking the superstar mantle in Detroit. Steve Yzerman has always - and continues to hold - Detroit fans' highest esteem.
And just when Fedorov was coming into his own in the early 1990s, winning the Hart Trophy for the 1993-1994 season, the Red Wings added several other Russian players to form the Russian Five.
Then Fedorov became just one of the ``'ovs,'' who included, Igor Larionov - a Russian legend - Vladimir Konstantinov, Viacheslav Fetisov and Slava Kozlov.
But with the Russians and coach Scotty Bowman, Fedorov was happy. In fact, he said those are his fondest memories of Detroit.
``Definitely the coaches - Scott and Bryan (Murray, now the Ducks' general manager), and the Russian Five,'' Fedorov said. ``That was the most memorable time, hockey-wise, playing with the Russian guys.''
Fedorov is talking about a time that ended five years ago. Slowly the rest of the Russian Five either retired, were traded, or in Konstantinov's case, left the team because of a career-ending limousine accident.
Then, Bowman left after the 2000-2001 Stanley Cup season, leaving Fedorov on the Red Wings without the people he most cherished.
So Fedorov returns to Detroit on another team.
``I hope fans and those who love the hockey game remember those glorious days when we won some Cups and the Russian Five played and Scotty Bowman and Dave Lewis - all those glory days.''
detroit has the most to lose at this game they are hungry to gain back their pride after last years playoff knockout and to get revenge agansist fedorov
o he will hear cheers alrite they just won't be for him...
i dont know what player who has been with a team for so long and leave with a team on such a sour note like sergei did and still have the support of the fans
gah...stupid TSN...Detroit will win for sure...their talent is uncomparable to the ducks....
but what if luck is on ducks side again? :P
i could base my prediction on luck but then i'd just flip a coin...i'm basing it on talent...usually the team with more talent will win. but giggy may play really good and they may get lucky bounces....but i'm still going Detroit.
Dec 03: Anaheim at Detroit
Dec 03: Anaheim at Detroit
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