Wings will consider retiring Fedorov's No. 91
Detroit – Sergei Fedorov is a first-ballot inductee of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
He is the only Hart Trophy winner for MVP for the Red Wings in 53 years.
He was an essential offensive and defensive component for more than one-quarter of the Wings teams that have won Stanley Cups. In the playoff drive for the first in 42 years in Detroit, in 1997, Fedorov had 20 points in 20 games.
His two-way game was perhaps the best in his time, with the Wings. And for those years, he was among the best players in the world.
But do the Red Wings now retire his number?
General Manager Ken Holland said he gave the issue some thought Thursday morning.
The issue, he said, will be decided by himself, the Ilitches, Wings senior vice-president Jimmy Devellano, and Olympia Entertainment president Tom Wilson.
"At the appropriate time, we'll talk about whether his numbers should go into the rafters or not," Holland said.
"Certainly, being selected to go in the Hall of Fame is an incredible accomplishment for a great player and a great Red Wing."
Asked if that meant Fedorov's chances were good, Holland said, "Well, I don't want to gauge it, but certainly we're going to have that conversation. But I'm sure when we're going to have that conversation. But I'm not sure when.
"At the end of his career, we tried to sign him and he ended up leaving.
"But other than, obviously, Steve Yzerman and Nick Lidstrom, who finished their career here – and the season after they left we put their jerseys in the rafters – I think with Sergei, it might take a little bit of time to discuss."
Holland said, flatly, "I don't know," when asked how much Fedorov declining a lucrative offer from the Wings to remain in Detroit would impact the decision.
"Obviously, it's easier when a player has spent 20 years in Detroit," he said.
Booed by the fans at Joe Louis Arena, nearly every time he touched the puck as an opposing player, late in his career, Fedorov received a considerably positive reception when he appeared in a Red Wings uniform at a game between the Wings and Maple Leafs alumni in 2013 at Comerica Park.
Fedorov spent the first 13 of his 19 NHL seasons with the Red Wings, where he enjoyed his most success.
A three-time Stanley Cup winner in Detroit (1997, 1998, 2002), Fedorov was a six-time NHL All-Star and in 1994 capped an outstanding season by winning the Hart Trophy and Pearson Award (MVP as voted by players).
He was a dynamic skater, and though he was a profilic scorer, he was a defensive force, as well. Fedorov won the Selke Trophy for best defensive forward in 1994 and 1996.
During his MVP season of 1993-94, Fedorov had 56 goals and 64 assists for 120 points. He also had a remarkable plus-48 rating.
RED WINGS RETIRED SWEATERS
No. 1 -- Terry Sawchuk, G
No. 5 -- Nicklas Lidstrom, D
No. 7 -- Ted Lindsay, LW
No. 9 -- Gordie Howe, RW
No. 10 -- Alex Delvecchio, D
No. 12 -- Sid Abel, C
No. 19 -- Steve Yzerman, C
