Fedorov: I want to believe we'll go far in playoffs

 SERGEI FEDOROV #91 - C
WASHINGTON
DOB: DEC 13, 1969
AGE: 38
PLACE OF BIRTH: PSKOV, USSR (NOW RUSSIA)
HT: 6-2 WT: 205
SHOOTS: L
NHL SEASONS: 17
DRAFTED BY DETROIT IN 1989 (4/74).

By Sinitsyn, SovSport.ru, Dec. 2, 2008:
This season Sergei Fedorov, the veteran who will turn 39 on December 13th, has played only 13 games. The number turned out unlucky for him, he injured his ankle and as a result he can't continue to show his full abilities this season. Despite his injury Sergei Fedorov flew with the team to Minnesota for the road game against the Wild. The veteran didn't go on ice, but was figuratively and literally sweating on a stationary bike. His face was covered with sweat and his right leg's ankle was tightly wrapped with elastic band.

How do you feel?
Thank you, everything is fine.

Fine? But you're not playing.
But I stay in shape. Could you wait for 5 minutes? Let me finish and then we'll talk.

Exactly 5 minutes later Fedorov got off the bike, wiped out the sweat with the towel and said, "I am ready, you can ask".

How serious is the injury?
I think that I will be playing soon. The leg is healing. It was a shame to get injured in a harmless situation. It was in the middle of the game against Carolina, I was going back to our zone to work on defense when my teammate leaned on my leg. At first I didn't pay attention to it, but on the next shift I went on the ice and shoot the puck with the emphasis on that leg and I immediately felt a sharp pain. I wasn't able to finish the game. It was stupid. But don't worry, I hope that I will be fine soon.

Do you have any plans after your contract with Washington will be over at the end of this season?
If I'll finish my career I have no plans. If not, I'd like to extend the contract for another year. I can't say right now with certainty what will happen. It would be nice to have a good season. I want to believe that we will go far in the playoffs. If, on the other hand, we'll have negative results, if the team will fail the season, the management certainly won't want to keep the same roster. Accordingly my chances to sign a new contract will be dramatically reduced. But I am not tired of hockey and don't want to hang my skates yet. The main thing is not to be hampered by the injuries. As of the rest, I am still ready to play both morally and physically.

Even at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver?
I don't look that far ahead. There's another season and a half to that. I think for the player of my age it is a very long time. We'll see how this season will end up for me. And after that you'll have to sign a new contract first.

With Washington? Or is there a likelihood of your return to Detroit where you've spent the best years of you career and won three Stanley Cups?
Ideally I want to stay in Washington. I like this team a lot. I never thought about my return to Detroit, I don't think about it and I won't think about it. This is a passed stage for me. There were the reasons why I left that wonderful city and that excellent team. And not too many people know about the circumstances... After the last game in Detroit I was asked at the press conference, "Are you already leaving the team?" See? Back then I had a feeling that nobody cared if I'd leave or stay. To be honest I've always had problems with signing my contracts with the Red Wings. There was one thing, then another... Not the most positive experience. In general I'd say we went opposite ways with Detroit. But let me repeat, let's not dig in the past.

Sergei Fedorov talks about his injury at capitals.nhl.com:

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