Dats to flyers in offseason?

[sibiriak 84]

Honestly, Detroit she not be too concerned about signing Datsyuk if he wants 7 million. Detroit could get Drury for about 5 million and be a stronger team because of it. Sykora, Gomez, Forsberg, Perreault, Comrie, and Lang are all also strong options that are cheaper and allow us to go after a few good wingers in the form of Blake, Zubrus, O'Neill, Tucker, Bertuzzi, Kozlov, Kariya, Hartnell, Doan, Nolan, Tkachuk, Guerin, Nagy, Modin, etc. Thats a pretty good bunch right there. If worse comes to worse, Flip can anchor the 2nd line with some solid wingers.

How do you figure that Drury would get less as a UFA then Briere got from the arbitrator last year? Drury and Briere will both be looking for 5.5-6 mil. at least.

It would not surprise me if Dats stayed at Detroit after HoDlland accepted 7M to him in the offseason, Holland has shown already several times how he can overpay players.

But IMO 7M to Dats is worse that 7M devided among 3 other competetive above average players. Dats is not worth of 7M.

Datsyuk leaving would free only one roster spot. Having 3 grinders to fill it won't help any more than having just one. If Datsyuk leaves, the Wings would have to sign at least a very good 2nd line forward to replace him.

[blgillett 48]

so this isnt a rumor or anything, but i live in the greater phili area or flyers country and have many flyers fans. i hear many convos about what the flyers will do in the offseason and how they will have about 20 million in cap room left. they were talking about signing a good defenseman, and Datsyuk. i can see the flyers possibly shelling out the 7 million for him, cause they will have the room. does anyone else think this will happen, cause i hope not. but that is one team that i bet would shell the money he wants

No! In the first place the Wings Will not have him under a contract in the off season, so you can't trade someone that is not uner contract. 2 no one is going to pay him 7 million. I'm not saing that he might not end up as a flyer or some where else, but he's not going to make much more then he is making right now.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Then the Wings deserve all the playoff misfortune they've endured in the past and for the future disappointments they will surely see.

I hope that Holland finally wakes up and sees Datsyuk for what he really is - Playoff Cancer.

And please don't compare Zetts to Dats; it's not even close. It's like comparing Mark Messier to Jimmy Carson.

Yeah- last year's playoff performance must be indicative of all future performances. Look into the crystal ball my friends- magic really works.

[eva unit zero 271]

Yeah- last year's playoff performance must be indicative of all future performances. Look into the crystal ball my friends- magic really works.

Datsyuk has yet to show he is capable of effective play in the postseason. Whether that changes in the future, it's true now and that fact must be considered.

[Hank 0]

How's Datsyuk playoff cancer? He hasn't put up the numbers in the playoffs, but he's no floater and has always had a good attitude.

HAHAHAHA! Have you actually watched him in the playoffs? His attitude is "I won't hit you if you don't hit me. I don't want to get injured so it hurts my contract talks".

He's a complete wussy when it comes to physical contact or confrontation. He would rather run from a loose puck than battle for it.

He doesn't have anything close to a 'next-level' that most players go into for the playoffs.

Look at the last 3 teams to win the cup. All their top players were willing to pay a price for victory. Heck, Vinny Lecavailer fought Jerome Iginla in the '04 finals!

When we won Cups our top offensive players were also guys that blocked shots, made hits, took hits and went into high traffic areas to win battles. When's the last time you saw Datsyuk do ANY of that???? Never!

Watching players like Brind'Amour, Staal and even Matt Cullen pay the price to win brought a tear to my eye, because I know two of our top offensive players - Datsyuk and Lang - would never do that.

Datsyuk is complete garbage in the playoffs. Why pay this bum anything over a nickel when he can't produce when you need it most?

Yeah- last year's playoff performance must be indicative of all future performances. Look into the crystal ball my friends- magic really works.

I don't need a crystal ball. I have actual facts and proof to back up my opinions. The guy has a .35 PPG average in the postseason. In the past 3 playoffs he's played on the top line given top ice time and linemates.

