Report: Fedorov to Return to Russia

As was relayed late last night by Sean Leahy at Puck Daddy, Russia's Sport Express is reporting that Washington Capitals free agent center Sergei Fedorov won't re-sign with the club, and will instead opt for a two-year deal with the KHL's Metallurg Magnitogorsk for $3.8 million per season.

The report, if accurate -- and that's always a question in situations like these -- would come as something of a disappointment to Washington's fan base, as Fedorov became a local favorite after being imported from Columbus at the trade deadline in 2008.

More or less rescued from obscurity with the Blue Jackets by the deal, Fedorov quickly developed solid relationships in the locker room, especially with his younger Russian teammates, wingers Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin. That was in obvious evidence at the 2008 IIHF World Championship when the three played together on a line that dominated the tournament offensively, while leading Russia to a gold medal.

If Fedorov does depart for home, the highlight of his stretch with the Capitals has to be the game-winning goal he scored in Game 7 of Washington's first round series with the Rangers, a tally that gave the Capitals their first playoff series victory since 1998. But while the 18-year NHL veteran may have won the hearts of the Washington fans in his short stay in the nation's capital, a more rational look at his overall game could lead you to conclude that he's lost more than a step, something that's apparent after you read an analysis of his season that ran this morning over at Japer's Rink.

Bringing back Fedorov at a salary comparable to the $4 million he earned this season was going to be difficult considering all the players that Washington needs to re-sign -- and that's before the team considers possible deals with Nicklas Backstrom and the aforementioned Semin that could very well be negotiated this offseason.

But again, these are all very big ifs. Late last night when I inquired with my own sources in Russian hockey, I couldn't get any independent confirmation that a deal had been signed. Stay tuned.