Detroit guy here. Most dynamic, explosive skater I’ve ever seen- even faster watching him in person. Wings need to put all internal politics aside and put his number in the rafters.
I think it will do eventually. Mr I is no longer with us and time is a great healer. And as it turns out, losing an aging Feds with an anchor of a contract when we had Z & Dats coming through turned out to be not such a bad thing.
Born in Detroit. My team the wings of course. But huge islanders fan. Bossy and the boys top best team all time. They played more playoff s in them years then anyone, they’d where beasts. Scored many of goals myself from bossy wrist shot !!! Quick aquirate wrist shot. Amazing
Federov was just... as a Blues fan, it seemed like we could never shut down Yzerman and Federov in the same night. And it usually seemed like Federov got us. It was so frustrating, but looking back on it now I’m honored to have watched the way he played. The guy was maybe a slight notch behind Jagr in terms of the puck skills, but seemed to have the wisdom of Yzerman to see open players or slide into a passing lane that was about to open up for an easy goal. I’m not sure if we’ll ever see another one like him, again. Oh, and I hear his mother wears red army boots.
"I’m honored to have watched the way he played"- Thats how I feel. I was just a kid but boy do I miss watching this guy play. I still catch myself watching his highlights on YT. There was/is nothing like him. The perfect 1C! BTW-I still remember that epic game 7 OT. I was too nervous to watch. I remember turning off the TV many times lol I couldn't bear it. That Jon Casey goalie, idk what ever happened to him but he was a brick wall. Couldn't believe the way it ended, off the stick of Gretsky and to the stick of Stevie, but couldn't happen to a better guy(Stevie Y).
Fedorov is still one of the greatest players I've ever seen play the game of hockey, and I may also be a little biased because he is my favorite player ever, and the reason why I was a Detroit fan up until we ended up getting a team here in Columbus. Having him here in Columbus was awesome even though he wasn't the offensive powerhouse of the past. He still scored big goals for us, and you never had to worry about him defensively which was a lot of help considering how talent starved the team was back then. The fact that he also played a lot of D during that last playoff run with the Caps was also quite impressive at his older age.
He was a franchise player. A generational talent. You can even say he changed the way hockey was played(possession game). You can even say he put hockey on the map commercially. His contract with Nike put his face everywhere. His skates where the hottest thing in hockey., everybody wanted a pair. At the end of the day this is how I always think of Federov: if someone gave you a machine to create your perfect 1c it would look just like Federov. An identical copy. He is literally the prefect 1C. Damn shame how he left Detroit. Had he stayed he would have been the most popular athlete in Detroit today(yes bigger than Stevie). Just an all-world type of guy. Amen.
I'm a fifth grade teacher and every year on December 13 a fourth grade teacher at my school does a Taylor Swift birthday celebration...I always sneak into her room and write on her white board in large print: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SERGEI FEDOROV!
IDK about the underrated part(maybe in todays sense). He was the face of hockey in his day, not to mention arguably the best player in the world. Historic contract with Nike. You couldn't go to any sporting store without his face being plastered on walls. He was no doubt the most marketable player in NHL. Dude was just an all-world guy.
Yeah I have to agree lol ... I was a massive Fedorov fan.. only Stevie was higher and it was actually close for a min .. grew up a huge Wings fan . But he for sure was THE guy for a little while for the NHL . Rightfully so too because he was unreal for a few seasons and world class all but the last bit of his career . Idc what anyone says though he’s still one of the most purely gifted hockey players we are likely to see all the way around .
Ovie actually said that Fedorov was the one player who influenced him the most and he called him the best center to play alongside him. Such a high praise from one of the brightest NHL stars says a lot. The best defensive star-caliber center to me and red wings better retire his number as soon as possible
@@vmi4172 yeah, that’s true. However you have to be somewhat really great to inspire so many hockey players. And boy, Feds was. Ovie’s words just prove it
@@abrahamlincoln9758 he left for LESS money. Detroit offered him more money but he wanted to see if he could be a number one center so took less money with Anaheim.
@@aeronitz not how it was my dude. he wanted to consider other options Anaheim proposed a lot of money but he went back to Detroit and said that he will take less to stay with the team but I was offended so he pulled his contract and Sergei had no other option but to leave
That 93-94 year Stevie missed about 25-30 games so Fedorov just took over. 120 pts a Hart, Pearson, and a Selke, man he was a monster that year. Also to note that 97 98 year Fedorov sat out due to a contract dispute.
It's one thing non-Wings fans never realise about Fedorov (or any of the Wings stars from that era) when they say he didn't put up huge point totals apart from that one year. The Wings were a deep team, with lots of talent, they rolled 4 lines, and everyone was expected to play a defence first style. For all their talent, there were very few 50 goal or 100 point seasons on the Wings in that era. There were a lot of deep playoff runs though.
They say thats why he eventually left Detroit. He wanted the C on his chest. He wanted to lead his own team. He felt like he wasn't getting the credit he deserved. Basically a Malik situation. Malkin too said he thought about leaving because of those reasons. Luckily for his legacy he stayed. Unfortunately for federal he chose to leave and its been a big hit on his legacy.
