JeffBridges

The conclusion that is easily drawn is that Zetterberg has never outscored Datsyuk in a full season. When paired, Zetterberg's production increases, when separated it decreases. Datsyuk had a career season last year playing with Zetterberg, they were separated for half of the year and Datsyuk continued rolling, scoring at a higher pace than last years "career year". Put 2 and 2 together... Zetterberg's top end potential is 95 point, selke worthy hockey playing WITH Datsyuk. Datsyuk's top potential isn't known, hes improved every single season, who knows if this is his peak? But hes scoring at a higher rate than ever playing with anyone on his line, including Zetterberg for a short amount of time. Z isn't having an off year, hes playing exactly where he should be. 80 point, Selke hockey. Datsyuk is in another league, which is why the "Big 3" is now being called the "Big 4". Datsyuk scoring 105 points next season, baring injuries doesn't seem ridiculous. Zetterberg scoring 90 seems like a reach unless the Z-D-H line is reunited for a full season.

Like I said, the extra cash would be used for a guy like Bouwmeester, instead of Hossa. This team is built from the defense out but the defense is terrible and its not going to get any better without injecting new blood. Ericsson has done that somewhat but what happens when Lidstrom retires?

Game 6 of the 06-07 playoffs against the Ducks. Its the elimination game, wings win, they extend the series. Who scores two goals in the final three minutes to bring the Wings within one? It wasn't Zetterberg... it was Datsyuk. All of Zetterberg's "Big games' have come while playing on a line with Datsyuk... The only post lockout playoff series they didn't play on a line together was 05-06 against Edmonton, Datsyuk had a charlie horse, couldn't walk but still played. He was a monster defensively and Zetterberg scored 6 goals in 6 games. Thats the defining moment in Zetterberg vs Datsyuk. Ever since then, Datsyuk will always be considered second class, which is ridiculous, he was far from the reason they lost that series. Zetterberg has 5 GWGs in the playoffs, Datsyuk has 4. Zetterberg has 52 points in 62 games Datsyuk has 54 in 82. Of course, thats if you include the 2002 playoff run, in which he played fourth line minutes, on one of the deepest teams in history. From 2003 to present: Zetterberg 52 points, 62 games. Datsyuk 48 points in 61 games. Since the lockout: Datsyuk, 45 games, 18 goals, 42 points. Zetterberg, 46 games, 25 goals, 47 points. They're nearly identical in the post season.

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Homer Cleary-Hudler-Hossa Pretty weak... Samuelsson offers marginal savings, with the resigning of Zetterberg, Franzen and Hudler you're looking at least $7 million added to the payroll, so Hossa is gone. If you let Franzen walk and keep Hossa, you're still losing Hudler, unless you trade Flip, which leaves you: Homer-Datsyuk-Cleary/Leino Hudler-Zetterberg-Hossa Franzen has developed a chemistry with Datsyuk, its important not to over look that. Hossa can play with ANYONE on the team because he dictates the flow of play. That doesn't really work well with Zetterberg or Datsyuk.

You have no basis for your claims. If Hossa playing with Datsyuk was an advantage, Hank playing with Hossa should spark his stats, which it has not. You're deliberately avoiding my point that linemates do not matter with Datsyuk. Hes played with EVERYONE and never missed a step, Zetterberg has only showed glimpses of last year while playing with Datsyuk and Homer. Apparently the reigning Selke winner no longer plays defense.. he stands at the blue line waiting for passes so he can set up his all star wingers. This is the most asinine discussion of all time. Z and Datsyuk get the same amount of PK time, the same PP time and the same 5 on 5 time. Zetterberg is matched against the top lines on the road by choice, opposing coaches CHOOSE to have their top lines face the Z line and use their "Shutdown lines' against Datsyuk. There are very few teams in the league that use their top line to go one on one with the other teams top line, its simply not the case. The shutdown center theory is just an excuse.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=200...bx-skater-stats Zetterberg's "Shutdown" line let in four goals while on the ice during that game. He didn't finish a minus because he took place in much of the scoring but the point remains. Datsyuk was matched against the first line, primarily Thornton and that line was silent all night. While Z's line was walked all over by Michalek and Clowe.

The only talent let go is Hossa... Flip wouldn't be a pure salary dump, we would receive prospects or picks in return. Retaining Hossa at $6-7 million means losing Hudler, Samuelsson and possibly Franzen. Signing both isn't an option. This team isn't deep enough to lose that many players to retain one. Helm is easily capable of playing the role Flip does now.

