(CP) - Anaheim's signing of superstar centre Sergei Fedorov on Saturday, two days after the acquisition of winger Vinny Prospal, ensures that last season's Stanley Cup finalist will be much more than a one-year wonder.
The Mighty Ducks now have what it takes to be perennial contenders. Mike Babcock's coaching, Jean-Sebastien Giguere's goaltending, a mobile and proficient defence corps, full-of-character foot soldiers such as Steve Rucchin and Mike Leclerc up front, and now top-flight free agents Fedorov and Prospal - general manager Bryan Murray is assembling an impressive team.
"We're a team that can now be viewed seriously in the annual predictions," Murray said from his Ottawa Valley cottage.
Fedorov, 33, signed a five-year, $40-million contract 48 hours after Prospal, 28, agreed to a five-year, $16.5-million deal.
Murray was able to afford all this after letting go winger Paul Kariya, who would have earned more than $10 million next season, and centre Adam Oates, who was in line for $3.5 million.
Fedorov, whose strong checking traits make him a better fit than Kariya in Babcock's system, had spent all of his 13 NHL seasons with Detroit, helping the Red Wings win three championships. He was league MVP in 1994 and twice was named best defensive forward.
His familiarity with Murray, who coached the Red Wings when Fedorov broke into the NHL, sealed the deal.
"Knowing Bryan Murray, that was a big factor," Fedorov said from Moscow.
Last season, Fedorov led Detroit in scoring with 83 points including 36 goals. In his career, he has 400 goals and 554 assists. He also helped Russia win Olympic silver in 1998 and bronze in 2002.
"Our commitment was to Paul Kariya but when that didn't happen our attention was directed towards Vinny Prospal and Sergei," said Murray.
The new deal has two years guaranteed, and Fedorov can walk after that if he chooses because he has the option on the last three years.
Fedorov's departure is a big loss for the Red Wings, says former teammate Darren McCarty.
"He's one of the most talented guys in the league," McCarty said from his Detroit-region home. "He has the ability to change a game by himself."
Fedorov said he looked elsewhere after becoming frustrated with the lack of progress in talks between his agent, Pat Brisson, and Red Wings GM Ken Holland before he was to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
"I was trying to sign with Detroit but every time we came close we couldn't reach an agreement," he said. "Unfortunately, it did not happen.
"We were very surprised. It was hard for me to understand. But it's not only a game now it's big business. A couple of years ago, I probably would have re-signed with Detroit but economic circumstances are different now.
"We had a sense Detroit wanted me to talk to other teams."
Said McCarty: "I think he just felt he needed a new start, get out in L.A. which is more his speed."
Murray wasn't overly concerned about the reasons why it happened. He was just happy to land the best player available on the free-agent market.
"The opportunity to come to a team that had a nice finish last year, a fairly nice group of players . . . being in California. There were a variety of things that came into it," he said.
Fedorov, Prospal and Petr Sykora will be Anaheim's No. 1 line.
Prospal, a Czech, had 22 goals and 56 assists with Tampa Bay last season.
"I know he's not known out in California but my brother coached him in Philadelphia and we've talked about him a lot over the years," Murray said of Prospal. "He's a real determined, competitive type of guy.
"And Fedorov is, without a doubt, a great assist guy, a great speed guy, and one of the most entertaining players in the league."
Brisson also talked to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings, said Fedorov.
Fedorov became disenchanted at times last spring because he felt coach Dave Lewis wasn't using him enough.
"(Previous coach) Scotty Bowman gave me a chance to play 28 to 30 minutes a game and I felt like a fish in water," he said. "I was looking for that type of employment (after Lewis took over) but unfortunately that didn't happen."
There have been suggestions he's tough to motivate at times.
"I've talked to Mike Babcock about this," said Murray. "Our agenda is to make this guy an important player on and off the ice.
"We'll do that for him, and I have great confidence (he'll respond)."
Fedorov insisted his new environment will be invigorating.
"I'm thrilled," he said. "I enjoy a challenge. I'm up for it."
Giving Fedorov an important role will not include sewing a C on his sweater. Rucchin and defenceman Keith Carney will be first in line for Kariya's captaincy given their inspiring playoffs and tenure.
Murray said he's continuing talks with the agent for Steve Thomas to bring back the popular winger who sparked the club's late-season surge.
Murray also has to give a big pay raise to Giguere, who is a restricted free agent.
"We are talking," said Murray. "Proposals have gone back and forth."
Fedorov said he held no bitterness towards the Red Wings, and he thanked his former teammates, owner Mike Ilitch and the fans for 13 wonderful years in the Motor City.
"It's tough to leave a group of guys who became, basically, family to me," he said. "It was a wonderful ride.
"But anybody in life changes directions. This is absolutely normal."
He denied any friction had developed between him and his Red Wings teammates.
"Friction? I don't think so," he said. "I became really good friends with Brendan Shanahan the last few years because we roomed together on the road, and before that I roomed with Steve Yzerman.
"I don't see any reason why people would look into (a dissension topic) or even speculate on that. If there was any friction between players, I don't think our team could have won championships like we did."