That was an enormous deal. Fedorov ended up signing an offer sheet from Carolina that had a clause in it that paid Fedorov either $12 million or $14 million if his team made the conference final (one was the signing bonus and the other was this special bonus - don't remember which was which). There was no way Carolina was going to make the conference final, but it was extremely likely that Detroit would, so it was quite a creative way get try to get Detroit not to match (Fedorov was an RFA). And it was quite controversial. For that 1997-98 season, Fedorov ended up making $28 million for those 21 games (signing bonux, salary, conference final bonus). Also made it not so surprising that he left as a UFA later on.
@@WhatAboutAmeobi There was also added spice because the owner of the Canes (Karmanos?) had an ongoing beef with Mike Ilitch, over some millionaires feud.
I remember rightat the end of career he played a charity football ( soccer) match called soccer aid over here in the uk. He could of been a football ( soccer) player as he was very skillful and his positional sense is second to none. he also played the whole 90 min match . he is a very accomplished athlete. Football ( soccer ) is very popular in Russia. we were lucky he chose Hockey.
He wasn't actually injured during the 97-98 season. He was a restricted free agent and was holding out. From Wikipedia: "After a lengthy holdout to start the 1997-98 season, Fedorov, a restricted free agent, signed an offer sheet with the Carolina Hurricanes worth up to $38 million, including bonuses. The Red Wings matched the offer on February 26, 1998, ending Fedorov's holdout. The offer included $14 million for signing and $2 million for 21 regular season games. However, the most controversial part of the contract was a $12 million bonus payable immediately if Fedorov's team reached the 1998 conference finals-at the time, Detroit was already a Stanley Cup contender while Carolina was almost certain to miss the playoffs, so the clause was criticized for creating an unfair disadvantage for Detroit. Nevertheless, the Red Wings matched the offer and paid the bonus. The $28 million Detroit paid Fedorov for 43 total games in 1997-98 remains the largest single season amount paid to an NHL player"
yep, I remember that year. I was fine with him holding out as he was worth any amount they gave him and as long as he was back in time for the playoffs.
@@edalder2000 like Fedorov idolized Larionov. They were ground breaking athletes! Literally had to ESCAPE the USSR to play Hockey. The "European" invasion of the late 80's/early 90's was incredible as a fan. So much damn talent and different playing styles!!!
Fedorov made me fall in love with hockey. As a Dane, my only real exposure to the sport was through films like Mighty Ducks and video games. Then came the '98 Olympics and Fedorov completely dazzled me. He even cemented my Caps fandom forever when McPhee traded for him.
Great video, I thought you surely already made one. Thinking about Fedorov takes me back, good times. Getting Selke while having 56 goals and 120 points says a lot. Fedorov had absolutely one of the best hockey performances ever there in 94. Ovechkin will be remembered as the best NHL Russian looking at body of work, but for the best single seasons Fedorov has my vote. To quote Barry Melrose, he was the best player in the world for a couple of years.
Thank you making this video about my best player ever. 3 cups and trophies don't lie. He was exciting and very dangerous on Ice always - and pretty damn fast.
Thanks THG, one of my all time favorite players. remarkable, despite, some less successful years later on still managed to be over a .75 ppg average over his career, I have to be honest I had completely forgotten about Columbus..
Tampa won back to back just after having the best record in history just like the red wings. For the second cup Tampa didn’t have kucherov for the season but came back for the playoffs just like the wings with fedorov(play very little games). Also they were both Russians and yzerman had something to do with both teams. Crazy parallels
@@mattiaspersson381 Not only of his generation, of all time. He could do anything at any position, he was the ultimate hockey package which no one will ever come even close to. Skating, stickhandling, passing, shooting, attacking, defending, vision, hockey sense...absolutely fantastic
@@Briblistaloz yes I agree. His 93-94 season will never be matched in terms of completeness. 2nd in scoring after Gretzky, 2nd in +/-, hart trophy, selke trophy, lester b Pearson trophy, fastest skater and more. Real shame he faded away in Anaheim and Columbus. Otherwise he’d be a legend in the whole league.
@@mattiaspersson381 Exactly, he was playing like someone from a different planet that season. Should have stayed in Detroit, win his 4th Cup in 2008 and retire as a Red Wing, he would have surely had his number retired by now.
@@Briblistaloz It seems like it was Detroit's fault. I've read that they mistreated him from the time he got to the U.S. and tried to screw him multiple times with contracts. When he looked for options and told the Wings that Anaheim made an offer, they took back their offer because they were offended haha. So, he had to leave.
Have you done a Scott Stevens career video? That would be a good one. Especially with that controversial move to New Jersey and then his shift from one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL and a really good defensive guy to the best defensive defenseman and hitter in the league under Jacques Lemaire and the trap.
The most complete player I have ever seen! Guy could probably play goal too if asked. He was a joy to the eyes and to anyone who loves hockey. He flew, in that beautiful style that Coffey, Bure, Orr seemed to have. He could defend, shoot, quarterback, kill, hit, just amazing! One of the great talents for those lucky enough to witness him live.
Thanks for putting this together Shannon. Hope you and the family had a wonderful Christmas! I enjoyed the heck out of Federov during his time in Detroit, never sat right with me how things were left between the team and the player. I hope with Steve Yzerman in charge they can patch thing up and put 91 in the rafters.
@@vmi4172 my only experience with "Breaking News" at the time was when we invaded Panama so I thought we were going to war. Nope just Federov getting off a plane in Texas, Dallas I think. I can remember thinking "he must be good for it to be breaking news"
Playoffs 1996 Sergei did play a few shifts paired with other D-men on the blue line. I remember the commentators talking about his unique ability to do...well, anything but mind the net
Most physically gifted player I'd ever seen. My favorite player then. He had the 1st goal on a breakaway against the Hawks back in 02 and I just couldn't believe how fast he was up the ice. Put 91 in the rafters, he definitely deserves it!
