Out of all active players who would you say is most similar to Fedorov?

[Ulysses31]

Barkovs brain in Nylander’s body

thought of nylander too for the seemingly effortless skating, skill, and looking pretty on the ice.

fedorov better 2-way game and versatility.

 

[GMR]

Dylan Larkin of course………….

 

[crusen86]

Makar?

 

[Master P]

He was my favorite player growing up.

But as others have said, there really isn't a comparable player currently playing.

I feel like it would have to be some combination of Malkin, Barkov and Nylander.

Here are some highlights in case people need a refresher.

 

[Whaddagoal]

Great thread question.

I don't think we've have a single player in the league currently that is like Sergei Fedorov.

I think right now yould need multiple players to merge into one fedorov

Skating power was more like Kovalchuck or Ovechkin in their youth/early primes. MacKinnon has the speed and power in his skating but not Fedorovs finesse.

Jesper Bratt has his skating/edge work and some of the hands but not the size/power nor shot.


Defensively Kopitar, Barkov and Hischier are closer, but offensively Fedorov was more explosive and gifted offensively.

Maybe Kucherov, but a bigger version of him would be closer, who can skate like Jesper Bratt, but has the defensive skills of Barkov or Hischier.

Mix pieces of Luke Hughes, Kucherov, Jesper Bratt, and Barkov/Hischier, and a guy who can shoot it, take your pick.

You get a guy like Sergei Fedorov.

Man I miss that guy and the old days when he was a beast.

I'm not saying you need all those to equal his talent, he just had a super unique combo that we havent seen in forever. Skating (edge work and power), shot, two way abilities, but elite offensive skills, finesse, and decent size and highish hockey iq

Basically all the key ingredients be an elite player at most of the facets of the game

 

[MarkusNaslund19]

In the neutral and offensive zone, Kuznetsov was as close as it gets.

In the defensive zone... uh, let's just say, not Kuznetsov.

Agreed. I always said that Kuznetsov looked a lot like Fedorov with the puck on his stick.

And that Kucherov looks a lot like Mogilny.

In terms of current players it's gotta be a superior two way player who is fast and not too big (Barkov is too big for the comparison).

There isn't much in the way of direct comparison. I would say Roope Hintz when he's at the absolute top of his game at times, or Elias Pettersson when he's at the top of his. But neither are particularly similar to the eye-test.

 

[Craig Ludwig]

No one really, but if you have to choose one it would be Barkov

 

[Stephen]

From a mechanics, skating and puck handling perspective I almost want to say Martin Necas. Just that slighter frame plus the way he moves reminds me of Fedorov at times.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Barkov/Kopitar

 

[Killakirillthethrill]

I was thinking Aho, but obviously not as good defensively or quite as explosive.

 

[jalapenoWithAnH]

Agreed. I always said that Kuznetsov looked a lot like Fedorov with the puck on his stick.

And that Kucherov looks a lot like Mogilny.

In terms of current players it's gotta be a superior two way player who is fast and not too big (Barkov is too big for the comparison).

There isn't much in the way of direct comparison. I would say Roope Hintz when he's at the absolute top of his game at times, or Elias Pettersson when he's at the top of his. But neither are particularly similar to the eye-test.

It's funny how many people seem to find similarities in other Russian players. Even Barkov is partly Russian.

I wonder if the reason for similar type of players coming from Russia is the way they train their players or maybe it has to do with genetic makeup even.

One another player that comes to mind is Kaprizov who, again, is Russian. He is really good skater and can handle puck quite well. Not sure about his defensive side.

 

[Ignatius]

Barkov

 

[jalapenoWithAnH]

I was thinking Aho, but obviously not as good defensively or quite as explosive.

What about the man in your profile picture?

 

[tarheelhockey]

It's funny how many people seem to find similarities in other Russian players. Even Barkov is partly Russian.

I wonder if the reason for similar type of players coming from Russia is the way they train their players or maybe it has to do with genetic makeup even.

One another player that comes to mind is Kaprizov who, again, is Russian. He is really good skater and can handle puck quite well. Not sure about his defensive side.

Since you’ve opened that door, I’ll walk through it — the actual best comparable was Datsyuk. Very high, but somewhat short peak as a highlight reel scorer with Selke-level defense. Both a bit difficult to rate within their generations, generally not regarded as true generational players but they peaked close to that level.