All year? Hossa and Datsyuk played together for about 30 games, 10 of those games Hossa went scoreless. Datsyuk then played with Cleary and Homer for a handful of games, Zetterberg signed his deal, the ZDH line was reunited for a few games, that didn't work, Homer got hurt, Datsyuk was paired with Franzen and Hudler/Kopecky and as of late Franzen and Samuelsson. Datsyuk didn't play with Hossa for the majority of the season.... as a matter of fact, Datsyuk played more time with the "scrubs" Zetterberg is "Forced" to play with, as if Z playing with Franzen is so bad. The fact remains, during the circus that is Babcock line changes, Datsyuk continued to produce, Zetterberg didn't start producing at a higher pace until signing his deal and being reunited with Pavel. Its simple really, put Datsyuk on a line with Hudler and Cleary and he'll still outscore Zetterberg on a line with anyone else.

I personally believe that Datsyuk and Zetterberg split make this team better. And since both are locked up long term, as well as Helm waiting for a spot, trading Flip makes the most sense. You easily free up $10 million trading Flip and letting Hossa walk. Thats enough to offset the cost of Zetterberg's contract increase and Franzen's new deal. Homer-Datsyuk-Franzen Cleary-Zetterberg-Leino Flip is effectively what Jordan Staal is to the Pens, hes redundant. We have two all star centermen, no reason to have three. Draper isn't going anywhere and Helm needs a spot.

Zetterberg's linemates this season have been Sammy and Hossa for the bulk of the season. When he wasn't with Hossa, he had Franzen. If Sammy was moved down, he had Hossa and Cleary. Datsyuk's offense improved playing with Cleary and Franzen. He was still on pace for 100 points playing with Homer and Hossa. The point is, line mates don't matter with Datsyuk, he performs either way. And on the road, Datsyuk is effectively the "Shutdown center" you constantly refer to. I use the last San Jose blow out for example. Datsyuk nullified Thornton-Marleau, Settigutchi while Zetterberg's line finished the night a -4 against San Jose's SECOND line.

Are you new to the Wings? The year Z played with Homer and Samuelsson full time was the year after the lockout, 05-06.Datsyuk played with Shanny and Draper. In the middle of the 06-07 season, Datsyuk, Homer and Zetterberg were put together and Zetterberg was scoring at a HUGE pace. This continued into 07-08 where he scored 94 points playing full time with Datsyuk and Homer. Anyone that can actually recall three years ago, the Datsyuk-Shanny-Draper line was terrible, had zero chemistry and Datsyuk still outscored Z.

Again, we've had since 2003 to figure this out. We've seen the twins separated, we've seen how they play together, you have the personal stats and awards, this isn't "opinion" any longer, its fact. Bringing up leadership and baseless defense proficiencies is an attempt to close the gap between both players. Crosby vs Malkin, Datsyuk vs Zetterberg are the easiest comparisons in the world.

Zetterberg's most prolific season was 06-07...and it continued into 07-08 which resulted in a 94 point campaign. The majority of that time was spent with Datsyuk. Its no coincidence that they both had "Career years' last season while playing together. The difference is, Datsyuk has continued that playing without Zetterberg. While at the same time, Zetterberg is playing with another all star and on pace for 80 points. Datsyuk's defense hasn't taken a hit with his increased offensive production, so this is just an "off year" for Z? Even though everytime the "Twins" are separated Zetterberg's production suffers? Its Fedorov/Yzerman all over again.

Datsyuk 1050 faceoffs 57% won Zetterberg 1054 faceoffs 53.4% won Datsyuk takes the PP faceoffs and PK faceoffs when hes on the ice. Z takes PK faceoffs and faceoffs in his own zone because much like Draper, you can win faceoffs with your hand in your own end. Datsyuk is superior on faceoffs. Oh and: The experts discussed it and determined that Datsyuk was the better two way player. We're not comparing Pahlsson and Datsyuk here, we're comparing two super star forwards who play a two-way game. Leadership and defensive prowess, not backed by the Selke itself is what gives Z the edge?

Actually its not, every meaningful offensive statistic disagrees with your opinion. Datsyuk is going to finish top three in Selke voting, with the possibility of winning it while scoring 20+ more points than Zetterberg. Zetterberg performs at a lower level when not paired with Datsyuk. Same can't be said for Datsyuk. Datsyuk scores at a higher rate when Z is out of the lineup, Z scores at the same pace or lower during the rare occasion that Datsyuk is out. What shows more leadership then being the hardest working player on the ice? Is Crosby the better player because he can speak English better than Malkin?