Fedorov is one of the best players of all time hands down. When players like Gretzky and Lemieux say he is the hardest player they've ever played against...you have to take it at face value. You cannot rank a player based solely on his point totals and for a guy like Fedorov, he was an all-around player, and by choice. He easily could have totaled over 120 points a year if he chose to. One of the reasons I've always respected him as a player is for that very reason. He knew where he fit best and would help his team the most. Yzerman and Shanny were there to get the goals, Fedorov could have played either of those players roles and filled the position as good or better in some cases. What I respect him for the most though...and this is never mentioned...he knew when it was time to retire and didn't stick around too long looking for some further records or glories. Look at his goal total....for me, he will always be the first Russian player to hit 500 goals, as he could have easily stuck around another season and potted the 17 he needed and then retired. Sorry Ovi, no disrespect, you are amazing, but this guy was first in my book. I won't mention Kovalchuk being 2nd too either...🤔😅
I'm an Yzerman and a Lidström guy when it comes to the Red Wings, but Fedorov is right up there as well. He was big when hockey cards were all the rave of our middle school recesses, and by extension, big with us. Still have my hockey cards, and still regularly pick Detroit when I'm playing NHLPA 93 or NHL 94.
Probably one of the most complete player to ever play the game. One of the premiere 2-way centres.... was runner up to the Art Ross to Gretzky and running up for the now-Rocket Richard to Pavel Bure.... was even able to play as a defenseman for a little bit too.
I was too young when Fedorov was in Detroit because I was born in 98 but I did get to see him play with Columbus and Washington, I didn't get to see him win any cups because by that point he already had three but I'm glad that I got to see him play because he's an absolute Legend.
Funny I'm back here because I'm looking at his young guns haha love that you're a card collector too Shannon. Great video. Hope the meetup went well today.
He was a defenseman for an entire season and won the Cup with the Wings..played defenseman part-time with my team the Capitals...unheard of.. incredible athlete...one of the greatest players of all time.
They actually trained together in LA. Remember the lockout of 94 when the Gretzky all stars played the Detroit Vipers and lost (the Detroit members didn't play lol).
@@DR.DisInfect he was a beast. He had that stout foot spread/stance and that low center of gravity that made it difficult to knock off his game. It's a shame he got hurt and had no longevity.
@@mikel724 he said that skating on the outside of his foot like that was to his own detriment, his foot didn't fit in the skate no matter how hard he tied it, extremely weird injury.
Was a huge Fedorov fan as a kid. He could do it all and was so smooth. It was disappointing though how rapidly he declined in the last third of his career post Red Wings.
I was a child, watching the Sharks play in the early 90s, and every time we played the wings you could bet that Fedorov was tearing us up. every. time.
To me, the best all-round player of the 90's, and as a Wings fan I was glad he was never the same after he left Detroit for Anaheim, he lost out on at least 1 more Stanley Cup.
Federov, Bure and Mogliny were such a treat to watch when they came into the league. My oilers were so depressing to watch over a long part of that span. When we made it into the playoffs I was 100% go oil go, but when we were not looking good I was 100% eyeing those 3 guys.
@@vmi4172 Part of it came from the fact that they were so well conditioned and were the elites from a totally different hockey system. That plus they were familiar with how the west played hockey. They had a huge advantage at the time.
@@thaddcorbett2148 It's just the skill in general. Guys like Federov, Bure, Jagr, Moginly, Selanne..talking all-world skill that few guys in the history of hockey can match.
Peter Karmanos offer sheeted Federov to stick it to Mike Illitch after Illitch kicked Karmanos' junior club out of the Joe. As a Whalers fan, it was crazy to think that there was even a sliver of a chance we might get Federov.
If my memory serves me correctly, wasn’t Federov out most of 97-98 due to a contract dispute? This was his Anna Kornakova period where he was looking to play in a bigger market but only Illitch was up to paying him more than top dollar.
I remember the 98' run they dedicated to Vladdy! I was a big fan of Red Wings and a big fan of Vladdy. I thought he would win a Norris or even two had he not been in an accident. I check up on his progress from time to time and good news is he can walk by himself and even goes on the ice at the Arena- when he attends games which he still frequently does... I held hope he would return and people thought i was crazy. But now he's mobile and even goes on ice... So deep down in my heart i still hold hope that he will return in Red Wing uniform to play one more time with the boys... If not just for a preseason game... With his constant improvement and miracle recovery he's already done- docs didn't think he'd be able to talk again and walk and now he does both in spaces! And if he keeps improving one day i know he will don the uniform and skate as a Red Wing again!!! Much Love to Vladdy from the East Coast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He was an elite scorer with horse legs who just happened to be one of if not the best defensive forwards to ever play. His versatility is probably unmatched.
Bowman had the Knack to make scorers play def. Easier to do with the track record of Bowman then maybe another coach could but winning changes players minds about things.
I've been collecting hockey cards for players on weird teams, and my CBJ Fedorov card does look really, really odd. Even though he played for them longer than Anaheim or Washington.
Bondra definitely deserves to have his jersey retired by the Caps at some point as an avid Caps fan its ridiculous that neither his #12 or Kolzig's #37 are hanging from the rafters.
