MONTREAL — Sergei Fedorov, the NHL’s all-time leader in goals by a Russian-born player and a key veteran leader for the Washington Capitals, has decided to return home.
A team spokesman said Fedorov’s agent, Pat Brisson, notified the Capitals that his client has joined a team in the Kontinental Hockey League. According to several published reports in Russia, Fedorov signed a two-year contract with Magnitogorsk.
Once one of the game’s premier players during his time in Detroit, the 39-year-old Fedorov was acquired at the trade deadline during the 2007-08 season and was rejuvenated in Washington after spending time with Anaheim and Columbus.
This past season Fedorov had 11 goals and 33 points in 52 games for the Caps. He missed a lot of time with a frustrating ankle injury, but scored one of the most important goals in recent team history when he potted the game-winner in Game 7 of the first-round series against the New York Rangers.
The deal with Magnitogorsk reportedly is worth $3.8 million per season, which is far more than the Caps could afford to pay given their pending cap constraints. Fedorov will also have the chance to play with his younger brother, Fedor.
Washington is now short two top-six forwards with both Fedorov and Viktor Kozlov signing KHL contracts for next season.
• Corey Masisak can be reached at cmasisak@washingtontimes.com.
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