And it's not all about points either. Look at the way he plays. Heartless, gritless, spineless. He reminds me so much of Jimmy Carson it's not even funny. Carson was a guy that really shone during the late 80's due to how the game was played. But then the mid 90's showed up and the game changed to a more physical nature. He disappeared off the face of the earth before he was 27. And this was a guy that was scoring 100+ points as a teenager.

Datysuk's the same way. He so scared to go anywhere near traffic that you can actually see him fold into himself.

If we lose in the first round and Dats gets 0 points, but he blocks shots, goes into the corners and battles for the puck I'll come on here and praise him. But we all know he's never going to do that because he's never come close to doing any of that since he came in the league.

P.S. I guess you have a different crystal ball that shows you a different Datsyuk that we've all seen.

Edited February 6, 2007 by Hank

[sibiriak 84]

HAHAHAHA! Have you actually watched him in the playoffs? His attitude is "I won't hit you if you don't hit me. I don't want to get injured so it hurts my contract talks".

He's a complete wussy when it comes to physical contact or confrontation. He would rather run from a loose puck than battle for it.

He doesn't have anything close to a 'next-level' that most players go into for the playoffs.

Look at the last 3 teams to win the cup. All their top players were willing to pay a price for victory. Heck, Vinny Lecavailer fought Jerome Iginla in the '04 finals!

When we won Cups our top offensive players were also guys that blocked shots, made hits, took hits and went into high traffic areas to win battles. When's the last time you saw Datsyuk do ANY of that???? Never!

Watching players like Brind'Amour, Staal and even Matt Cullen pay the price to win brought a tear to my eye, because I know two of our top offensive players - Datsyuk and Lang - would never do that.

Datsyuk is complete garbage in the playoffs. Why pay this bum anything over a nickel when he can't produce when you need it most?

Yes, Datsyuk is no power forward. But you ought to have seen more than 1 last year's playoff round (that he played injured BTW) to form a judgement about his playoff effort. He does not hit people or fight, and it would be stupid for him to do so, it's not his role. But he does sacrifice his body to make a play all the time. In fact, one of the common complaints about him on these very boards is that he often gets dumped on his ass while trying to stickhandle around people. He is the best faceoff man the Wings have right now. He is near the top of the league in takeaways. He is second among the Wings forwards in blocked shots with 23, trailing only Maltby. Or yeah, and he leads the team in scoring. As someone said before, he is no floater. And he plays with the same level of intensity in the playoffs, so the points will come. You should try to actually watch what Datsyuk does on the ice with your eyes unclouded with preconceptions, and then revisit your critical notes. See if you still believe all of what you wrote about him.

EDIT - typo.

Edited February 6, 2007 by sibiriak

[Hank 0]

Yes, Datsyuk is no power forward. But you ought to have seen more than 1 last year's playoff round (that he played injured BTW) to form a judgement about his playoff effort. He does not hit people or fight, and it would be stupid for him to do so, it's not his role. But he does sacrifice his body to make a play all the time. In fact, one of the common complaints about him on these very boards is that he often gets dumped on his ass while trying to stickhandle around people. He is the best faceoff man the Wings have right now. He is near the top of the league in takeaways. He is second among the Wings forwards in blocked shots with 23, trailing only Maltby. Or yeah, and he leads the team in scoring. As someone said before, he is no floater. And he plays with the same level of intensity in the playoffs, so the points will come. You should try to actually watch what Datsyuk does on the ice with your eyes unclouded with preconceptions, and then revisit your critical notes. See if you still believe all of what you wrote about him.

EDIT - typo.

That's the problem right there. He treats the playoffs the same as the regular season. Do you think guys like Ryan Smyth or Jerome Iginla do that? No! They take it up a notch.

And nobody's asking him to fight. Where did I say that? All I pointed out was that other teams top stars would do things to win that they normally would not do.

And have you actually watched a playoff game with your eyes unclouded for your huge man-crush of Pavel Datsyuk?