 

[ManofSteel55]

Fedorov is similar to Barkov but with much better skating

This was my first thought too. You can't compare the offensive impact, so it isn't a great comparable, but its probably the closest one we have.

 

[GMR]

Makar?

He sucks at faceoffs.

 

[GMR]

Since you’ve opened that door, I’ll walk through it — the actual best comparable was Datsyuk. Very high, but somewhat short peak as a highlight reel scorer with Selke-level defense. Both a bit difficult to rate within their generations, generally not regarded as true generational players but they peaked close to that level.

Yes, an obvious comparison because they're both Russians and Detroit players who were two-way centers.

Beyond that, Fedorov was a much better skater than Datsyuk. Also, a better goal scoring toolbox. Datsyuk had an underrated shot but wasn't ever a great scorer.

Mike Modano is probably the closest comparison for me. Not a Selke winner, but very good defensively with blazing speed and a scoring touch. Both players sacrificed offensive numbers for defense during their team's greatest success periods, which happened to occur in the DPE.

 

[Killakirillthethrill]

What about the man in your profile picture?

No doubt about it theyre similar players, both have elite playmaking ability, are both superb skaters, both can be clutch. Fedorov is much more trusted in crunch time especially defensively, and can win you a low scoring playoff type game, meanwhile Kaprizov is much more effective with open ice and using finesse to take over games. Federov played all situations, and was more defensively aware then Kap.

Offensively they're on point though, love the enthusiasm!

 

[TD Charlie]

For me, Kopitar comes closest, while at the same time not being all that close.

 

[Cats2TheCup]

Damn. So Barkov is Federov + Lemieux

He’s finally properly rated

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Fedorov is my all time favourite player.

I don't think there is one player, maybe a hybrid of Makar and Barkov?

 

[winnipegger]

Prime Kopitar was a beast at both ends of the ice.

 

[sbhnur]

MacKinnon came to mind mainly when talking about dominating offensive zone. When people say Fedorov dominated the ice I think they mean his ability to cover large areas fast while maintaining the puck. MacKinnon has similar ability but he is in a sense more physical force so maybe that's what you meant.

Draisaitl imo is even farther away than MacK because he is slower and is more like Matthews type of finisher/sniper who is good at positioning and doing slick passes.

Fedorov was a great skater and that played a big part in his dominance. I don't see much of that type of athleticism in Draisaitl who looks more like a productive version of Rantanen. Kucherov is closer in when it comes to skating but I feel like he doesnt nail the dominating large parts of ice part.

When Kucherov is on his game he is really dominating which his vision, stick handling and anticipation. He's a lot closer to Federov than MacKinnon - as player type.
I get the MacK comparison if you just meant the ability to dominate the o-zone. But both players use totally different tools to execute.

Federov was a much smoother skater than all current players you can compare him to. The combination of elite offense and defense IQ and awareness is a very rare breed

 

[AvroArrow]

Erik Karlsson...pre Achilles injury.

Can't honestly think of anyone close with the same speed, edge-work, puck handling, and shot. But that's as close as I could get with the current player base.

Think you missed the part about being able to defend

Pavel Datsyuk was maybe the more comparable player we've seen since. I can't really think of any active player who compares. Maybe prime Kopitar ?

 

[sting101]

The answer is no one at this time really replicates him that well in all aspects

Skating - i would say Nylander has the speed and smoothness somewhat replicated once moving. Ehlers reminds me of the way he could explode weave and transition from stand still to absolutely flying....so a combo of those 2 which was pretty insane

Shot and stick handling was pretty similar to Kyle Connor with a less upright stance

Defensively - yes Barkov sort of comes to mind just for the positioning and effectiveness but he wasn't nearly as big and wasn't able to just lean on guys or out power them. Larkin Hischier Cirelli come to mind stylistic but then add the above skating to the equation and he would just track down and then out maneuver guys to take pucks away or transition

It's really too bad that players like Fedorov Sundin Iginla Bure Modano Forsberg played their primes in the dead puck era....it was a golden age like today but with less teams. The combo of goonery and hooking/holding ruined a lot of the effectiveness and enjoyment of watching such amazing players