With the NHL lockout coming to an end, most of the league's players that played overseas have made their way back home to prepare for the start of training camp next week.
For Ruslan Fedotenko, it was sort of a dual homecoming when he joined his Flyers' teammates on the ice at practice for the first time in a decade.
"I'm excited to be a part of this organization again," said Fedotenko, who turns 34 on January 18. "I started my career here. I believe I have some fans here, hopefully."
Fedotenko recorded 62 points in two seasons with the Flyers in '00-'01 and '01-'02.
He moved on to the Tampa Bay Lightning for four seasons before playing for the New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and, for the last two seasons, the New York Rangers. He won the Stanley Cup in '04 with the Lightning and in '09 with the Penguins.
The veteran forward got to experience a very successful season for the Rangers last year as well, as they finished first in the Eastern Conference with 109 points.
"You know, we had pretty good success against [the Flyers] last year. I don't want to talk about that too much," joked Fedotenko when he spoke with reporters yesterday.
After switching sides in the rivalry, you can certainly see why.
The Rangers swept the Flyers last season, winning all six contests between the two teams. That includes the Winter Classic on New Years Day, in which the Rangers won 3-2 at Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia.
Despite the success the Rangers had in his two-year tenure in New York, the Ukrainian forward feels like the Flyers have just as good of a chance to win the Stanley Cup in 2013.
"[This is] a team that has a good chance to compete in the playoffs and for the Cup," said Fedotenko.
"Call me greedy, but I want to win another cup. I want to experience that again."
The Flyers, who Vegas pegs as the team with the fourth-best chances to win the Cup, should certainly be in the running for hockey's biggest prize. Fedotenko will provide veteran leadership and a decent offensive touch, but where does he fit in with this team?
The early bets place him on the team's third line with budding second-year forwards Sean Couturier and Matt Read. His experience, both on and off the ice, could certainly be useful for both promising sophomore Flyers.
His spot in the team's locker room just happens to be located right next to 20-year-old Couturier.
“I don’t know if it’s a coincidence,’’ Fedotenko said. “Maybe not. I will try to help the young guys to learn if they want to learn. I’m not the kind of player who will say ‘listen to me.’ It’s more lead by example in certain things."
Hopefully Fedotenko can lead by example on the way to his third Stanley Cup ring.
C.J. Burns is a contributor for Buzz on Broad. Follow him on Twitter @CJBurns215
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