While many NHL clubs are using the collective bargaining showdown 14 months from now as a reason to shy away from long-term deals with players, it is clear the Disney corporation that owns the Mighty Ducks is not similarly intimidated by talk of a hard salary cap.
http://canada.com/sports/story.html?id=60898193-3509-45FE-9E0F-30752B1E36F3
The Mighty Ducks now have what it takes to be perennial contenders. Mike Babcock's coaching, Jean-Sebastien Giguere's goaltending, a mobile and proficient defence corps, full-of-character foot soldiers such as Steve Rucchin and Mike Leclerc up front, and now top-flight free agents Fedorov and Prospal - general manager Bryan Murray is assembling an impressive team.
"We're a team that can now be viewed seriously in the annual predictions," Murray said from his Ottawa Valley cottage.
Fedorov, 33, signed a five-year, $40-million contract 48 hours after Prospal, 28, agreed to a five-year, $16.5-million deal.
Murray was able to afford all this after letting go winger Paul Kariya, who would have earned more than $10 million next season, and centre Adam Oates, who was in line for $3.5 million.
Fedorov, whose strong checking traits make him a better fit than Kariya in Babcock's system, had spent all of his 13 NHL seasons with Detroit, helping the Red Wings win three championships. He was league MVP in 1994 and twice was named best defensive forward.
His familiarity with Murray, who coached the Red Wings when Fedorov broke into the NHL, sealed the deal.
"Knowing Bryan Murray, that was a big factor," Fedorov said from Moscow.
Last season, Fedorov led Detroit in scoring with 83 points including 36 goals. In his career, he has 400 goals and 554 assists. He also helped Russia win Olympic silver in 1998 and bronze in 2002.
"Our commitment was to Paul Kariya but when that didn't happen our attention was directed towards Vinny Prospal and Sergei," said Murray.
The new deal has two years guaranteed, and Fedorov can walk after that if he chooses because he has the option on the last three years.
Fedorov's departure is a big loss for the Red Wings, says former teammate Darren McCarty.
"He's one of the most talented guys in the league," McCarty said from his Detroit-region home. "He has the ability to change a game by himself."
Fedorov said he looked elsewhere after becoming frustrated with the lack of progress in talks between his agent, Pat Brisson, and Red Wings GM Ken Holland before he was to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
"I was trying to sign with Detroit but every time we came close we couldn't reach an agreement," he said. "Unfortunately, it did not happen.
"We were very surprised. It was hard for me to understand. But it's not only a game now it's big business. A couple of years ago, I probably would have re-signed with Detroit but economic circumstances are different now.
"We had a sense Detroit wanted me to talk to other teams."
Said McCarty: "I think he just felt he needed a new start, get out in L.A. which is more his speed."
Murray wasn't overly concerned about the reasons why it happened. He was just happy to land the best player available on the free-agent market.
"The opportunity to come to a team that had a nice finish last year, a fairly nice group of players . . . being in California. There were a variety of things that came into it," he said.
Fedorov, Prospal and Petr Sykora will be Anaheim's No. 1 line.
Prospal, a Czech, had 22 goals and 56 assists with Tampa Bay last season.
"I know he's not known out in California but my brother coached him in Philadelphia and we've talked about him a lot over the years," Murray said of Prospal. "He's a real determined, competitive type of guy.
"And Fedorov is, without a doubt, a great assist guy, a great speed guy, and one of the most entertaining players in the league."
Brisson also talked to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings, said Fedorov.
Fedorov became disenchanted at times last spring because he felt coach Dave Lewis wasn't using him enough.
"(Previous coach) Scotty Bowman gave me a chance to play 28 to 30 minutes a game and I felt like a fish in water," he said. "I was looking for that type of employment (after Lewis took over) but unfortunately that didn't happen."
There have been suggestions he's tough to motivate at times.
"I've talked to Mike Babcock about this," said Murray. "Our agenda is to make this guy an important player on and off the ice.
"We'll do that for him, and I have great confidence (he'll respond)."
Fedorov insisted his new environment will be invigorating.
"I'm thrilled," he said. "I enjoy a challenge. I'm up for it."
Giving Fedorov an important role will not include sewing a C on his sweater. Rucchin and defenceman Keith Carney will be first in line for Kariya's captaincy given their inspiring playoffs and tenure.
Murray said he's continuing talks with the agent for Steve Thomas to bring back the popular winger who sparked the club's late-season surge.
Murray also has to give a big pay raise to Giguere, who is a restricted free agent.
"We are talking," said Murray. "Proposals have gone back and forth."
Fedorov said he held no bitterness towards the Red Wings, and he thanked his former teammates, owner Mike Ilitch and the fans for 13 wonderful years in the Motor City.
"It's tough to leave a group of guys who became, basically, family to me," he said. "It was a wonderful ride.
"But anybody in life changes directions. This is absolutely normal."
He denied any friction had developed between him and his Red Wings teammates.
"Friction? I don't think so," he said. "I became really good friends with Brendan Shanahan the last few years because we roomed together on the road, and before that I roomed with Steve Yzerman.
"I don't see any reason why people would look into (a dissension topic) or even speculate on that. If there was any friction between players, I don't think our team could have won championships like we did."
While many NHL clubs are using the collective bargaining showdown 14 months from now as a reason to shy away from long-term deals with players, it is clear the Disney corporation that owns the Mighty Ducks is not similarly intimidated by talk of a hard salary cap.
http://canada.com/sports/story.html?id=60898193-3509-45FE-9E0F-30752B1E36F3
