Kevin Allen, president of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and columnist for USA Today, agreed to answer a few questions regarding the trade deadline and this whole Fedorov situation.  Our questions and his replies are below.

A2Y:  What’s the likelihood of a Wings’ deal for Fedorov, and how much of a return would Columbus expect?

Kevin Allen: The Blue Jackets haven’t even decided to deal him quite yet, and Fedorov has been slow to come back from his concussion. The Blue Jackets aren’t going to undertake a massive sell-off if they are still in the playoff race. I believe the Red Wings are looking at Fedorov, but they are looking at several forwards around the league. The Blue Jackets are going to try to get a first-round pick and a prospect, or a highly regarded prospect and a “B” prospect, but the “buying” general managers are trying not to pay the high prices that teams paid last year. People talk about what Atlanta gave up for Keith Tkachuk, and Nashville gave up for Peter Forsberg and what the New York Islanders gave up for Ryan Smyth. But let’s not forget that Dallas gave up a first round pick and a prospect for Ladislav Nagy as well. I would think Fedorov would fetch as much

A2Y: Do you foresee chemistry as being an issue? Would he fit in the Wings’ room?

KA: The fans won’t boo him anymore, and the Red Wings are a veteran group and Sergei will be welcomed. Players don’t get hung up on those kinds of issues.

A2Y: Have you gotten a sense from anyone in the Detroit organization that a trade for Fedorov is being aggressively sought?

KA: GM Ken Holland aggressively explores all of his options. That’s why he is so successful. I think there is a decent chance Detroit can get him, but there are plenty of teams looking at Fedorov. For example, GM Bryan Murray likes him and would be interested in bringing him to Ottawa. The Canadiens are thought to be interested. If the price is too high, the Red Wings won’t overpay. And I think there are other players out there that would interest the Red Wings more.

A2Y: Ken Holland has said he’s not looking to make a “big splash”, yet the Wings have the cap room to do so. Is he hesitant to deal the prospects
or is he just not showing his hand?

KA: The Red Wings don’t want to give up their top prospects because they believe they have a core group that allows them to be highly competitive at least another three seasons. To be successful in a cap system, you have to have a strong feeder system.

A2Y: Who do you think the most likely teams to land Sundin (if dealt) would be? Jokinen?

KA: Anaheim will be among the frontrunners for Sundin, and don’t rule out Montreal. I think Florida would be crazy to deal Jokinen but if they do, Mike Keenan liked him a lot when he coached there. So I would say Calgary would be highly aggressive.

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Kevin’s also agreed to join us in the A2Y chat room to answer your questions some time in the future. I’ll let you know the details a few days beforehand.