'99 Red Wings had a loaded team as well - Yzerman, Shanahan, Clark, Kozlov, Fedorov, Samuelsson, Chelios, Lidstrom, Murphy, Larionov, Osgood, with Ranford as a back up.
Federov wasn't injured in 97-98. He was holding out. Carolina gave him an offer where if the team he signed for made the Conference FInals Federov would get an immediate 12 million dollar bonus. Quite the poison pill by Carolina since they were not going to the Conference Finals but Detroit matched it.
He was so frustrating for Wings fans. We all knew he could dominate and expected two 50-goal, 100-point scorers, but Sergei would coast so many nights. He finally scores 56 goals and wins the Selke, but they lose in the first round. He only scores 30 goals, but five were in one game. Then in the playoffs he becomes the first to score 20 points four seasons in a row. Then in 97. he holds out for most of the season, Carolina offers him that $20 mil, Detroit matches, so he makes about a mil a game that season. But they probably weren't winning that second Cup without him, and Sergei knew it. I love him, but man was he exhausting. When he went to Anaheim, a lot of fans were kinda relieved.
The contract dispute in 97-98 isthe reason his number may never be retired by the wings while the illitch's own the wings and it cemented the rivalry between peter karmansos and carolina signed federov to an offer sheet and detriot matched it. That is while in 2002 the cup was very special to the wings.
The season of '98 Fedorov had major contract disputes that prevented him from playing most of those games. I'm not sure that he was injured all that time that year. He came back as a rockstar
I didn't remember that he played for the ducks or capitals at first. However, I do remember Columbus played I had a NHL game where i created myself as a RW, Federov as C and Rick Nash as LW.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Detroit guy here. Most dynamic, explosive skater I’ve ever seen- even faster watching him in person. Wings need to put all internal politics aside and put his number in the rafters.
He was a dominant player. He dominated every shift. Criminally underrated, in my opinion.
The fact that #91 isn't hanging in the rafters of Little Caesars Arena is a travesty.
I don't think it will get retired either. Apparently the way he left Detroit left a sour taste in managements mouth.
Yeah, unfortunately too much drama with upper management. Damn shame.
His stats don't seem to live up to the absolute pop culture phenom that he was, but have to remember it was the Dead Puck Era
Things are getting Better on that front though
I think it will do eventually. Mr I is no longer with us and time is a great healer. And as it turns out, losing an aging Feds with an anchor of a contract when we had Z & Dats coming through turned out to be not such a bad thing.
So underrated, he was a beast.
He was the reason I as a young kid became a Red Wings fan growing up in Sweden
Me too! I may have been the only Red Wings fan in New York lol but Federov is why I fall in love with the Wings.
I would argue he was the best two way player to have ever played the game. He was so good as a defensemen that he could have won a Norris or two.
I always say if you can create the perfect 1C in your head he would come out looking just like Federov.
Played golf with him once here in Moscow, a great guy all round, and an absolute beast of a hockey player. Not too bad at golf either..
He's really good at tennis too...
Miss Kournikova's tennis training is a proven winner 👍
@Tim Gressler you’re mom was good at opening her legs too 😃
Said the Milk Man
Legend. One of the all time greats. My all time favorite non-Islander.
Born in Detroit. My team the wings of course. But huge islanders fan. Bossy and the boys top best team all time. They played more playoff s in them years then anyone, they’d where beasts. Scored many of goals myself from bossy wrist shot !!! Quick aquirate wrist shot. Amazing
Federov was just... as a Blues fan, it seemed like we could never shut down Yzerman and Federov in the same night. And it usually seemed like Federov got us. It was so frustrating, but looking back on it now I’m honored to have watched the way he played. The guy was maybe a slight notch behind Jagr in terms of the puck skills, but seemed to have the wisdom of Yzerman to see open players or slide into a passing lane that was about to open up for an easy goal. I’m not sure if we’ll ever see another one like him, again. Oh, and I hear his mother wears red army boots.
"I’m honored to have watched the way he played"- Thats how I feel. I was just a kid but boy do I miss watching this guy play. I still catch myself watching his highlights on YT. There was/is nothing like him. The perfect 1C!
BTW-I still remember that epic game 7 OT. I was too nervous to watch. I remember turning off the TV many times lol I couldn't bear it. That Jon Casey goalie, idk what ever happened to him but he was a brick wall. Couldn't believe the way it ended, off the stick of Gretsky and to the stick of Stevie, but couldn't happen to a better guy(Stevie Y).
He was such an exciting player to watch. Every time he stepped on the ice.
One of my favorite players of all time; one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Thanks for making this, Shannon!
My favorite player, athlete, ever. Love him. So underappreciated.
Fedorov is still one of the greatest players I've ever seen play the game of hockey, and I may also be a little biased because he is my favorite player ever, and the reason why I was a Detroit fan up until we ended up getting a team here in Columbus. Having him here in Columbus was awesome even though he wasn't the offensive powerhouse of the past. He still scored big goals for us, and you never had to worry about him defensively which was a lot of help considering how talent starved the team was back then. The fact that he also played a lot of D during that last playoff run with the Caps was also quite impressive at his older age.