How do you explain that play I wrote about before? The play where he turned tail and ran out of the zone as fast as he could when a potential puck battle was immenent. It was so bad that even Kelly Hrudey brought it up with Ron MacLean during the post game show and both agreed that it was a gutless act. Hrudey even wondered how Datsyuk's teammates would view that act of cowardice.

In fact, it wasn't long after that there were rumours flying around how there was dissention in the wings lockerroom over the lack of effort given by certain 'superstars' on the team.

And Datsyuk was a little injured? Boo-freakin-hoo. When the Avs won the Cup in 01 Sakic's shoulder was so bad that doctors said he shouldn't even watch TV without it being in a sling. And yet the man was giving OUT bodychecks let alone taking them. Yzerman had 0 cartildge in his knee but was able to singlehandedly carry the Wings through the Vancouver series in 02.

There have been countless winners in NHL history that ignored injuries and pain and were still able to perform at a very high level. Datsyuk has shown none of these traits. What he has shown is that he's willing to play at the same level as he does in December, but no more, for the sake of winning in the postseason. And his play in the regular season still consists of paremeter play where chances of him getting touched are far less.

All I'm saying is nobody here should be surprised one bit if and when Datsyuk underperforms again in this years playoffs. And again, I'm not looking at points, I'm looking at heart and determination. Two things I've never seen from the 'man'.

EDIT: He has 23 blocked shots. Big deal. He's tied for 117th in the league in that regard. Anze Kopitar has more Blocked shots than him.

Edited February 6, 2007 by Hank

[discohadestwo 0]

Honestly, Detroit she not be too concerned about signing Datsyuk if he wants 7 million. Detroit could get Drury for about 5 million and be a stronger team because of it. Sykora, Gomez, Forsberg, Perreault, Comrie, and Lang are all also strong options that are cheaper and allow us to go after a few good wingers in the form of Blake, Zubrus, O'Neill, Tucker, Bertuzzi, Kozlov, Kariya, Hartnell, Doan, Nolan, Tkachuk, Guerin, Nagy, Modin, etc. Thats a pretty good bunch right there. If worse comes to worse, Flip can anchor the 2nd line with some solid wingers.

& I'm with holland.

I would hate to see him on another team.

[Hank 0]

Honestly, Detroit she not be too concerned about signing Datsyuk if he wants 7 million. Detroit could get Drury for about 5 million and be a stronger team because of it. Sykora, Gomez, Forsberg, Perreault, Comrie, and Lang are all also strong options that are cheaper and allow us to go after a few good wingers in the form of Blake, Zubrus, O'Neill, Tucker, Bertuzzi, Kozlov, Kariya, Hartnell, Doan, Nolan, Tkachuk, Guerin, Nagy, Modin, etc. Thats a pretty good bunch right there. If worse comes to worse, Flip can anchor the 2nd line with some solid wingers.

Drury would be awesome to get on this team. The man is a proven winner and does everything necessary to win.

Sure, he probably won't give you 90+ points in the regular season but the regular season hasn't meant crap to the Wings since 89. This guy can flat out play in the postseason.

[sibiriak 84]

That's the problem right there. He treats the playoffs the same as the regular season. Do you think guys like Ryan Smyth or Jerome Iginla do that? No! They take it up a notch.

And nobody's asking him to fight. Where did I say that? All I pointed out was that other teams top stars would do things to win that they normally would not do.

And have you actually watched a playoff game with your eyes unclouded for your huge man-crush of Pavel Datsyuk?

How do you explain that play I wrote about before? The play where he turned tail and ran out of the zone as fast as he could when a potential puck battle was immenent. It was so bad that even Kelly Hrudey brought it up with Ron MacLean during the post game show and both agreed that it was a gutless act. Hrudey even wondered how Datsyuk's teammates would view that act of cowardice.

In fact, it wasn't long after that there were rumours flying around how there was dissention in the wings lockerroom over the lack of effort given by certain 'superstars' on the team.

