Red Wings match offer to Fedorov

Hurricanes roster

"It's a commitment to winning," Detroit general manager Ken Holland said. "We know what an important role Sergei has had in the success of this franchise. He's a tremendous hockey player, an exciting hockey player. It's all about commitment to put a winning hockey team on the ice."

Sands held an arbitration hearing Wednesday night regarding the offer sheet by the Hurricanes to the Russian star, who has not played all season because of a contract dispute with the Red Wings.

Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford remained confident after the hearing saying he was certain that Hurricanes' offer sheet to Fedorov is in compliance with the coolective bargaining agreement.

Hurricanes' offer gives Fedorov this year a $14 million signing bonus, $2 million in salary and a $12 million bonus if the teams he is on makes the Conference finals. It is very much more likely that the Red Wings make it that far in the playoffs than Carolina and this point was the sole cause for arbitration.

If Detroit matches and advances to the Conference finals they would have to pay Fedorov a whopping $28 million for four months work.

"The total amount is certainly in line with the top players in hockey," Holland said. "The difficult part is the up-front money. But if you look at the (total), it's not really out of line with the top players in the league."