Back in the 2002 Draft in Toronto, the headlines blared that Tampa Bay general manager Jay Feaster had been fleeced when the Flyers dealt Ruslan Fedotenko to the Bolts for their first-round pick that everyone knew would be Joni Pitkanen.
Pitkanen, taken by the Flyers fourth overall, was labeled a cant miss Finnish defenseman who would change the Flyers the way that Janne Niinimaa couldnt.
More than a decade later, both players are well-traveled, yet the difference has been that the 33-year-old Fedotenko, from the Ukraine, has two Stanley Cups and saw his career rise, while Pitkanens leveled off.
On Thursday, the Flyers welcomed home a player they developed with the Phantoms then parted with (see story).
Fedotenko scored both goals in Game 7 in 2004 against Calgary to win the Cup for the Lightning. He played with Pittsburgh and Max Talbot in Game 7 when Talbot scored twice to win the Cup in Detroit in 2008.
Ever wonder what might have been if then Flyers general manager Bob Clarke had not traded him?
You know what, you always look back and see what journey you took, Fedotenko said Thursday night. I never looked at what if I never leftWhat if we won the Cup in Philly? I believe in whatever cards you are dealt at the time traded.
NHL
I was really appreciative of the Flyers giving me a chance to be in the NHL. I never looked back or thought it was bad deal or they trade me or they didnt want me.
I was maybe surprised, but Philly at that point maybe valued Pitkanen much greater, and his potential, the believe, it was I wouldnt say they were gambling, but they believed the reward would be much greater.
I dont want to get into all those details, but the GMs and the organization want to run the team a certain way and theyre looking for certain pieces and certain players to fit needs at that specific time.
I believe if they see different teams willing to trade a top pick for me and they thought that was a good deal, then thats when they pull the trigger. I can speak for myself, Im ecstatic to play in the NHL and have this career, and like I said, be on the winning teams, but Im not really bragging or thinking Im so glad Pitkanen didnt make it because it made me look better. Im not that way.
Funny how things work out.
Fedotenko, who has been in the league 11 years, played with Evgeni Malkin and Talbot as a Penguin and also Malkin and Pascal Dupuis.
His point production may be in decline, but he knows how to play with top end talent, is responsible in his own end, and figures to play with Talbot or perhaps even Claude Giroux as a Flyer.
That would be great, Fedotenko said. I learned to leave that up to coaches to do the coaching job. Its whatever lines I am put on, I will do my best.
I have been very lucky my whole career playing with peopleIve been playing with Max and Malkin when we won the Cup and had pretty good chemistry there.
I feel like maybe I come with a little bit of versatility. I feel like I can play more finesse game or I can play really defensive. I feel like I can adapt to many styles and like I said, Im looking forward to whoever the coaches decide to put me in with, Im excited to take on the challenge.
Fedotenko is very good in the dressing room, too. Much like Talbot, because hes won, he knows what to do as well as what to say to younger players.
The afternoon before Game 7 in Detroit in 2008, he sat in a ballroom at the MGM Grand Casino and talked about who would be the hero that night and what it meant to be a hero in 2004.
Things like that mean something in the playoffs. Thats why the Rangers wanted him.
What I bring to the team? Fedotenko asked. I bring maybe little different things than when I started my career. I have more experience. I have been through winning and not winning. I feel I still have physical play.
He said he developed that physical style under Bill Barber and never forgot it. He admitted wanting to remain in New York because the Rangers were Cup contenders.
When that wasnt possible, he asked his agent, Allan Walsh, to find him another Cup contender.
They chose the Flyers.
Its a pretty young team, he said.Who knew LA would win the Cup? You get to the playoffs and anything can happen.
Its already happened twice for Fedotenko. One more time would be a charm.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net