And Datsyuk was a little injured? Boo-freakin-hoo. When the Avs won the Cup in 01 Sakic's shoulder was so bad that doctors said he shouldn't even watch TV without it being in a sling. And yet the man was giving OUT bodychecks let alone taking them. Yzerman had 0 cartildge in his knee but was able to singlehandedly carry the Wings through the Vancouver series in 02.

There have been countless winners in NHL history that ignored injuries and pain and were still able to perform at a very high level. Datsyuk has shown none of these traits. What he has shown is that he's willing to play at the same level as he does in December, but no more, for the sake of winning in the postseason. And his play in the regular season still consists of paremeter play where chances of him getting touched are far less.

All I'm saying is nobody here should be surprised one bit if and when Datsyuk underperforms again in this years playoffs. And again, I'm not looking at points, I'm looking at heart and determination. Two things I've never seen from the 'man'.

EDIT: He has 23 blocked shots. Big deal. He's tied for 117th in the league in that regard. Anze Kopitar has more Blocked shots than him.

I would have to see a video of the play you are refering to. It could have been a ine change, or he could have chickened out, or something else altogether. I'll have to watch the video to tell.

Very few people have the same pain tolerance as Yzerman.

You are wrong about his "perimeter play" in the regular season and playoffs. Just watch where he scores most of his goals from.

He is second on the team in blocks. If you critisize him for not blocking shots, then you should first critisize all other forwards save Maltby. And that includes the golden boy Z.

To see a man's heart, one needs X-ray vision. Are you Superman? Seriously though, iti s a matter of opinion. Some players go out and bang bodies and run around. It is easy to see their "effort". Other players have different strengths. Datsyuk's strengths are:

1) the way he reads the play and sees the ice. How do you see an increase in that on TV?

2) passing. You need your linemates to offer themselves and to get open. If they don't, how do you "increase" that? And that was a problem in the past playoffs, in particular when Datsyuk didn't play with Zetterberg.

3) stickhandling and one-on-one play. This is more difficult to do in the playoffs. The refs let more go, the D gets to see you more and adjusts, the opposition coaches fine tune their defensive schemes to neutralize Datsyuk specifically. Pavel should do a better job of dealing with that. But it is not a matter of effort, but rather changing his style of play a little bit, using his linemates more, dump and chase once in a while, just to confuse the D. That's something the coaching staff should be helping him with.

To be effective, Datsyuk must find a way to utilize his strengths in the playoffs. And the coaching staff should use him in a way that lets him play to his strength. That was the problemin the past. Not lack of effort or "heart".

[Hank 0]

I would have to see a video of the play you are refering to. It could have been a ine change, or he could have chickened out, or something else altogether. I'll have to watch the video to tell.

Very few people have the same pain tolerance as Yzerman.

You are wrong about his "perimeter play" in the regular season and playoffs. Just watch where he scores most of his goals from.

He is second on the team in blocks. If you critisize him for not blocking shots, then you should first critisize all other forwards save Maltby. And that includes the golden boy Z.

To see a man's heart, one needs X-ray vision. Are you Superman? Seriously though, iti s a matter of opinion. Some players go out and bang bodies and run around. It is easy to see their "effort". Other players have different strengths. Datsyuk's strengths are:

1) the way he reads the play and sees the ice. How do you see an increase in that on TV?

2) passing. You need your linemates to offer themselves and to get open. If they don't, how do you "increase" that? And that was a problem in the past playoffs, in particular when Datsyuk didn't play with Zetterberg.

3) stickhandling and one-on-one play. This is more difficult to do in the playoffs. The refs let more go, the D gets to see you more and adjusts, the opposition coaches fine tune their defensive schemes to neutralize Datsyuk specifically. Pavel should do a better job of dealing with that. But it is not a matter of effort, but rather changing his style of play a little bit, using his linemates more, dump and chase once in a while, just to confuse the D. That's something the coaching staff should be helping him with.

To be effective, Datsyuk must find a way to utilize his strengths in the playoffs. And the coaching staff should use him in a way that lets him play to his strength. That was the problemin the past. Not lack of effort or "heart".

