Detroit Red Wings

Former Red Wings Star Fedorov’s CSKA Job in Jeopardy?

There’s speculation that CSKA Moscow might be considering removing coach Sergei Fedorov

Published

2 years ago

September 10, 2022

Bob Duff

Over the summer, there was plenty of rumblings about Sergei Fedorov being under consideration to be the next coach of the Detroit Red Wings. One online betting site was even listing the former Red Wings star as the favorite to land the job.

These days, there’s speculation in Russia that Fedorov’s days in charge of CSKA Moscow might be in jeopardy.

The reigning Gagarin Cup champions of the KHL suffered back-to-back decisive losses. They dropped a 4-1 decision to Severstal. That came on the heels of a 5-1 thumping handed the champs by Ak Bars Kazan. Prior to that there was a 5-4 victory over Neftekhimik.

Alex Radulov and Ak Bars to face the champs – Sergei Fedorov's CSKA: https://t.co/3zubeD2gBH pic.twitter.com/91SqAGXxja

— KHL (@khl_eng) September 5, 2022

It’s the first time in two seasons with Fedorov in charge that the club has surrendered that many goals over a three-game span, and it’s raising concerns, both interally and externally.

“Unfortunately, we are not yet able to understand in which dimension we are,” Fedorov told KHL.ru.

The coach readily admits that his team is facing defensive issues.

“We are fighting this, we have problems in this area,” Fedorov said. “Maybe emotions are running high, maybe the guys want to do everything at once. Let’s write off the beginning of the season and emotions. Our team is well aware that the discipline of removals leaves much to be desired.

“The work will continue, we will try to draw conclusions before the next game and come out with a winning mood.”

Former Red Wings Fedorov On Chopping Block?

European clubs don’t tend to be as patient with coaches as North American clubs. There’s already rumblings that if CSKA doesn’t turn things around quickly, Fedorov may be replaced behind the bench. Former NHL defenseman Igor Kravchuk is rumored to be a potential replacement.

“The club should at least think about some changes,” wrote SportExpress.ru special correspondant Alexey Shevchenko. “Sergei Fedorov cannot get through to Anton Slepyshev.”

At the same time, Shevchenko doesn’t believe a coaching change is the route to go in order to get CSKA turned around.

“Changes in the coaching staff also seem ill-conceived,” Shevchenko wrote.