Thank you so much for making a video about my favorite player
@@DR.DisInfect my 1st jersey I got customized was his. He got me into hockey love 91
He was a franchise player. A generational talent. You can even say he changed the way hockey was played(possession game). You can even say he put hockey on the map commercially. His contract with Nike put his face everywhere. His skates where the hottest thing in hockey., everybody wanted a pair. At the end of the day this is how I always think of Federov: if someone gave you a machine to create your perfect 1c it would look just like Federov. An identical copy. He is literally the prefect 1C. Damn shame how he left Detroit. Had he stayed he would have been the most popular athlete in Detroit today(yes bigger than Stevie). Just an all-world type of guy. Amen.
Really helped to break down the door for Russian hockey players in the NHL.
I'm a fifth grade teacher and every year on December 13 a fourth grade teacher at my school does a Taylor Swift birthday celebration...I always sneak into her room and write on her white board in large print: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SERGEI FEDOROV!
Underrated, and underappreciated Russian legend of a hockey player that is Sergei Fedorov.
IDK about the underrated part(maybe in todays sense). He was the face of hockey in his day, not to mention arguably the best player in the world. Historic contract with Nike. You couldn't go to any sporting store without his face being plastered on walls. He was no doubt the most marketable player in NHL. Dude was just an all-world guy.
Yeah I have to agree lol ... I was a massive Fedorov fan.. only Stevie was higher and it was actually close for a min .. grew up a huge Wings fan . But he for sure was THE guy for a little while for the NHL . Rightfully so too because he was unreal for a few seasons and world class all but the last bit of his career . Idc what anyone says though he’s still one of the most purely gifted hockey players we are likely to see all the way around .
Ovie actually said that Fedorov was the one player who influenced him the most and he called him the best center to play alongside him. Such a high praise from one of the brightest NHL stars says a lot. The best defensive star-caliber center to me and red wings better retire his number as soon as possible
What do you expect another Russian to say? Federov is a hockey God in Russia. All the players under his generation worshipped him.
@@vmi4172 yeah, that’s true. However you have to be somewhat really great to inspire so many hockey players. And boy, Feds was. Ovie’s words just prove it
Man Sergei fedorov has to be my all-time favorite NHL player ever
Yeah he's top five for me. I wasn't even mad when he left for more money.
@@abrahamlincoln9758 he left for LESS money. Detroit offered him more money but he wanted to see if he could be a number one center so took less money with Anaheim.
@@aeronitz not how it was my dude. he wanted to consider other options Anaheim proposed a lot of money but he went back to Detroit and said that he will take less to stay with the team but I was offended so he pulled his contract and Sergei had no other option but to leave
Was a huge fan of Sergei-have all his rookie cards!
That 93-94 year Stevie missed about 25-30 games so Fedorov just took over. 120 pts a Hart, Pearson, and a Selke, man he was a monster that year. Also to note that 97 98 year Fedorov sat out due to a contract dispute.
He's kind of like Malkin, who is always in the shadow of Crosby
It's one thing non-Wings fans never realise about Fedorov (or any of the Wings stars from that era) when they say he didn't put up huge point totals apart from that one year. The Wings were a deep team, with lots of talent, they rolled 4 lines, and everyone was expected to play a defence first style. For all their talent, there were very few 50 goal or 100 point seasons on the Wings in that era. There were a lot of deep playoff runs though.
@@nevilleneville6518 You're right. Bowman was a big "the best offense is a good defense" guy.
They say thats why he eventually left Detroit. He wanted the C on his chest. He wanted to lead his own team. He felt like he wasn't getting the credit he deserved. Basically a Malik situation. Malkin too said he thought about leaving because of those reasons. Luckily for his legacy he stayed. Unfortunately for federal he chose to leave and its been a big hit on his legacy.
@@vmi4172 do you have a source for that?
The reason he only played 21 games in 1997-98 was due to a contract dispute.
That was a big deal. Almost lost the fans.
That was an enormous deal. Fedorov ended up signing an offer sheet from Carolina that had a clause in it that paid Fedorov either $12 million or $14 million if his team made the conference final (one was the signing bonus and the other was this special bonus - don't remember which was which). There was no way Carolina was going to make the conference final, but it was extremely likely that Detroit would, so it was quite a creative way get try to get Detroit not to match (Fedorov was an RFA). And it was quite controversial.
For that 1997-98 season, Fedorov ended up making $28 million for those 21 games (signing bonux, salary, conference final bonus). Also made it not so surprising that he left as a UFA later on.
Abraham Lincoln thanks mr Lincoln
@@WhatAboutAmeobi There was also added spice because the owner of the Canes (Karmanos?) had an ongoing beef with Mike Ilitch, over some millionaires feud.
Yup. Surprised Shannon missed that.
A Fedorov video? Hell yeah!!!!!!
A center who played the entire 180 feet of the rink and had the silkiest stride & mitts. Once he donned Nike skates, I just had to get a pair.
I remember rightat the end of career he played a charity football ( soccer) match called soccer aid over here in the uk. He could of been a football ( soccer) player as he was very skillful and his positional sense is second to none. he also played the whole 90 min match . he is a very accomplished athlete. Football ( soccer ) is very popular in Russia. we were lucky he chose Hockey.
He wasn't actually injured during the 97-98 season. He was a restricted free agent and was holding out.
