Sparring Detroit Red Wings Hall of Famers are in a war of the words
A pair of former Hall of Famers with the Detroit Red Wings are engaged in a war of the words with one another.
They're both Hockey Hall of Famers, but right now they're engaged in a spat with one another thanks to the ongoing complicated international situation.
Former Czech Detroit Red Wings forward Vaclac Nedomansky and defenseman Slava Fetisov, 1/5 of the "Russian 5", are in a public standoff of words; the former issued a cold assessment of Russia, while the latter understandably lept to his nation's defense.
As reported by the Russian website Gazeta.ru., https://detroithockeynow.com/2025/01/19/war-of-words-between-red-wings-hall-of-famers-fetisov-nedomansky/#google_vignette the nation of Russia as "primitive".
«In my opinion, Russians, with the exception of some outstanding writers and composers, are a primitive nation. It has always been like that, and it became especially noticeable after 1918. There was no respect for human life.»
It wasn't long before Fetisov shot right back.
Yes, he is an open anti-Soviet, the first to flee to Canada. It is unclear why he kept silent for so long.
Fetisov then suggested that Nedomansky needs psychiatric treatment, and sarcastically offered free treatment in Russia for him.
We need to open a clinic for them for free treatment here, because it is probably expensive abroad. Let him come, we will cure him here.
Nedomansky played for the Red Wings from 1977 to 1982, while Fetisov played for the Red Wings from 1995 to 1998, helping them win back-to-back Stanley Cups. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019.
Fetisov was also injured in the limousine accident that nearly claimed the life of fellow defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov; he wasn't seriously injured and played the following year.
He's gotten into politics, serving as the Russian Minister of Sport under controversial President Vladimir Putin; he's also a member of the Supreme Council of the United Russia Party, the current Russian ruling political party.
