Sergei Fedorov

[stu the grim reaper]

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

 

[Hadoop]

Fedorov could skate like the wind (he won the fastest skater competition at 13.525 s from a standing start in 1994, so faster than McDavid this year), had a cannon for a slapshot (he won the hardest shot competition in 2001 with a 101.5 mph slapshot), and had a sixth sense of what to do/where to go with or without the puck to go along with his considerable physical talent. Though his effort level fluctuated during the regular season at times throughout his career (which is by far the biggest criticism of his game) and his level dropped off after 2003, when he was in the mood he could take over a game like nobody's business and he always brought it in the playoffs (he is 15th all time in career playoff points).

 

[Dexter Colt]

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.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

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?

 

[Brodie]

Sergei gets held to standards no other player ever would. If he had played a decade earlier, he would have had a Gretzky-esque career trajectory.

 

[Syckle78]

Is being a top 50 player in the history of the game not incredible?

Sure,but he could of been more. Don't really care though. He was all time in the playoffs and helped bring three cups. That matters so much more than pedestrian regular seasons and all time lists.

 

[Dexter Colt]

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.

 

[Retire91]

Meh, I don't understand the importance of the narrative that he was somehow a lazy player that phoned it in. It was kinda the same stigma that Franzen dealt with a lot too. Not every player has an inexhaustible motor and has to leave it all on the ice like a 4th liner or be sent down. He was 100% when it mattered and that is all that matters.

Fedorov also had a effortless glide to his skating style. He barely looked like he was pumping the tires but would still blow by people full speed and rip an open shot. I think some of it came from how effortlessly he skated as well. Ovechkin looks like he panics like a madman when he gets the puck, Fedorov took the puck in like another day at the office but was just as effective with the same result.

 

[njx9]

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.

 

[Geki]

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'.

 

[Henkka]

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...

Yep. I've always compared Erik Karlsson to Fedorov as a defenceman. Bad at net-front battles but dominates in posession.

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.

Agree with this too. With certain players, I've forgiven every single regular season off-night, if a player steps up at the playoff-time. And Sergei did that always. Playoff-effort only really matters in big picture for me personally.

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'.

He played like modern and last generation Sovjet center was systematically developed to play.

They did it first, and whole NHL copied that later, because Bowman was enough smart to notice first, that this is the most winning way to use Centers. He pushed Yzerman in the same mold what Fedorov was.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

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.

 

[stu the grim reaper]

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.

if fedorov had the will of yzerman, he would be Crosby, and you would hate him for being so unrelatable

 

[Frk It]

Holland: Wings Need To Discuss Retiring Fedorov’s Jersey

Duh.

 

[Retire91]

Need some votes for Fedorov People voting based on "what have you done for me lately"

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2355983

Holland: Wings Need To Discuss Retiring Fedorov’s Jersey

Duh.

Its past due but timing wise it would be an amazing way to open the new building.

 

[Konnan511]

Holland: Wings Need To Discuss Retiring Fedorov�s Jersey

Duh.

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.

Of the 7 retired numbers, only 3 played for the Wings their entire career (19,05, and 10.)

 

[Wings4Life]

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?

He was better than Yzerman, but lacked the longevity.

Top 5 player from 1993-1997.

He was never quite as dominant after his 1997-98 holdout season. I feel like he missed out on some hardware due to sitting out that season. Could have won another Selke or Conn smythe that year if he still had his pre-holdout timing and sharpness.

Also could have had a greater career if he left Detroit in his prime. Playing for Bowman's defensive system/team, where he regularly either played 17mins a night or dressed as a Dman held him back while guys like Bure were playing 28 minutes a night. It's no surprise that Fedorov's best season came when Yzerman was out and he received his just due in icetime.

 

[Wings4Life]

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.

He wasn't going to get that chacne playing under Bowman. He was getting 17 minutes a night in the 97 season, despite being Detroit's top scoring C three years in a row. And when Holland traded for Shanahan that season |(who was a top 10 forward at that time), Bowman wanted to spread the offence and put Shanahan with Yzerman instead of Fedorov (despite breaking up the Russian 5 as well).

If he went to Philly and got to play with Lclaire or to Vancouver to play with Mogilny/Bure he would have won a lot more personal hardware, but it is what it is.

 

[vladdy16]

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.

 

[stu the grim reaper]

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.

this is all extremely true. all the Russians of his generation had a complicated relationship with their country of origin, and we should laud them for even making the journey to the NHL