Fedorov Leaves Capitals to Play in Russia

After 18 seasons, three Stanley Cups, an MVP award and 483 goals, Sergei Fedorov has decided to leave the NHL and finish his illustrious career in Russia.

Fedorov, 39, was an integral part of the Washington Capitals the past season and a half and was in preliminary discussions to return for another. But a more lucrative offer from Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League and the opportunity to play on the same team with his younger brother, Fedor, proved too much to pass up.

Fedorov, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent next Wednesday, signed a two-year deal with Magnitogorsk, according press releases posted on both the team and the KHL's Web sites yesterday.

"Kontinental Hockey League Information Center officially confirms forward Sergei Fedorov signing two-year contract with Metallurg Magnitogorsk," the KHL release said.

Fedorov informed the Capitals of his decision last night, according to a team spokesman.

According to published reports, Magnitogorsk will pay Fedorov more than $3 million per season. The Capitals had been hopeful of retaining the veteran center, according to a source. But the source indicated the team was not prepared to offer him more than a one-year contract or approach the amount he is reportedly set to earn in Russia next season.

The six-time all-star is the second Russian forward to leave Washington this month, joining Viktor Kozlov, who reportedly has signed a three-year contract with Salavat Yulaev, also of the KHL.

Fedorov's departure leaves the Capitals without their second-best center behind Nicklas Backstrom, and it puts considerable pressure on General Manager George McPhee to trade for a second line at the draft, which begins tonight at Bell Centre in Montreal. The Capitals hold seven picks, including the 24th overall selection.

Fedorov was also Washington's second-most effective player in the faceoff circle, winning 56.2 percent of his draws, a key leader in the locker room as well as a steadying influence on the bench and on the ice.

If McPhee is unable to add a top-tier center via a trade this weekend, he may have to turn to the free agent market.

Fedorov arrived at the trade deadline during the 2007-08 season and helped the Capitals complete a last-place-to-Southeast-Division-title comeback. Although he scored only two goals during that run, he notched the game-winner in Washington's division-clinching win over the Florida Panthers in the regular season finale.

Coach Bruce Boudreau lauded Fedorov for his veteran leadership and mentoring of young Russians Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin.

This past season, Fedorov rebounded from an illness- and injury-plagued regular season to, once again, score a goal that propelled the Capitals to new heights. He ripped a slap shot past New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist late in the third period of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, scoring a goal that gave the Capitals a 2-1 victory and catapulted them to the second round for the first time since 1998, the season Fedorov's Detroit Red Wings swept Washington in the Stanley Cup finals.

Although Fedorov had lost a step from his younger days -- he amassed 56 goals and 120 point en route to capturing the Hart Trophy as the MVP in 1994 as a Red Wing -- the Capitals hoped to bring him back next season because of his leadership and his knack for scoring big goals with his scintillating shot.

But the Capitals only wanted Fedorov back if he would accept less than the $4 million he earned last season when he was limited to 52 games and finished with 11 goals and 33 points, his lowest total in a decade.

McPhee had planned to begin negotiations on an extension for Fedorov next week upon returning from the draft. Those negotiations, it appears, won't ever begin.

Fedorov's agent, Pat Brisson, did not return a phone call yesterday. But he reportedly told Canadian-based TSN.ca that Fedorov "wanted to fulfill his father's life-long wish of seeing his sons play on the same team."