Sergei Fedorov discloses the real nature of his current relationship with the Detroit Red Wings

Former Detroit Red Wings forward Sergei Fedorov was one of the most exciting and dynamic players to ever wear the Winged Wheel sweater, though his time with the club came to a controversial end in 2003.

The club has yet to retire his iconic No. 91 sweater number, and many believe that day will never come as long as the Ilitch Family owns the team.

While the upper echelons of Detroit management and ownership may still feel bitter about Fedorov's departure (and his 1998 offer sheet from top Mike Ilitch business rival Peter Karmanos and the Carolina Hurricanes), the fan base has mostly let bygones be bygones.

What is the current nature of Fedorov's formal relationship with the Red Wings? As he puts it, there isn't an official one at the moment - but he wouldn't turn it down.

After helping Detroit win the Stanley Cup 3 times and scoring exactly 400 goals, Fedorov rejected a pair of contract offers from the Red Wings and instead signed with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, the same team that had shockingly eliminated Detroit in a 4-game sweep just months prior.

He never regained the form that made him a superstar in the Red Wings, and later had uneventful tenures with the Columbus Blue Jackets and briefly, the Washington Capitals.