stu the grim reaper
Registered User
- Jul 3, 2002
- 1,281
- 8
I think the hit you guys are talking about was against the Wild. ISTR he got a short suspension for it.
glad im not the only one who remembers
I think the hit you guys are talking about was against the Wild. ISTR he got a short suspension for it.
He was the best player of his time whenever he wanted to. In terms of raw talent, I'd say he's the greatest Red Wing of all time. The only knock on him was his motivation. One of the Red Wings' assistant coaches - I can't remember who anymore - in the late 90's said it best; something along the lines of "he is an important player when you make him feel like an important player."
To put it into perspective, he had all the tools Peter Forsberg had and arguably then some. Only maybe a bit behind in terms of playmaking. If he had had similar drive, he would have been incredible.
Is being a top 50 player in the history of the game not incredible?
He always had the what if-factor. With his skill set and consistent effort, he would have been other worldly. Or maybe gassed come playoff time, where he was money. But he always left you wondering.Is being a top 50 player in the history of the game not incredible?
Remember when Bowman put him back on D for a stretch? He was actually a very good D man too. He played D the entire bloody Sunday game, and had a goal. Imagine putting your all-world scoring forward at D in today's game...
As someone who watched almost every game he played with the wings, it's hard to not criticize him for effort at times. There were nights you could just flat out see his head was not in the game. It's a long season, and he had a bit of primadonna going on at times which contributed. But when he was into it, he could flat out control a game.
Having said all that, he's easily one of the best forwards I've seen play. Honestly (and I'm old) he's one of the first players I remember being referred to as a '2 way player'.
I think it was exactly like Franzen - not lazy, and probably floated less than you'd think. And you're right that he'd flip the switch when it mattered, for the most part. But at the same time, when a guy is that physically talented, it's hard to not wonder 'what if', with regards to his motor and desire.
I dunno. He was already a great player, and one of the greatest I've ever seen. But I can't help but think that if he'd really, really wanted to be the best player, he probably could have been. He just wasn't wired for that. And that doesn't take away at all from what he was, or what he accomplished.
I think that gets to the heart of it. Overall I think Fedorov got more grief than he deserved for taking nights off. But as a fan you couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if Fedorov had the same will to win as Yzerman.
Of the 7 retired numbers, only 3 played for the Wings their entire career (19,05, and 10.)The complicating factor in regard to Fedorov’s legacy is that he didn’t spend his entire career with the Wings. He signed with the Ducks after the 2002-03 season and played out his time in the NHL with the Blue Jackets and the Capitals. He also inked an offer sheet with the Hurricanes in 1997 and missed a large chunk of the ensuing season until Detroit matched the offer.
I am too young to have seen him play. What type of impact did he have on the ice?
Was he better than Yzerman?
Would he be a top-player in todays NHL if in prime?
I dunno. He was already a great player, and one of the greatest I've ever seen. But I can't help but think that if he'd really, really wanted to be the best player, he probably could have been. He just wasn't wired for that. And that doesn't take away at all from what he was, or what he accomplished.
I think that gets to the heart of it. Overall I think Fedorov got more grief than he deserved for taking nights off. But as a fan you couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if Fedorov had the same will to win as Yzerman.
I feel like that's the point though. Fedorov had his own unique set of circumstances that he was dealing with. If you put Yzerman's fire on top of that the guy'd be dead or in jail.
My impression of 'what Sergei got out of what he had'(as if he wasn't the one that put the effort into building his physique and skill set) is the opposite of the consensus.
I marvel at the fact that he was as successful as he was, based on his background, personality and the circumstance he was in and the expectations placed on him. He should absolutely be commended for his commitment and resilience not questioned on it.