From Wikipedia:
"After a lengthy holdout to start the 1997-98 season, Fedorov, a restricted free agent, signed an offer sheet with the Carolina Hurricanes worth up to $38 million, including bonuses. The Red Wings matched the offer on February 26, 1998, ending Fedorov's holdout. The offer included $14 million for signing and $2 million for 21 regular season games. However, the most controversial part of the contract was a $12 million bonus payable immediately if Fedorov's team reached the 1998 conference finals-at the time, Detroit was already a Stanley Cup contender while Carolina was almost certain to miss the playoffs, so the clause was criticized for creating an unfair disadvantage for Detroit. Nevertheless, the Red Wings matched the offer and paid the bonus. The $28 million Detroit paid Fedorov for 43 total games in 1997-98 remains the largest single season amount paid to an NHL player"
So that's why they won't retire his number lol
Worth every penny. If you could guarantee success for money in a cap free world, NYR and Leafs would have players with $50m salaries annualy.
It was personal too, Karmanos (owner of Hurricanes) and Illitch were business rivals...
yep, I remember that year. I was fine with him holding out as he was worth any amount they gave him and as long as he was back in time for the playoffs.
@@adamrs858 you’re exactly right. It wasn’t just about the money, it was a giant slap in the face to sign and offer sheet with his arch rival
24 years from today, he scored 5 goals against the Caps
Incredible feat. One of the best games EVER!!!
And...I'm old because remember watching this when it happened!!
@@mikel724 As a 35 year Capitals fan, "thanks for the reminder" /s. Just incredible.
@@edalder2000 lol...you guys did okay once Fedorov gave Ovi some pointers. That guy is a beast on the ice!!!
@@mikel724 I remember how Ovechkin just idolized Fedorov. Like Sergei was a God to Ovi.
@@edalder2000 like Fedorov idolized Larionov. They were ground breaking athletes! Literally had to ESCAPE the USSR to play Hockey.
The "European" invasion of the late 80's/early 90's was incredible as a fan. So much damn talent and different playing styles!!!
Fedorov made me fall in love with hockey. As a Dane, my only real exposure to the sport was through films like Mighty Ducks and video games. Then came the '98 Olympics and Fedorov completely dazzled me. He even cemented my Caps fandom forever when McPhee traded for him.
Great video, I thought you surely already made one. Thinking about Fedorov takes me back, good times.
Getting Selke while having 56 goals and 120 points says a lot. Fedorov had absolutely one of the best hockey performances ever there in 94. Ovechkin will be remembered as the best NHL Russian looking at body of work, but for the best single seasons Fedorov has my vote. To quote Barry Melrose, he was the best player in the world for a couple of years.
Thank you making this video about my best player ever. 3 cups and trophies don't lie. He was exciting and very dangerous on Ice always - and pretty damn fast.
He is my all-time favorite RedWing.
To me Pavel datsyuk
Thanks THG, one of my all time favorite players. remarkable, despite, some less successful years later on still managed to be over a .75 ppg average over his career, I have to be honest I had completely forgotten about Columbus..
Tampa won back to back just after having the best record in history just like the red wings. For the second cup Tampa didn’t have kucherov for the season but came back for the playoffs just like the wings with fedorov(play very little games). Also they were both Russians and yzerman had something to do with both teams. Crazy parallels
Федеров!! My favorite player along with Datsyuk and Mogilny
I enjoy going thru the comments and seeing the flowers for Sergei. Hockey was blessed to have him.
Favorite player growing up. And I'm from Sweden. So good I preferred him over Forsberg, Sundin and the rest.
I am also from Sweden and cannot agree more. Most complete player of his generation and the best skater the world has ever seen.
@@mattiaspersson381 Not only of his generation, of all time. He could do anything at any position, he was the ultimate hockey package which no one will ever come even close to. Skating, stickhandling, passing, shooting, attacking, defending, vision, hockey sense...absolutely fantastic
@@Briblistaloz yes I agree. His 93-94 season will never be matched in terms of completeness. 2nd in scoring after Gretzky, 2nd in +/-, hart trophy, selke trophy, lester b Pearson trophy, fastest skater and more.
Real shame he faded away in Anaheim and Columbus. Otherwise he’d be a legend in the whole league.
@@mattiaspersson381 Exactly, he was playing like someone from a different planet that season. Should have stayed in Detroit, win his 4th Cup in 2008 and retire as a Red Wing, he would have surely had his number retired by now.
@@Briblistaloz It seems like it was Detroit's fault. I've read that they mistreated him from the time he got to the U.S. and tried to screw him multiple times with contracts. When he looked for options and told the Wings that Anaheim made an offer, they took back their offer because they were offended haha. So, he had to leave.
Sundin was brought in to show them how to win lol that was a good laugh
Have you done a Scott Stevens career video? That would be a good one. Especially with that controversial move to New Jersey and then his shift from one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL and a really good defensive guy to the best defensive defenseman and hitter in the league under Jacques Lemaire and the trap.
Would be tough to win a Norris when ya got Nick Lidstrom on your team..
Great video, 👍
The most complete player I have ever seen! Guy could probably play goal too if asked. He was a joy to the eyes and to anyone who loves hockey. He flew, in that beautiful style that Coffey, Bure, Orr seemed to have. He could defend, shoot, quarterback, kill, hit, just amazing! One of the great talents for those lucky enough to witness him live.
Thanks for putting this together Shannon. Hope you and the family had a wonderful Christmas!
I enjoyed the heck out of Federov during his time in Detroit, never sat right with me how things were left between the team and the player. I hope with Steve Yzerman in charge they can patch thing up and put 91 in the rafters.
