Already member? Login first! It is no secret that I adore Russian players. From my unbridled love of Datsyuk now to my love of all things Sergei Samsonov and my admiration of what we lost in Vladimir Konstantinov, Russian players are my favorite nationality of hockey.
One, in particular, stands out above the rest, however. In the past, I have proclaimed I would fight you to the death defending Sergei Fedorov as the best Red Wings player of all time.
This is no joke nor exaggeration; he simply is the most talented player to ever play for the Red Wings. Maybe not the greatest, but in terms of raw talent, I truly believe that no Wing can match Fedorov. The first time I encountered Fedorov was that same day I got caught hiding behind a couch watching a hockey game. My grandpa had picked me up and taken me into the room and we sat down to watch the game together. This was the year he won the Hart Trophy and he was a sight to behold.
He was the fastest player in the league with the best stick handling and some of the best defense. He was the entire package. The Russian Rocket was a blur. When I saw him play, it was as if nothing else in the world existed.
Fedorov was simply the best. He won the Fastest Skater Superskills competition in and To this day, only the great Michael Gartner has done it faster than the Russian Rocket. Despite only winning it twice it should be noted that no player has won it more than that , Fedorov was much, much faster, especially with a puck.