The play I was referring to was where there was a loose puck in the corner with Dats about 6 feet or one stride away from it. He made a motion to go get it when he saw an Oiler dman coming hard from behind the net. The dman was still a good 3-4 strides away. Dats could easily have gotten to the puck first and made a play with it. But he ended up curling away from the loose puck and heading back up ice.

My brother-in-law is a giant Oilers fan and he immediately called me afterwards laughing hysterically. He said "That's why Dats has 0 goals in 4 years! hahaha!"

I was out of my mind angry with the lack of courage he showed in that one instance. And I kid you not when I say that both Kelly Hrudey and Ron MacLean addressed that play in the post-game show. And it was the next day that the rumours mounted regarding desention in the Wings lockeroom over lack of effort from certain 'superstars'.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on the level of Datsyuks postseason play. You mentioned how the coaching staff needs to find a gameplay that works to his strenghts. But that's where my argument kicks in. Datsyuk's only strenght is his passing. If you cut off his passing lanes, he's useless as he won't go deep into traffic to make things happen. The OIlers took him completely out of games by keeping him to the outside trying to thread passes through 3-4 guys.

Time will tell. Trust me, nobody will be happier than me if he scores a playoff goal. The team will need him greatly this spring. But from what I've witnessed over the past 3 playoffs is a man unwilling to find that extra gear needed for success.

[sibiriak 84]

The play I was referring to was where there was a loose puck in the corner with Dats about 6 feet or one stride away from it. He made a motion to go get it when he saw an Oiler dman coming hard from behind the net. The dman was still a good 3-4 strides away. Dats could easily have gotten to the puck first and made a play with it. But he ended up curling away from the loose puck and heading back up ice.

My brother-in-law is a giant Oilers fan and he immediately called me afterwards laughing hysterically. He said "That's why Dats has 0 goals in 4 years! hahaha!"

I was out of my mind angry with the lack of courage he showed in that one instance. And I kid you not when I say that both Kelly Hrudey and Ron MacLean addressed that play in the post-game show. And it was the next day that the rumours mounted regarding desention in the Wings lockeroom over lack of effort from certain 'superstars'.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on the level of Datsyuks postseason play. You mentioned how the coaching staff needs to find a gameplay that works to his strenghts. But that's where my argument kicks in. Datsyuk's only strenght is his passing. If you cut off his passing lanes, he's useless as he won't go deep into traffic to make things happen. The OIlers took him completely out of games by keeping him to the outside trying to thread passes through 3-4 guys.

Time will tell. Trust me, nobody will be happier than me if he scores a playoff goal. The team will need him greatly this spring. But from what I've witnessed over the past 3 playoffs is a man unwilling to find that extra gear needed for success.

It seems to me that your perseptions are colored by that last playoff. Which is natural.

But when you say that Datsyuk's only strength is his passing, that's not exactly true, is it? He is one of the best in the NHL in one-on-one play. But when the Oillers managed to double or tripleteam Datsyuk AND cover the passing lanes at the same time, that tells me that he didn't have enough support from his linemates. It is impossible to cover the other 2 forwards and 1 or 2 D-men joining the rush and doubleteam the puckcarrier. But if your linemates are too far behind, or are not moving and are not getting open,THEN it is easy for the defense to shut you down and outman you in all areas of the ice.

As to Datsyuk willingness to go to the net, again, check where he scores his goals from. I'd be very much surprised if more than 10-20% of his goals came from farther away then the hashmarks.

EDIT-clarity

Edited February 6, 2007 by sibiriak

[Hank 0]

It seems to me that your perseptions are colored by that last playoff. Which is natural.

But when you say that Datsyuk's only strength is his passing, that's not exactly true, is it? He is one of the best in the NHL in one-on-one play. But when the Oillers managed to double or tripleteam Datsyuk AND cover the passing lanes at the same time, that tells me that he didn't have enough support from his linemates. It is impossible to cover the other 2 forwards and 1 or 2 D-men joining the rush and doubleteam the puckcarrier. But if your linemates are too far behind, or are not moving and are not getting open,THEN it is easy for the defense to shut you down and outman you in all areas of the ice.

