CBS Sports: The Red Wings Close in to sign Former Legendary HC and Three-Time Stanley Cups Champions in a Mega Deal.

The Detroit Red Wings’ poor start to the 2024–25 NHL season—they are 8-9-2 and far from a postseason berth—has once again raised questions about head coach Derek Lalonde’s job security. Red Wings veteran Sergei Fedorov is one name that keeps coming up in the rumors regarding possible replacements as the team has failed to live up to expectations.

A sluggish start to the season and Fedorov’s legendary position in Detroit have some Red Wings supporters and observers wondering if he will be the team’s next head coach.

A Legendary Player with a Difficult Past
Fedorov had a spectacular career with the Red Wings, as Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now recently explained in an analysis. His leadership and skill helped the squad win three Stanley Cups and achieve many other victories. His time with the team wasn’t without controversy, though. Two significant incidents that occurred during Fedorov’s departure from Detroit have continued to cause friction, especially among the Red Wings’ ownership.

Fedorov’s 1997–1998 contract holdout was the first. In addition to creating conflict within the company, he compelled the Red Wings to match a huge offer sheet from the Carolina Hurricanes, which cost them $38 million. Marian Ilitch, the Red Wings’ owner at the time, had to pay cheques totaling $26 million to Fedorov alone in a single season, which left a sour taste in their mouth.

The second occurrence occurred in 2004, when Fedorov chose to sign with the Anaheim Ducks instead of accepting a five-year, $50 million contract extension from the Red Wings. His relationship with the franchise and its supporters was further weakened by this action. These previous disputes have put a lot of obstacles in the way of Fedorov and the Red Wings organization ever getting back together, despite his obvious talent.

The Reasons The Fedorov Dream Is Not Real
Fedorov is a legend, but there is little chance that he will be the Red Wings’ next head coach. This is due to a number of important factors, chief among them being Fedorov’s relationship—or lack thereof—with current general manager Steve Yzerman.

Rehiring former Red Wings greats has been a priority of Yzerman’s since he became general manager of the team. Fedorov, however, has been conspicuously excluded from these initiatives. The thought of Fedorov taking on a leadership role again is complicated by Yzerman’s candid admission that he and Fedorov do not have a cordial relationship.

Furthermore, Yzerman cannot afford to make a hazardous hire, even though supporters may be eager to see Fedorov return to Detroit. It would be a significant risk to hire someone with no NHL coaching experience, and he is already under pressure to make the Red Wings a contender. Yzerman’s next decision needs to be well-thought-out, and it doesn’t seem likely that Fedorov will be hired considering their personal history and his inexperience as a coach.

The Truth: A Fan’s Dream, Not the Organization’s
Fans find the prospect of Sergei Fedorov coaching again in Detroit thrilling, especially in light of his legendary influence on the team, but it’s just not a realistic possibility. Duff said Fedorov’s prospects of being employed as head coach are almost nonexistent as long as the Ilitch family controls the organization and Yzerman is in charge as general manager.