Federov playing or not in the olympics?

[wingwop]

This will be an interesting weekend during the home and home between the wings and devils. This weekend will be used for Fetisov, (Russian Olympic Coach) to change Sergei's mind about sitting out the Olympics.

Sergei is reported to have decided to sit after the grueling schedule during the last olympics. He is stated as saying the wings are more important and his top priority right now. Close friends, i.e. Larionov (team member) are reported as saying that Sergei isn't a big fan of the beaurocracy involved with the team.
Sergei is also quoted as saying he respects Fetisov and looks forward to talking to him to find out ,"what the real deal is."
Expect confirmation early next week regarding his descision.

[P.J Stock]

Just got this off ESPN.com
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-- Detroit Red Wings center Sergei Fedorov will play for the Russian hockey team in the Olympics if he is healthy.


New Jersey Devils assistant coach Viacheslav Fetisov, who is also the general manager of the Russian team, said Saturday that he talked to Fedorov recently and the Red Wings star seemed to be preparing for the Olympics.


"We spoke yesterday before practice and he said he is getting ready," Fetisov said. "He said the only problem he's got right now is some injuries, but if he thinks he's going to be healthy enough, he's going to play."


Fedorov, who is among the NHL's top 10 scorers, was in team meetings before the Red Wings-Devils game Saturday night and wasn't immediately available for comment.


He has told several publications that he wants to decide before the end of the month whether to play at Salt Lake City in February.


Fetisov has convinced Red Wings center Igor Larionov to play for Russia.


"It has been a long time since Russia won the Olympics," Larionov said. "Slava asked me, and I took some time to think about it, and I couldn't refuse Slava."


Larionov will turn 41 on Monday.


"He belongs there and he deserves it," Fetisov said. "The only question from the beginning was how he's going to feel in a couple of months. He's played well lately."


Fetisov, Fedorov and Larionov were Red Wings' teammates from 1995-98, combining to win two Stanley Cups.


Larionov and Fetisov were teammates in the 1980s for the Central Russian Army team and the then-Soviet Union's National team.

[wingwop]

That's cool, he belongs there. I'm sure Larionov has been relentless hounding him.