As to Datsyuk willingness to go to the net, again, check where he scores his goals from. I'd be very much surprised if more than 10-20% of his goals came from farther away then the hashmarks.

EDIT-clarity

I agree that he can score goals down low in the reg. season, but that's a whole other ballgame in the playoffs. I still think his 0 goals in 26 straight playoff games is no fluke and illustrates my points better than I ever could.

Edited February 6, 2007 by Hank

[sibiriak 84]

I agree that he can score goals down low in the reg. season, but that's a whole other ballgame in the playoffs. I still think his 0 goals in 26 straight playoff games is no fluke and illustrates my points better than I ever could.

If your point is that Datsyuk hasn't scored goals in the last 3 playoffs, then you are correct. But I disagree with your analysis of why that was so. The reason is not a lack of heart or effort, it is because of a failure to adjust to looser officiating standards and tighter D, coupled with indifferent play by the whole team and coaching mistakes.

All of which are easier to correct than a lack of character would have been.

[toby91_ca 620]

If your point is that Datsyuk hasn't scored goals in the last 3 playoffs, then you are correct. But I disagree with your analysis of why that was so. The reason is not a lack of heart or effort, it is because of a failure to adjust to looser officiating standards and tighter D, coupled with indifferent play by the whole team and coaching mistakes.

All of which are easier to correct than a lack of character would have been.

Oh my....

Datsyuk hasn't scored in the playoffs in awhile do to:

- officiating

- indifferent play by the whole team

- coaching mistakes

Gotta hand it to ya, there's some excuses I haven't seen yet.

[sibiriak 84]

Oh my....

Datsyuk hasn't scored in the playoffs in awhile do to:

- officiating

- indifferent play by the whole team

- coaching mistakes

Gotta hand it to ya, there's some excuses I haven't seen yet.

They say that the playoffs are different from the regular season. Could you specify why do you believe that is?

I think that the playoffs are different because of three things, mostly:

1. Intensity and team discipline are heightened. Teams play more disciplined, particularly in their own end.

2. Teams get to see the same opponent for two weeks. They can adjust their gameplan, use custom designed defensive schemes.

3. Referees let more go in the playoffs.

So what I basically said was that Datsyuk needs to adjust his play to these different playoff conditions. The coaches need to advise him on how better to use his strengths. Do you disagree?

I also think that the Wings as a team underperformed in the last 3 playoffs (except maybe 2003-04).The style of play that made them successful is based on the team passing game. If your center has to try stickhandling through 2-3

D-men every time, because he has no passing options, suggests to me that his linemates play at a different speed of foot and thought. That is something for the coaches to address. Change lines, tell players what to do differently. Do you disagree with that?

Finally, you may wish to read all of the dialogue I had with Hank in this thread, because you may then better understand what I was trying to say and what I was arguing against.

[Curban915 0]

Here's the deal from what it sounds like its another #91 in the making i just hope Ken is smart and does not give in to the rumor of he is wanting 7mil a season i just dont think he worth that much. Does not produce when it counts.

[toby91_ca 620]

Here's the deal from what it sounds like its another #91 in the making i just hope Ken is smart and does not give in to the rumor of he is wanting 7mil a season i just dont think he worth that much. Does not produce when it counts.

I think people can only dream of him being another #91. If he were, I suspect most wouldn't be too bothered about forking over $7 million.

[Curban915 0]

Atleast 91 could score in the playoffs. Man Pavel head is to big he should be most of the great wings were and take less money and stay with a great team. Has anyone thought about what happens if Dom gets hurt can Ozzy take us to the cup?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I think people can only dream of him being another #91. If he were, I suspect most wouldn't be too bothered about forking over $7 million.

Exactly. You'd hear no complaints from me if that were the situation.

[BlakChamber 8]

I think people can only dream of him being another #91. If he were, I suspect most wouldn't be too bothered about forking over $7 million.

