The Columbus Blue Jackets will be entering their 17th season as a NHL franchise this year, so we thought it’s about time we celebrate the 17 greatest Blue Jackets. This list won’t be filled with the best players per say, but rather the most impactful, durable, and lovable Jackets in our minds.
If you missed yesterday’s post, go back and check it out!
So without further ado, here is the 12th greatest Columbus Blue Jackets player in history…
#12 – Sergei Fedorov (C)
No. 12 is our first Hall of Fame inductee on the list. Sergei Fedorov might be the most underrated player in NHL history. Described as the best all-around skater of his time by many of the game’s greats, he is certainly a legend.
Wayne Gretzky said that Fedorov could play forward or defense and still be an elite player, a skill he noted that neither himself, Mario Lemieux or Jaromir Jagr could ever do. When injuries hit the Red Wings, Fedorov played defense for them. Pretty impressive for a guy that is 49th all-time on the points list.
Fedorov had speed, vision and an unmatched hockey sense. If he wasn’t a Russian, he could easily be considered a top ten player of all-time. He was the first European trained skater to win the Hart trophy and owns too many Detroit Red Wings records to list.
Fedorov came to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the twilight of his career. He came to Columbus in 2005 and stayed until 2008. He was 38 years old in his final season in Columbus with his good years behind him in Detroit and Anaheim.
In his three seasons he had 113 points in 185 games. Not bad for a guy that age playing with virtually no great players around him (sorry 05-08 Jackets). It would have been great to see 91 in Union Blue before he hit that age. If he was around earlier, he would find himself much higher on this list than #12.
Let’s watch some Fedorov highlights now!