I still remember the news in Detroit having breaking news about his defection to the Wings
How was it? I'd leave to hear that story.
@@vmi4172 my only experience with "Breaking News" at the time was when we invaded Panama so I thought we were going to war. Nope just Federov getting off a plane in Texas, Dallas I think. I can remember thinking "he must be good for it to be breaking news"
Playoffs 1996 Sergei did play a few shifts paired with other D-men on the blue line. I remember the commentators talking about his unique ability to do...well, anything but mind the net
Great video . One of my alltime favorites
My fav player growing up..
Stevie should bring him in as a skating coach best i ever seen i hardly missed a game back then the dude could flat out fly
I love these evergreen videos.
One of the greats!
Most physically gifted player I'd ever seen. My favorite player then. He had the 1st goal on a breakaway against the Hawks back in 02 and I just couldn't believe how fast he was up the ice. Put 91 in the rafters, he definitely deserves it!
Well done, even though I am a Hawks fan, one of my favorite players from the 1990's
Fedorov is one of the best players of all time hands down. When players like Gretzky and Lemieux say he is the hardest player they've ever played against...you have to take it at face value. You cannot rank a player based solely on his point totals and for a guy like Fedorov, he was an all-around player, and by choice. He easily could have totaled over 120 points a year if he chose to. One of the reasons I've always respected him as a player is for that very reason. He knew where he fit best and would help his team the most. Yzerman and Shanny were there to get the goals, Fedorov could have played either of those players roles and filled the position as good or better in some cases. What I respect him for the most though...and this is never mentioned...he knew when it was time to retire and didn't stick around too long looking for some further records or glories. Look at his goal total....for me, he will always be the first Russian player to hit 500 goals, as he could have easily stuck around another season and potted the 17 he needed and then retired. Sorry Ovi, no disrespect, you are amazing, but this guy was first in my book. I won't mention Kovalchuk being 2nd too either...🤔😅
I'm an Yzerman and a Lidström guy when it comes to the Red Wings, but Fedorov is right up there as well. He was big when hockey cards were all the rave of our middle school recesses, and by extension, big with us. Still have my hockey cards, and still regularly pick Detroit when I'm playing NHLPA 93 or NHL 94.
His time in Anaheim is really remembered as that weird translation period from the Kariya era to Getzlaf era
Probably one of the most complete player to ever play the game. One of the premiere 2-way centres.... was runner up to the Art Ross to Gretzky and running up for the now-Rocket Richard to Pavel Bure.... was even able to play as a defenseman for a little bit too.
Thx for The video! One of The most dominant players ever!
I was too young when Fedorov was in Detroit because I was born in 98 but I did get to see him play with Columbus and Washington, I didn't get to see him win any cups because by that point he already had three but I'm glad that I got to see him play because he's an absolute Legend.
LOVED the way this guy played. This is how you win. Yep.
Check out his +/- numbers during his Detroit years. They were incredible.
Funny I'm back here because I'm looking at his young guns haha love that you're a card collector too Shannon. Great video. Hope the meetup went well today.
He was a defenseman for an entire season and won the Cup with the Wings..played defenseman part-time with my team the Capitals...unheard of.. incredible athlete...one of the greatest players of all time.
An absolute rock. Yzerman/Fedorov 1C/2C. We were spoiled
Didn't Gretzky say Fedorov was the best player he played against?
Sure did
Yes he did
They actually trained together in LA. Remember the lockout of 94 when the Gretzky all stars played the Detroit Vipers and lost (the Detroit members didn't play lol).
@@DR.DisInfect he was a beast. He had that stout foot spread/stance and that low center of gravity that made it difficult to knock off his game. It's a shame he got hurt and had no longevity.
@@mikel724 he said that skating on the outside of his foot like that was to his own detriment, his foot didn't fit in the skate no matter how hard he tied it, extremely weird injury.
My first Red Wings game was when Sergi scored the 5 goals against the Washington Capitals at the Joe and won the game in overtime ❤️
Was a huge Fedorov fan as a kid. He could do it all and was so smooth. It was disappointing though how rapidly he declined in the last third of his career post Red Wings.
My all time favorite
I was a child, watching the Sharks play in the early 90s, and every time we played the wings you could bet that Fedorov was tearing us up. every. time.
To me, the best all-round player of the 90's, and as a Wings fan I was glad he was never the same after he left Detroit for Anaheim, he lost out on at least 1 more Stanley Cup.
Fond memories ripping packs from a Pro Set box for his rookie. My uncle bought boxes for me and my cousin at a shop in Livonia. Miss those days.
Federov, Bure and Mogliny were such a treat to watch when they came into the league. My oilers were so depressing to watch over a long part of that span. When we made it into the playoffs I was 100% go oil go, but when we were not looking good I was 100% eyeing those 3 guys.
They don't make them like those guys anymore. It's crazy how much generational talent came out of the 90's.
@@vmi4172 Part of it came from the fact that they were so well conditioned and were the elites from a totally different hockey system. That plus they were familiar with how the west played hockey. They had a huge advantage at the time.
@@thaddcorbett2148 It's just the skill in general. Guys like Federov, Bure, Jagr, Moginly, Selanne..talking all-world skill that few guys in the history of hockey can match.
@@vmi4172 A lot of those guys also had some amazing physical attributes as well.
He'll always be a wing to me. Federov always has and always will be my favorite player.
