Red Wings Legend Fedorov Out as CSKA Coach

If the Detroit Red Wings were to be looking to make a change to their coaching staff for next season, a very intriguing name is suddenly available.

CSKA Moscow has announced the firing of head coach and Red Wings legend Sergei Fedorov.

Looks like Ilya Vorobyov will become the new head coach of CSKA.

They will not renew Sergei Fedorov's contract which expires April 30 2024.

Vorobyov won the Gagarin Cup twice with Metallurg – once as an assistant to Mike Keenan, and once as the team’s head coach. #KHL pic.twitter.com/BDekhRxZot

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) March 27, 2024

For starters, let’s state the obvious – there’s no inkling at the present time that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is considering any sort of shakeup to his coaching staff currently headed by Derek Lalonde. Lalonde is in the second of a three-year deal with the club.

That being said, pro sports is a results-based business and certainly, as Fedorov can testify to, a what have you done for me lately pursuit.

In his first two seasons as CSKA head coach, Fedorov was leading the Russian army team to back-to-back Gagarin Cup titles. No coach in KHL history has previously won successive titles in his first two years behind a team’s bench.

However, this season was a struggle for CSKA Moscow. Following an inconsistent regular-season performance, the club was bounced from the opening round of the Gagarin Cup playoffs.

The axe fell on Fedorov earlier this week.

Bad Blood Between Fedorov, Red Wings?

Certainly, there’s another elephant in the room that is in need of addressing. Would the Detroit brass even be welcome to the idea of Fedorov returning to the Red Wings fold?

Clearly, there’s still some bad blood percolating between the ownership of the club and Fedorov. It’s not mere coincidence that the No. 91 of Hall of Famer Fedorov isn’t hanging from the Little Caesars Arena rafters.

Twice during his Red Wings tenure, he would reject significant contract offers from the team. In 1997, as a restricted free agent, he accepted an offer sheet from the Carolina Hurricanes. The $38 million pact was including a rider that would pay Fedorov a $12 million lump sum bonus if the team were to reach the conference finals.

With two Gagarin Cups in three seasons, the Sergei Fedorov's era in CSKA has ended. pic.twitter.com/MfSG0F3Nox

— KHL (@khl_eng) March 28, 2024

Matching the offer sheet, the reigning Stanley Cup champion Red Wings would go on to defend their title, forcing the Ilitch family to cut Fedorov a $12 million check.

Later, as an unresticted free agent in 2003, Fedorov would turn down a four-year, $40-million offer from the Red Wings and instead sign with the Anaheim Ducks.

During his time in Detroit, Fedorov was the three-time Stanley Cup winner. He also received the 1994 Hart Trophy and a pair of Selke Trophies.

There’s another factor to consider – according to Russian web site Sport-Express.ru, Fedorov is not anxious to fnd another head coaching position. Fedorov would like to spend more time with his family. There is speculation that he could remain with CSKA in a front office position.