You could say the Windsor Spitfires forward Andrei Loktionov is a student of the game.

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Former Detroit Red Wings player Vladimir Konstantinov (C) poses with (L-R) Viacheslav Fetisov #2, Dmitri Mironov #15, Vyacheslav Kozlov #13 and Igor Larionov #8 of the Red Wings following game four of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Washington Capitals in 1998.

Photograph by : Getty

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"He loves watching hockey on the dish," Spitfires coach Bob Boughner said of his club's Russian forward.

"Even old hockey tapes."

His favourite footage?

Not surprisingly, it's games involving the highly-skilled Detroit Red Wings.

"I like to watch 10 years ago when Detroit had the Russian Five (of Sergei Fedorov, Igor Larionov, Slava Kozlov, Viacheslav Fetisov and Vladimir Konstantinov)," said Loktionov, whose family is close to Larionov.

"I am learning a lot from them, watching the way they played. I enjoying watching games from those times. What I enjoy about being in Windsor is that it is close to the Red Wings. I am trying to go to as many of their matches as I can.

"I enjoy watching them play. They are one of the best teams in the league, too."

When he's not watching hockey, Loktionov can usually be found catching up on the goings-on in his homeland.

"He's got himself a laptop," Boughner said. "He's on all kinds of Russian websites."

LILJA'S STATUS UNKNOWN The Red Wings admit they have no idea when defenceman Andreas Lilja, who suffered a concussion last Saturday while fighting Nashville's Shea Weber, will be able to play again.

"It appears he's a ways away," Detroit GM Ken Holland said. "With a concussion, all you can do is wait for the player to get healthy. Obviously it's a concern."

The Columbus Blue Jackets, who play the Wings tonight at Joe Louis Arena, activated defenceman Rostislav Klesla and ex-Leaf Fredrik Modin from injured reserve.

LEAFS LOSERS Gord Miller of TSN believes the biggest loser among the Canadian National Hockey League teams on trade deadline day was the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"The Toronto Maple Leafs are the least improved team because they didn't get the price they wanted (for their players)," Miller said.

"The market just was not there. The state of today's economy and the salary cap were huge issues today because teams had to be aware of their budgets and no one really knows what their budget will be going forward."

ICE CHIPS Former Windsor Spitfires forward Cory Stillman returned to the Florida Panthers' lineup after missing three games with a leg injury after being struck with a shot . . . The Calgary Flames anticipate being without winger Todd Bertuzzi for a month after the ex-Wing underwent knee surgery . . . The Anaheim Ducks have now removed a dozen players from their roster who were part of the club's 2007-08 Stanley Cup win . . . Pittsburgh played newcomers Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz on a line with captain Sidney Crosby in Thursday's huge 4-1 win over Florida . . . When Tom Poti went down injured in the warm-up, ex-Wing Sergei Fedorov was forced to drop from centre back to defence during Washington's 2-1 loss Thursday to Toronto.