Peter Karmanos offer sheeted Federov to stick it to Mike Illitch after Illitch kicked Karmanos' junior club out of the Joe. As a Whalers fan, it was crazy to think that there was even a sliver of a chance we might get Federov.
Plus the wings just fleeced shanahan from hartford the year before.
An absolute gangster Sergei Fedorov was.
What. A. Player.
I remember he played for 4 teams bc I was heartbroken as a youth when he wasnt in the Wheel.
If my memory serves me correctly, wasn’t Federov out most of 97-98 due to a contract dispute? This was his Anna Kornakova period where he was looking to play in a bigger market but only Illitch was up to paying him more than top dollar.
4:47 "So he's injured for most of the season" No in the 97-98 season he missed most of the season due to a contract dispute. He's not injury prone
One of the smoothest wrist shots I ever saw.
The one playoff goal, his last NHL goal was a last minute game 7 winner against the Rangers. Still one of the most iconic goals in Caps history
I remember the 98' run they dedicated to Vladdy! I was a big fan of Red Wings and a big fan of Vladdy. I thought he would win a Norris or even two had he not been in an accident. I check up on his progress from time to time and good news is he can walk by himself and even goes on the ice at the Arena- when he attends games which he still frequently does... I held hope he would return and people thought i was crazy. But now he's mobile and even goes on ice... So deep down in my heart i still hold hope that he will return in Red Wing uniform to play one more time with the boys... If not just for a preseason game... With his constant improvement and miracle recovery he's already done- docs didn't think he'd be able to talk again and walk and now he does both in spaces! And if he keeps improving one day i know he will don the uniform and skate as a Red Wing again!!! Much Love to Vladdy from the East Coast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for all your hard work!
Please make a video of players who are known to have an asset, which they use far too seldom on the ice!
I love your videos! 👍
Can’t help wondering what you’re looking at while you talk.
Ducks Legend, for a couple reasons, got Todd Marchant and Francois Beauchemin to Anaheim.
He was an elite scorer with horse legs who just happened to be one of if not the best defensive forwards to ever play. His versatility is probably unmatched.
Bowman had the Knack to make scorers play def. Easier to do with the track record of Bowman then maybe another coach could but winning changes players minds about things.
Tried it with Mario, didn't work.
I've been collecting hockey cards for players on weird teams, and my CBJ Fedorov card does look really, really odd. Even though he played for them longer than Anaheim or Washington.
You must have a sizeable collection of veterans (+40 years of age) playing on the Leafs.
How badass would it be if he had actually won the Norris at the same time as well, I don't know why that thought makes me chuckle so much
You have not done career videos for Peter Bondra and Keith Tkachuk yet. Do I have to pay and request for it on Patreon?
I second a Peter Bondra video, interesting dude
Pavol Demitra Too
Bondra definitely deserves to have his jersey retired by the Caps at some point as an avid Caps fan its ridiculous that neither his #12 or Kolzig's #37 are hanging from the rafters.
Fedorov wasn't hurt in the 1997-98 season. He held out for a contract. That's why he only played 21 games. He was an absolute stud when he came back!
he was such a killer that nike commercial with him versus like everybody big at the time
Fedorov wasn’t injured in 98. He was a contract holdout.
'99 Red Wings had a loaded team as well - Yzerman, Shanahan, Clark, Kozlov, Fedorov, Samuelsson, Chelios, Lidstrom, Murphy, Larionov, Osgood, with Ranford as a back up.
My favorite Russian NHL player. Could do anything you needed on the ice, except fight or play goal. He also had tremendous skill and a great skater.
Federov wasn't injured in 97-98. He was holding out. Carolina gave him an offer where if the team he signed for made the Conference FInals Federov would get an immediate 12 million dollar bonus. Quite the poison pill by Carolina since they were not going to the Conference Finals but Detroit matched it.
He was so frustrating for Wings fans. We all knew he could dominate and expected two 50-goal, 100-point scorers, but Sergei would coast so many nights. He finally scores 56 goals and wins the Selke, but they lose in the first round. He only scores 30 goals, but five were in one game. Then in the playoffs he becomes the first to score 20 points four seasons in a row. Then in 97. he holds out for most of the season, Carolina offers him that $20 mil, Detroit matches, so he makes about a mil a game that season. But they probably weren't winning that second Cup without him, and Sergei knew it. I love him, but man was he exhausting. When he went to Anaheim, a lot of fans were kinda relieved.
More like pissed.
The contract dispute in 97-98 isthe reason his number may never be retired by the wings while the illitch's own the wings and it cemented the rivalry between peter karmansos and carolina signed federov to an offer sheet and detriot matched it. That is while in 2002 the cup was very special to the wings.
It wasn't injury 97-98. He sat out, then signed an offer sheet with Carolina, that Detroit matched.
The season of '98 Fedorov had major contract disputes that prevented him from playing most of those games. I'm not sure that he was injured all that time that year. He came back as a rockstar
Fedorov is one of those guys where you can't just look at his point totals (which are good enough) but you also had to watch him play
If he was motivated he could have had at 200 more points but he was a 200 ft player. Him and Foresberg were the best players I ever saw
I didn't remember that he played for the ducks or capitals at first. However, I do remember Columbus played I had a NHL game where i created myself as a RW, Federov as C and Rick Nash as LW.
You left out all the times he scored with Anna Kournikova. 😍😍😍