04/20/24
December 14, 2005
NHL’s Fedorov Won’t Play for Russia at Turin Olympics: Hockey player Sergei Fedorov said he will not play for Russia at the Turin Olympics. Fedorov, a forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets and six-time NHL All-Star, was quoted by AP as saying he needed time to recuperate from a nagging injury and to adapt to his new team. He joined the Jackets in a Nov. 16 trade with Anaheim.
Interesting. The NHL is taking a break during the Olympics, right? How long will it be? I was just reading in the Columbus paper today that Fedorov has been a huge help to the the Jackets' young Russian player Nikolai Zherdev. Fedorov said that he translates the coaches' instructions for Zherdev.
posted by pooch at 09:06 AM on December 14, 2005
This makes sense to me, he's been on the sidelines for a while and is just starting to get back into form. He's played before and doesn't want to risk his NHL season.
posted by fenriq at 11:47 AM on December 14, 2005
With Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Zherdev, and Khabibulin playing, I don't think Fedorov will be hurting anybody by stepping aside for the young guns.
posted by insomnyuk at 12:27 PM on December 14, 2005
I'd wager he is doing it to save Doug MacLean's ass.
posted by garfield at 12:56 PM on December 14, 2005
It appears as though this is becoming a trend for the above-30 (sometimes above 40) crowd in the NHL. Federov has lost a few steps, but is still remarkably gifted as a player. Yet, these players stepping aside are creating better opportunity for the younger players who may surprise us with how well they do for their country. Not that many years ago, pros were not allowed to play anyway. It may be for the betterment of the teams. Some of these players may be better coaches than performers any more.