Sergei Fedorov sends a stern message to Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman
Photo credit: 1st Ohio Battery
Detroit Red Wings legend Sergei Federov, part of the Russian Five, didn't hold back when he was asked about the current state of the team under the leadership of Steve Yzerman.
Sergei Federov was a part of the russian contingent in the team that would change the style of hockey the Red Wings played. They would become one of the top teams in the league, and win multiple Stanley Cups with the "Russian Five" rostered.
Now, so far out, the team looks like a shell of what it once was. They've struggled to be relevant in the Atlantic Division this season.
The team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday, in a 4-3 OT win. The Wings still sit six points back from the Montreal Canadiens and the second wild card spot in the East.
Sergei Federov was asked about his relationship and feelings about the team that helped him start his career in the NHL, and he didn't have much kind words about what GM Steve Yzerman has done with it.
They seem stuck," Fedorov said. "They have a good coach, but no strong goalie tandem and not enough key players. It's a young team without veterans, and that makes the rebuild even harder. I don't see three or four strong, mobile defensemen there.
His criticisms seem spot on about the Red Wings, who have been built poorly through free agency and trades.
While his draft record might not be terrible, we've yet to see that team take that ice.
Steve Yzerman is doing solid work through the draft, but it takes more than that. Their last right-shooting forward left for a bigger contract, and that didn't help either."
In the long run, it's hard to even think what Federov said is wrong about Yzerman's work.
Considering the success he'd seen in the KHL, should Chris Illitch explore bringing back Federov in an advisory role to Yzerman, rather than the crew of yes-men and nepo babies he's surrounded himself with?
The Red Wings haven't seen a playoff series in nine years, and like former GM Ken Holland, Steve Yzerman's not done a great job in building a winning roster.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 12 | 402 ANSWERS Sergei Fedorov sends a stern message to Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman Do you think former Head Coach Sergei Federov of CSKA Moscow is wrong about GM Steve Yzerman? | ||
| Yes | 128 | 31.8 % |
| No | 274 | 68.2 % |
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