Retire91
Stevey Y you our Guy
- May 31, 2010
- 6,174
- 1,598
I think Fedorov gets widely misunderstood because the offer sheet and his UFA departure cloud up people's feelings. Fedorov was part of the community I got to meet him several times and he was always courteous and generous and never gave me that don't bother me vibe.
The other perception about his "lazyness" or lack of care I think came from two sources. One the largely perpetuated stereotype at the time that you can't win with Russians. And the simple fact that he was so good at the game he made it look effortless. Fedorov lost his skate edge a lot and went into the boards hard and if you search your memory you'll recall many times the long pause he had on the ice after sliding into the boards at his speed. There were many games it wasn't worth going full tilt. But you know what in the playoffs he left nothing on the ice and he has the resume of one of the best playoff performers in NHL history.
He is the first red wing to win the hart since gordie howe. They awarded him the best player on the planet award and he deserved it. The things Yzerman Lidstrom have on him is the career longjevity, and the world class leadership. Fedorov never had to lead the team, in Russia those slots were taken, here we had Yzerman. Fedorov was the run and gun he didn't need to hold the lockerroom together. We are talking about a team that had the leadership spot filled Larianov, Fetisov, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Chelios... He didn't need to be a leader and I think he would have been if called upon.
I can understand people's feelings on this. In many ways its my main understanding of why he is not retired, if so many fans feel the way they do then its gray area. A jersey retirement is a celebration of the fans as much as the player. I wouldn't want people to be steadfast against it. That is not the point of retirement IMO. My favorite players number is retired in my mind and that is good enough for me.
The other perception about his "lazyness" or lack of care I think came from two sources. One the largely perpetuated stereotype at the time that you can't win with Russians. And the simple fact that he was so good at the game he made it look effortless. Fedorov lost his skate edge a lot and went into the boards hard and if you search your memory you'll recall many times the long pause he had on the ice after sliding into the boards at his speed. There were many games it wasn't worth going full tilt. But you know what in the playoffs he left nothing on the ice and he has the resume of one of the best playoff performers in NHL history.
He is the first red wing to win the hart since gordie howe. They awarded him the best player on the planet award and he deserved it. The things Yzerman Lidstrom have on him is the career longjevity, and the world class leadership. Fedorov never had to lead the team, in Russia those slots were taken, here we had Yzerman. Fedorov was the run and gun he didn't need to hold the lockerroom together. We are talking about a team that had the leadership spot filled Larianov, Fetisov, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Chelios... He didn't need to be a leader and I think he would have been if called upon.
I can understand people's feelings on this. In many ways its my main understanding of why he is not retired, if so many fans feel the way they do then its gray area. A jersey retirement is a celebration of the fans as much as the player. I wouldn't want people to be steadfast against it. That is not the point of retirement IMO. My favorite players number is retired in my mind and that is good enough for me.
Fedorov Gives Salary to Charity
DETROIT (AP) _ Detroit Red Wings star Sergei Fedorov is contributing his entire $2 million salary for 1998-99 to a new charity that will help area children.
apnews.com
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