Sergei Fedorov defected from what was then the USSR in 1990 to join the Detroit Red Wings. He is the all-time highest scoring Russian player with 483 goals and 1179 points. He won the Hart Trophy, Pearson, and Selke awards in one season, another Selke, and owns 3 Stanley Cup rings. In his prime he was one of the fastest skaters in the game, exploding from end to end.

After 13 years with Detroit, Fedorov has spent time in Anaheim, Columbus, and most recently Washington. Now, with his future status with the Capitals in question, there are reports that he may return to his homeland to sign with the KHL’s Magnitogorsk team with play with his brother Fedor.

Via TSN:

It appears Sergei Fedorov is ready to leave the Washington Capitals and play in the Kontinental Hockey League next season.

Citing sources in Russia, RDS.ca is reporting that Fedorov is about to agree to a two-year deal with Russia’s Metallurg Magnitogorsk.

The report indicates the two-year contract will see Fedorov collect $3.8 million per season.

Craig Custance of Sporting News has a great blog post on how European (specifically Russian) superstars reaching their twilight years leaving for the KHL will affect the NHL and the younger players coming in. Jagr left to play in the KHL at the start of this season and Richard Zednik has just signed, and now there are recent reports of Fedorov and Viktor Kozlov also planning to sign with KHL teams. Custance has a well-put quote from Detroit netminder Chris Osgood, who played with Russians Fedorov, Igor Larionov, Slava Fetisov, Slava Kozlov and Vladimir Konstantinov.

“To lose those guys is huge. We have to figure out a way to keep guys like Sergei and Jagr and those great older veteran players, have them over here and find roles for them,” Osgood said. “I think it’s important to have older guys like that, that younger European players can look up to when they get over here and understand how to handle themselves on and off the ice. That’s what guys like Igor Larionov did for him.”

Fedorov played that role to perfection in Washington where he was a great veteran influence on players like Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin. When we spoke to him during the Pittsburgh series, he really seemed to enjoy the role and was energized by it. Fedorov can still play, and I’m with Osgood. It’d be too bad if we don’t get to see it.

And Detroit benchmaster Mike Babcock, who coached Fedorov in Anaheim, was also asked about the report in his off-day presser:

Sergei has had a great career. I still think he can play in the league. I think he can play in the league here as a defenseman for sure.

For Fedorov in particular, this is an interesting possibility. Scotty Bowman often threw Fedorov on defense back during the days of the Russian Five, and while he did so begrudgingly, he did it well. Bruce Boudreau also had Fedorov play on the blueline a few times during this season with the Washington Capitals. And while he is not as quick as he used to be and doesn’t quite have the old scoring touch, he would be very valuable on certain teams as a puck moving defenseman. He would still be able to provide his veteran experience and personality to the dressing room without feeling pressured to score goals.

I agree with Custance and Osgood that it would be a tremendous loss for the league if Fedorov left for the KHL. He was a big part of the movement of Russian players to the NHL, which has opened doors for younger players like Ovechkin, Malkin, and Semin. It would be a shame if he returned to play in Russia for more money.

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