Details on a Michigan bank suing Sergei Fedorov

From Tarik-El Bashir of the Washington Post:

Sergei Fedorov is being sued by a Michigan bank that says the Washington Capitals center has failed to pay more than $2 million in loans taken out four years ago.

According to a lawsuit filed Monday in Macomb County (Mich.) Circuit Court, Fedorov owes Citizens State Bank more than $2.1 million on two separate loans -- one for $1.75 million and another for $500,000. The first loan was made in December 2004, the second in April 2005.

Read the entire article here.

Why on earth was Sergei Fedorov taking out loans???????????

Capitals re-sign Brooks Laich and Fedorov

From Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post:

Forward Brooks Laich has avoided arbitration and re-signed with the Caps for three seasons. Laich will earn $1.7 million, $2.1 million and $2.4 million.

Read the entire report here.

From TSN:

The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Sergei Fedorov to a one-year $4 million contract.

Read the entire report here.

Laich's contract seems like a reasonable deal for both sides, but how on earth did Fedorov net $4 million for one season? He hasn't been even close to his former self for about five years now and produces at a level that would warrant something a lot closer to $3 million.

Has Fedorov re-signed in Washington?

From Katie Carrera of the Washington Post:

AOL Fanhouse has posted a quote from KHL President Alexander Medvedev's who says Sergei Fedorov is not joining the Kontinental Hockey League because he will resign with Washington today. Such a report is premature according to Captials officials, though, who said the team is still in negotiations with Fedorov, that an agreement has not yet been reached and an there is no expected announcement.

Read the entire entry from Capitals Insider here.

Both sides seem adamant on getting a deal done. So, although the deal isn't official, it seems as good as done.

Capitals want Fedorov back

From Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post:

"We've talked to Sergei," McPhee said. "He wants to come here and is
willing to wait until some of the dust settles. We'll continue to talk to him,
but we're pretty confident that we'll get something done here."

Read the entire article here.

The Capitals liked the way Fedorov fit into their team late last season and would like to bring the former star back for another season. Whether another team gives Fedorov more money than the Caps is another story. I suspect he will return to Washington for the 2008/09 season, but wouldn't be shocked if he landed elsewhere.

Are the Devils pursuing the Fedorov brothers?

From Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice:

Fedorov, a 27-year-old center, is the younger brother of Sergei Fedorov. He got in 18 total NHL games with the Rangers and Vancouver earlier in his career. He played last season for Moscow Dynamo in Russia and put up 12 goals and 13 assists in 49 games. It appears he's destined to play in Lowell of the AHL.

"We'll see," Lamoriello said. "He's a big, strong kid. We'll see how he does."

I asked Lamoriello about the rumors about him being interested Sergei Fedorov, a 38-year-old center who finished up last season with Washington, but he would not comment on that.

Read the entire post here.

Wouldn't be a bad move for the Devils who clearly intend on competing for the Cup next season. The team has already signed two veteran forwards (Rolston and Holik) and signing Sergei Fedorov would be a solid move considering his two-way ability. As for his brother, well, if it isn't a package deal then I would probably take a pass.

Fedorov apparently asking for $4 million per season

From Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post:

It's believed that Fedorov is seeking around $4 million per year, which is about
$2 million more than the Caps are comfortable offering. There could be some
bonuses involved (one a year deal) in order to close some of the gap.

Read the entire article here.

