Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Daily: Is Fedorov Pro Putin?

Published

2 years ago

April 5, 2022

Bob Duff

Former Red Wings star Sergei Fedorov was photographed in front of a banner supporting Russian president Vladimir Putin during a KHL game.

Monday was a tough day for former Detroit Red Wings star Sergei Fedorov. For the first time in the KHL playoffs, CSKA Moscow, the team Fedorov coaches, was tasting defeat. They lost 4-0 to SKA St. Petersburg, leaving their third-round series deadlocked at 1-1.

Prior to that setback, CSKA Moscow were rolling along on a nine-game winning streak since the postsesaon got underway. But in the long term, Monday’s loss might be the least of Fedorov’s worries.

Photographed behind the CSKA bench during a recent game, Fedorov is standing in front of a giant banner that reads “Putin is my President.”

9-0 playoff record for head coach Sergei Fedorov.#GagarinCup pic.twitter.com/Hmg10LcR5v

— KHL (@khl_eng) April 3, 2022

Is Fedorov a supporter or Russian president Vladimir Putin? Hard to say for sure. He’s never been one to discuss politics, although he did defect from the former Soviet Union in 1990 to play for the Red Wings. Then again, former Red Wings defenseman Slava Fetisov fought the Soviet system to gain freedom for Russian players to play in the NHL. Yet as a member of the Russian Douma, he’s under USA sanctions for his support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Whatever Fedorov thinks about Putin and the ongoing war, a picture is worth a thousand words. There’s been some push for him to be under consideration as the next coach of the Red Wings. That won’t be happening if there’s even an inkling that he’s backing Putin.

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Around The NHL

Boston: Disgruntled forward Jake DeBrusk wants a trade from the Boston Bruins but he’s riding a five-game point streak (6-2-8).

Philadelphia: Minus traded captain Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers forward Kevin Hayes is taking on more of a leadership role.

Washington: As the Stanley Cup playoffs near, the Washington Capitals are suddenly unsure of which of Vitek Vanecek or Ilya Samsonov will be their go-to goalie.

Islanders: Playing his first NHL game in two years, Cory Schneider made 27 saves in backstopping the New York Islanders to a 4-3 verdict over the New Jersey Devils.

Colorado: Defenseman Bown Byram (concussion) is back with the Colorado Avalanche and is expected to play this week.

Vegas: The Vegas Golden Knights reclaimed a playoff spot by virtue of a win over the Vancouver Canucks.