GlavaMan said:
Let's see now... the Ducks wouldn't pay Kariya $10 million a year but they will pay Federov $8 million!!! So for $2 million less they lose their capitan & leader, who is five years younger then Federov. I'm sure Federov will have an outstanding year(NOT) under Mike Babcock's defensive system.
At least Federov got to 'hit it' with Anna!
The Ducks have picked up a guy who is still one of the best 2-way forwards in the game. Replacing Kariya and (probably) Oates with Feds and Prospal is not too bad. Sergei is used to playing in an environment where he needs to sacrafice stats for the benefit of the team, even if he complains sometimes.
And yes, Sergei has definately been known to complain before. As CSkotzke mentioned, he is not captain material, especially not of a team he's just arrived with. But, for all of his eccentric behavior and supposed unhappiness off the ice, Sergei never let that affect his performance. He always brought his A game, especially in the playoffs.
But, he took less money (the wings originally offered him 5 years, 50 mil) to sign with the Ducks. The fact is that after 13 years and 3 Cups with one team, Sergei feels like trying something new. He's going to a warmer climate and to a place where he can be the unquestioned #1 forward, out of the shadow of Steve Yzerman. Unfortunately, Sergei got many unfair comparisons to Stevie Y over the years (playing the same position on the same team, wearing Steve's number backwards, etc.). Because so few players in the history of the NHL can measure up to Yzerman in terms of leadership and character, this gave Feds a bum rap with some fans and local media. That's one of the biggest factors that fuels Feds' reputation as a "prima donna," or a "crybaby" or what have you.
