Nogood

Fedorov's "A" game was for three seasons 13 years ago. Although he did come on in the playoffs, he took the regular season off. Datsyuk plays every game 100% and the playoffs. Not to mention, like ive shown above, Fedorov's personal accomplished are all going to be eclipsed by Datsyuk this season if he can pull off a Cup win and possibly a Smythe. Fedorov got five seasons in one of the highest scoring eras of all time, coincidentally all of his "fluff" happened during that time period too.

Brad Richards is the best comparison to the Zetterberg situation we'll ever see. Second best forward on team, goes on a tear in the playoffs and wins a Smythe. After, said forward is highest paid player on the team, while still playing second fiddle. Oh and Wings fans, just like Tampa fans are more than willing to throw the bank at the player to keep them in their uniform.

Detroit goalies, lately, have had the best gig in hockey. Two Selke nominees/winners, complete puck possession and twenty shots a game. Up until this season, thats been the case for nearly a decade. The goalies deserve as much, if not more criticism then they get.

Fedorov's entire career is 1993, whats your point? Is he better than Lidstrom too? Or is it just that the 93-94 team was a weak, middle of the pack team that Fedorov stuck out on? If Fedorov had Datsyuk's season last year, he wouldn't have been nominated either, its all relative to the team a player is on. The second Washington becomes a regular contender Ovechkin won't be winning the Hart or Pearson.

Fedorov topped 100 points twice and scored over a PPG 5 times, one being the lockout season. After he signed his huge contract in 97, he only scored over 82 points once. Datsyuk in comparison has yet to score 100 points but had 97 last season and is on pace for 99. Hes scored over a PPG 4 times in his career. Fedorov's best season, he scored 120 points, won the Hart, Selke and Pearson. This happened in a higher scoring era and when the Wings were just another run of the mill team. Its really comparable to Ovechkin and Washington now. Hes playing spectacular, there for all of the awards are thrown at him. A guy like Datsyuk CAN"T win the Hart because of the team he plays on. So really, if Datsyuk wins the Selke again this season and possibly a cup than I think its up in their air as to which player has/was more important to the team. Id like to see how 99 points in today's game compares to points in 1993-94.

It was a joke.... The only way Z gets this privilege is if he takes a Datsyuk deal clone. All of this discussion of the economy and investing is pointless. There will always be a better offer, if not multiple offers from other teams.

It has nothing to do with mlive, I could have used any hockey news site. The fact that any of you take a news article to heart just shows the blind faith in this team. I'll go with what ive seen from Ken Holland interviews and his hesitance to even act as if contract negotiations are even close. Simple questions: - Would Zetterberg ever come out and say that he wants XXXX amount per season? - Would Zetterberg confirm or just "No comment" the reports of him turning down $80 million? The media is a tool in contract negotiations, public opinion of the fans is something that the organization focuses on. If they can force Z's hand by getting the media to say that he turned down said contract, than he'll do it. But of course, its all crazy. It would never happen, Z is going to sign for $6.7 mill, Franzen will sign for $3 mill and everyone will live happily ever after. Or.... We could just look at the last player who won the Smythe in his contract season..

Its simple, Holland or some other person in the Wings front office leaked that Z turned down $75 million over ten years. They're in the process of negotiating and its another tool to help in negotiations. Whether or not its true is irrelevant. Z HAD to deny it or the fans would have turned on him in a second, just as they did the day the report was issued. How can he not deny it, even if his intentions were to sign for less? Relatively speaking, for $7.5 million a season, Zetterberg has only had one decent season. $7.5 mill a year isn't PPG money, its superstar money. Z's best season was last year and more than the best season we'll ever see from him unless hes reunited with Datsyuk.. Players don't go on 40 game slumps, Z has been exposed for what he is. A great two-way player, possible Selke winner who can score 80 points. Which is fine but its not worth that much per season. Z will be in his late 30s when his contract is up and its possible that Datsyuk may not even be on this team. Give Z a three year deal, 24 million dollar deal. Locking great players up is fine but we can't lockup our entire roster in long contracts with NTC. A shorter contract gives Z the incentive to perform.

Illitch should just give him $65 million the first season. Hes the future captain after all, time to break the piggy bank.

And you're delusional if you think that mlive articles are 100% truth filled. Why would Zetterberg not deny wanting $7.5 for ten? Why would Hossa reveal his desire to sign? Its a business and none of you can grasp that. If Z thinks he can make $10 million more on the open market, he'll probably do it.

Everyone of your points, i'll just say: Source? You're sure that Z will sign for $7 million and ten years, even though there has been nothing but speculation in the media. Theres no concrete evidence for any of this. Ten years is five years too long for Z. Hell, even that is too long. Sign him for three years at $8 or more. Theres no reason for him to get 10 years and more than likely a NTC, its idiotic. While we're at it, lets just lock this entire lineup in for the next decade, front load every contract we'll save in the end! These long contracts only work if the player stays at their current pace or play better. Which is why everyone is bitching about Flip and his contract. What happens if Z gets hurt or his production stays were it is? Really want to tie a ten year anchor around this team if hes only going to play like an all star when playing with Datsyuk?

Whats so funny about it? Hossa has made it clear he wants to sign ASAP. Zetterberg is dragging his feet for a Lecavalier style contract, which he won't get unless he goes UFA. Are you guys worrying because the anointed "Messiah" isn't the golden boy you thought he was? Z won't be taking Datsyuk or Lidstrom money. Franzen will get Malone money. Hossa already turned down $90 million to play on this team and he wanted to get traded here last season. Its obvious which player wants to be on this team the most.

Why is Fedorov's ability to play D being brought up? Datsyuk has never been tested but its easy to assume that the reigning Selke winner, who is faster than Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Stuart, Lilja and Chelios could play D on this team. The only reason Fedorov ever played D was punishment from Bowman. He played for the Caps this season because their entire blue line was decimated with injuries. Datsyuk hits harder than any of our top six forwards, id imagine he could hold his own playing D. But, if he were moved back, our offense would be non-existent. The real question should be, "Which player is more important to their teams"?

Rick Dipietro says "hello!". Hes holding out for UFA and Holland knows it. Franzen will do the same and Hossa will make himself the easiest available to sign.

Eva is so anti-Datsyuk its insane. Every thread that praises Datsyuk, the very few that actually popup, he runs him down and gives a long argument about how he shouldn't have won his Selke. This season and last will go down as two of the best for a Wings forward ever. Nearly 200 points, 2 lady byngs, more than likely two Selkes, a cup and the possibility of a second. To answer the question of the thread, Fedorov was my favorite player until 2002, when you know who came into the league. Fedorov in 2002 was unbelievable but Datsyuk is better currently. I think we'll see that the first ten years of Datsyuk will be better than any decade Fedorov played with the Wings.