If anyone pays Sergei Fedorov $4 million per season, they should be drug tested immediately.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. The San Jose Sharks players are asking management to keep the team together for another run.
2. Canadiens GM Bob Gainey is looking to add a forward to the mix.
3. Hockey Canada honours the 1976 Canada Cup team, at a ceremony in Canada.
4. Darren Dreger notes that the Dallas Stars will have to physically target the Wings' defense.
5. Adam Proteau comments on Jim Balsillie and Elisha Cuthbert.
6. Ken Campbell says that history dictates we will see a Pittsburgh-Detroit final.
7. Jaromir Jagr hopes to remain a Ranger.
8. The Sabres are for sale, but will not be moved. The Sabres also signed Nathan Gerbe.
9. Jeremy Roenick says that he will return to the Sharks next season.
10. The Capitals will consider signing Sergei Fedorov.
11. Hockey players have become the toast of celebrity gossip. Just ask my wife!
12. Joining tens of other people, Brad Stuart says he enjoys Detroit.
13. John Buccigross discusses hockey guys.
14. John Tavares fires his agent and hires his mother.
15. Al Strachan believes Ron Wilson's days are numbered in San Jose.
16. Jim Matheson answers readers' questions.
17. Craig Conroy faces an uncertain future in Calgary.
18. Confessions of a hockey virgin.
19. Damien Cox says the current Flyers are channeling the Broad Street Bullies.
20. The weekly release from the USHL.
21. The draft order has been set.
22. Norway continues the climb to respectability at the World Championships.
23. The weekly Junior Report.
24. Memorial Cup history, 1940.
25. Stan Fischler predicts a Flyers-Stars Stanley Cup final.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Pierre Lebrun previews the playoff picture.
2. An update from the CHL.
3. The weekly release from the USHL.
4. This is what I assume a Calgary Flames practice looks like, only with less manliness.
5. EJ Hradek looks at the top stories from last night.
6. Are you sitting around thinking, "Man, I wish I could ogle some girls who have a slight affiliation with hockey and then judge them."? If so, your wildest dream just came true.
7. Want to know all about the SM-Liiga? Its your lucky day.
8. The latest Hockey News Top 10 lists looks at who really puts out on the road.
9. NHL Agent Rand Simon with his thoughts on the game.
10. It looks like Chad Kilger will not be playing for the Panthers.
11. A look at Boston U. forward Colin Wilson, projected to go in the 1st round of this year's NHL entry draft.
12. Ken Hitchcock remains optimistic about Columbus' playoff hopes.
13. Don Cherry hearts hockey moms.
14. Brent Sutter is being considered for the head coaching job for the 2010 Olympics.
15. Kind of an old post, but check out the Top 10 Don Cherry Suits.
16. Play the NHL player guessing game.
17. Sergei Fedorov's family may be psychic.
18. Mike Brophy profiles a bunch of players who are quietly having a good season.
19. Damien Cox with a list of playoff matchups he wants to see.
20. INCH thinks that the Hobey is Kevin Porter's to lose.
21. Eric McErlain wonders who is the best player in the NHL.
22. Victor Chi looks at the game's top snipers.
23. Just because I am bored, here is another chance to judge pretty girls. This time its for hottest individual ice tart.
24. Its been a good day for hockey tarts.
25. Joe Pelletier's blog looks at goaltending innovators.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. This is a little old now, but check out the hockey lookalikes.
2. Marian Hossa admits that the chances of him staying in Atlanta are very slim.
3. John McGourty calls Modano and Roenick national treasures, presumably for their hair and mouth respectively. No word on Nicolas Cage's continuing search for both players.
4. Sportsnet needs your votes on a variety of questions.
5. News from the East Coast Hockey League.
6. Rod Brind'Amour is out 4-6 months with a torn ACL.
7. News and notes from the WCHA.
8. Jeff Gordon (no, not that Jeff Gordon) profiles the top young talent in the NHL.
9. Taking Note gives us a run down of who holds influence in the WHL.
10. Another article about possible Canadian expansion into NCAA hockey.
11. Scott Burnside is of the opinion that the Rangers can improve themselves by dealing Jagr.
12. Allan Muir of SI gives us his Inside the NHL column.
13. Thermablade has expanded its testing efforts in the NHL.
14. Eric Duhatschek with an excellent article about what it takes to win in the NHL.
15. Mathew Barnaby said there was a limit to the trash talking he would do.
16. Joe O'Connor catches up with Wendel Clark.
17. Habs old-timers are not impressed with the shenanigans of the current team. Shenanigans.
18. Ken Campbell says the Islanders have some tough decisions to make come deadline day.
19. Sam McCaig sees GT's in the Oilers future, but is lacking in knowledge of provincial drinking ages.
20. Mark Seidel previews the 16-30 picks in the upcoming draft.
21. Wicked Wrister calls for an end to the shootout. Illegal Curve advocates a 3 on 3 OT following 5 minutes of 4 on 4.
22. Puck That Hit, a lone voice of sanity, calls for a restriction on Mats Sundin stories.
23. Pierre Lebrun captures the essence of the blatantly obvious when he notes that Brind'Amour's injury has caused a change of plans in Carolina.
24. There is some speculation that Sergei Fedorov could return to the Red Wings.
25. Some Finn discusses how the NHL is viewed in Europe.

Afternoon Roster News

Here are some notes and tidbits that may be of interest to fans and poolies:

• Peter Schaeffer (shin) is close to returning to the Boston line-up.
• Aaron Ward (throat) is going to be re-evaluated today and his availability for Saturday night's game is currently undetermined.
• Nikolai Zherdev (knee) didn't skate at Columbus practice but is expecting to play on Friday night.
• Sergei Fedorov (concussion) skated at practice today, but didn't take part in any contact drills.
• Patrick Marleau (groin) is a game-time decision for tonight's game against Edmonton.
• Joe Thornton (flu) will suit up tonight.
• Paul Stastny (groin) hasn't skated in the past couple days and his return date is unknown. (Writer's note: It looks like Stastny got injured while rehabbing from his appendectomy.)
• Brett Clark (shoulder) is out for the season.
• Brian Rafalski (groin) will miss Friday night's game.
• Kevin Bieksa (lacerated calf) skated with his teammates on Thursday but his return date is yet to be determined.
• It looks like Tim Gleason (flu) and Joe Corvo (flu) will miss tonight's game for Carolina.
• Brett Hedican (lower-body injury) is also out for Carolina.
• Niklas Backstom will start for the Wild tonight.
• Sean Hill (healthy scratch) will not be in the line-up tonight for Minnesota.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Tonights Linkage

In the news tonight

• Steve Downie, suspended for 20 games in the NHL, was sent down to the AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms
• With the success of the Kings/Ducks game in London. Sidney Crosby may be headed to Prague next year
• ESPN's Scott Burnside gives his review of the NHL's visit to London
• While Ray Emery is not feeling confident about his surgically repaired wrist in NHL competition, Martin Gerber has stepped in and feeling more comfortable every day
• 38 year old Sergei Fedorov will be the no. 1 centre for the Blue Jackets. Remember when this guy was winning Hart Trophies and was one of the best players in the world?
  
• Sports Illustrated's Allan Muir wants to keep the NHL in Europe a once a year event
• USA Today's Kevin Allen gives 10 reasons why the Penguins will win the Stanley Cup