Chris Osgood: To lose Fedorov to KHL is huge

 Craig Custance Blog, May 26, 2009:

Osgood doesn't like the trend.

"To lose those guys is huge. We have to figure out a way to keep guys like Sergei and Jagr and those great older veteran players, have them over here and find roles for them," Osgood said. "I think it's important to have older guys like that, that younger European players can look up to when they get over here and understand how to handle themselves on and off the ice. That's what guys like Igor Larionov did for him."

Fedorov played that role to perfection in Washington where he was a great veteran influence on players like Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin. When we spoke to him during the Pittsburgh series, he really seemed to enjoy the role and was energized by it. Fedorov can still play, and I'm with Osgood. Iit'd be too bad if we don't get to see it.

Meanwhile, according to SovSport.ru (May 27, 2009, tomorrow's edition), Gennadi Velichkin, general manager of Metallurg, declined to comment on Fedorov. He said, "I don't know where those rumors come from."

General manager of Salavat Yulaev Oleg Gross has confirmed that they continue to negotiate with Victor Kozlov, but said that it would be too early to say if Kozlov would play for his team next season. "Контракт с ним не подписан" -- "We haven't sign the contract with him."

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