If Datsyuk played like Fedorov in the playoffs, I'd settle for nothing less than Ilitch driving a dumptruck full of money to his house.

[Hank 0]

They say that the playoffs are different from the regular season. Could you specify why do you believe that is?

I think that the playoffs are different because of three things, mostly:

1. Intensity and team discipline are heightened. Teams play more disciplined, particularly in their own end.

2. Teams get to see the same opponent for two weeks. They can adjust their gameplan, use custom designed defensive schemes.

3. Referees let more go in the playoffs.

So what I basically said was that Datsyuk needs to adjust his play to these different playoff conditions. The coaches need to advise him on how better to use his strengths. Do you disagree?

I also think that the Wings as a team underperformed in the last 3 playoffs (except maybe 2003-04).The style of play that made them successful is based on the team passing game. If your center has to try stickhandling through 2-3

D-men every time, because he has no passing options, suggests to me that his linemates play at a different speed of foot and thought. That is something for the coaches to address. Change lines, tell players what to do differently. Do you disagree with that?

Finally, you may wish to read all of the dialogue I had with Hank in this thread, because you may then better understand what I was trying to say and what I was arguing against.

I actually think you're proving my point. If this guy has no clue how to adjust to tighter defenses, higher intensity/aggression and looser officiating (which wasn't the case at all last spring) then how or when is he going to?

There have been bushel full of players both great and average that have figured that out. There have been numerous players with half his skill, health and size that have succeeded where Datsyuk has not.

Again, all of what you pointed out yourself leads to the head or the heart. Or both. If he hasn't figured out playoff hockey yet he's never going to. I have yet to see him dig down and get up to that one extra gear needed for playoff success. Draper's done it, Matlby's done it, Lapointe did it all the time. And more importantly the Wings superstars like Yzerman, Federov, Larionov, Shanahan all found that extra gear too. I don't believe Datsyuk has it or has the mental toughness to find his.

And his track record has shown that we should all be very prepared for another donut from Dats come April.

[sibiriak 84]

I actually think you're proving my point. If this guy has no clue how to adjust to tighter defenses, higher intensity/aggression and looser officiating (which wasn't the case at all last spring) then how or when is he going to?

There have been bushel full of players both great and average that have figured that out. There have been numerous players with half his skill, health and size that have succeeded where Datsyuk has not.

Again, all of what you pointed out yourself leads to the head or the heart. Or both. If he hasn't figured out playoff hockey yet he's never going to. I have yet to see him dig down and get up to that one extra gear needed for playoff success. Draper's done it, Matlby's done it, Lapointe did it all the time. And more importantly the Wings superstars like Yzerman, Federov, Larionov, Shanahan all found that extra gear too. I don't believe Datsyuk has it or has the mental toughness to find his.

And his track record has shown that we should all be very prepared for another donut from Dats come April.

Funny you should mention Shanahan. In the last three playoff years Shanahan has 10 pts in 22 GP vs Datsyuk's 9 pts in 21 GP. They both played on the same team with the same linemates... And with the same results. Which one has that extra playoff gear again? Could have fooled me.

Like you said before, I too hope Datsyuk figures out how to play better in the playoffs. The way he is playing this year, I think he may have. His style may not be best suited for the playoffs, but I still do not believe that the reason for his playoff ineffectiveness is that he is a coward.

[toby91_ca 620]

Funny you should mention Shanahan. In the last three playoff years Shanahan has 10 pts in 22 GP vs Datsyuk's 9 pts in 21 GP. They both played on the same team with the same linemates... And with the same results. Which one has that extra playoff gear again? Could have fooled me.

Shanahan has been bad recently (most will admit that), but he has shown that he can produce in the playoffs, he has done it before. Datsyuk has not shown that yet.

[sibiriak 84]

Shanahan has been bad recently (most will admit that), but he has shown that he can produce in the playoffs, he has done it before. Datsyuk has not shown that yet.

Zetterberg has 11pts in 22 games in those 3 years. Do you think that the whole team's poor play may have had something to do with the low playoff scoring by all (except Lang) Wing's leading scorers?