Red Wings set to finally honor franchise legend Sergei Fedorov

Even though fans may care more about seeing the once-proud Red Wings back in the playoffs, the decision to finally honor Detroit's last Hart Trophy winner provides a moment to reflect on the past. 

The big news even included a statement of gratitude from Fedorov himself. 

"I'm extremely grateful for this tremendous honor. Thank you to everyone with the Red Wings organization, especially those who helped bring me to Detroit and gave me the chance to play for such a historic franchise. I was fortunate to be part of some unforgettable teams, and above all, I'm proud of the three Stanley Cup championships we won for our amazing fans in Hockeytown. The memories made along the way — with legendary teammates, coaches, and exceptional ownership — will stay with me forever." 

No. 91 will become the ninth number raised to the rafters by Detroit, joining Terry Sawchuk (No. 1), Red Kelly (No. 4), Nicklas Lidstrom (No. 5), Ted Lindsay (No. 7), Gordie Howe (No. 9), Alex Delvecchio (No. 10), Sid Abel (No. 12) and Yzerman (No. 19).

Some could argue that Fedorov taking his rightful place among fellow Red Wings legends is long overdue — he played his last NHL game in 2012 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 — but it's finally happening nonetheless. 

Fedorov has always deserved the honor for his accomplishments on the ice, but his story has been a complicated one since he became one of the faces of the NHL in the 1990s after defecting from Russia. 

From that point on, the Russian superstar would become one of the league's best players and a marketing sensation off the ice as well. He scored exactly 400 goals and registered 954 total points in 13 seasons with the Red Wings. Fedorov was an All-Star six times, named league MVP in 1994 and helped Detroit capture three Stanley Cup titles. Fedorov would finish his career with 483 goals and 1,179 points, also spending time with the Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals. 

However, despite his brilliance on the ice, Fedorov's relationship with the Red Wings has been rocky since he left Detroit 22 years ago. The initial drama began in 1997 when Fedorov held out as a restricted free agent early in the season during a contract dispute. He even signed an offer sheet with the Carolina Hurricanes. Detroit matched the offer, but the wounds between Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch and Fedorov never fully healed.  

Then came Fedorov's actual departure as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2003. At that time, he rejected a larger offer to stay with Detroit and instead decided to sign with the Ducks, the team that just upset the then-defending champion Red Wings in the first round. 

Fedorov's decision was viewed as a betrayal by fans, leading to the former fan favorite being booed mercilessly upon his return to Joe Louis Arena the following season. 

Unfortunately, this led to Fedorov being separated from the Red Wings for many years, even after retiring. 

Fast forward to the present day, and the two sides are united again, this time forever. And it feels right because, in Fedorov's own words from his Hall of Fame induction speech, he's a Red Wing at heart. 

But now that one hockey injustice has been corrected, the pressure remains on general manager Steve Yzerman, Fedorov's former teammate from 1990-2003, to ensure the Red Wings' future is as bright as its past.