Wings to focus on Datsyuk

[Kp-Wings 3]

We'll have to pay him even more if he rocks in the playoffs. I think it's better to try and sign him now, we shouldn't let him go even if the playoffs don't go his way. It's less risky to sign him now and most likely for less money.

While in theory this sounds like a good plan, it really isn't. Right now, we'd probably sign him for around 6.5 (which is still way too much). If he performs in the playoffs, he'll ask for a clean 7 million. Really though, it's hardly a difference.

[bringback91 2]

Then why make the comparison at all? Steve's team as a whole had trouble in his early years, but he performed admirably. This has not been true for Pavel. They are in two fundamentally different situations.

Well, I didn't. But the fact remains that even as a more elite and better player, even Steve struggled. I think that's more the point then saying there numbers and ablity are/were the same.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Well, I didn't. But the fact remains that even as a more elite and better player, even Steve struggled. I think that's more the point then saying there numbers and ablity are/were the same.

I think it's a rather poor point, actually. Let's define "struggled" for Steve, here. What do we mean by that? That he played well on good teams that didn't win? Then I guess Hank "struggled" last year, too. It's not a good comparison.

[FinWing 26]

While in theory this sounds like a good plan, it really isn't. Right now, we'd probably sign him for around 6.5 (which is still way too much). If he performs in the playoffs, he'll ask for a clean 7 million. Really though, it's hardly a difference.

If those numbers were correct, then I'd have to agree with you. However, I at least want to believe that as of now he would sign for around 5.5 mil. That would be enough to make a difference.

Besides, who do you think could replace him on our team and at a reasonable price? It's gonna be a bidding war and some teams will most certainly overpay. Sure we could take our chances and wait for free agency but that's risky business.

[Kp-Wings 3]

If those numbers were correct, then I'd have to agree with you. However, I at least want to believe that as of now he would sign for around 5.5 mil. That would be enough to make a difference.

Besides, who do you think could replace him on our team and at a reasonable price? It's gonna be a bidding war and some teams will most certainly overpay. Sure we could take our chances and wait for free agency but that's risky business.

Yeah, you're right. Who knows if we could attract a big name right away.

I'd so much rather have Chris Drury though! Hey, I can dream right?

[FinWing 26]

Yeah, you're right. Who knows if we could attract a big name right away.

I'd so much rather have Chris Drury though! Hey, I can dream right?

Certainly! Unfortunately there are gonna be some stupid a-hole teams who will overpay and as we know, Kenny won't go there (as he shouldn't).

Of course there's the risk that Pavel won't dominate the playoffs similarly to the regular season, but I don't think he actually sucked last post-season either just because he didn't score.

I just see signing him sooner rather than later as less of a risk right now.

[hockey&beer 16]

This Datsyuk crap is getting ridiculous!!!!!!

If for some absurd reason he doesn't resign, I know exactly what this board will look like....

Holland should be fired......

How could we let this guy go.....

Datsyuk, at "any" price, is worth not being embarrased by his ability with whichever team he would move to.

[Kp-Wings 3]

This Datsyuk crap is getting ridiculous!!!!!!

If for some absurd reason he doesn't resign, I know exactly what this board will look like....

Holland should be fired......

How could we let this guy go.....

Datsyuk, at "any" price, is worth not being embarrased by his ability with whichever team he would move to.

Actually, I really wouldn't mind at all.

[arnoldbuck 0]

Just saying that there is really no way I want to pay him wome of the numbers that have been thrown out there today, yet, if Dats and Z can play together for the next few years like they did through Feb. then I will be happy to see Dats back in the Red.

(sidenote) ... He also must be able to continue his Feb-like play into the spring.

[Wingsfan31 0]

Then why make the comparison at all? Steve's team as a whole had trouble in his early years, but he performed admirably. This has not been true for Pavel. They are in two fundamentally different situations.

I was simply making the comparison that initial impressions about a player's ability to perform in the playoffs aren't always right. Steve did always perform offensively, but many questioned his ability to lead a team in the playoffs. Yes, that's right, a guy considered one of the greatest leaders in his sport's history was once considered a crappy leader and was nearly traded for Alexi Yashin for it. So, in that aspect, I think it's early to call Pavel a playoff bust and I think it's a stupid reason to not re-sign him.

[arnoldbuck 0]

I was simply making the comparison that initial impressions about a player's ability to perform in the playoffs aren't always right. Steve did always perform offensively, but many questioned his ability to lead a team in the playoffs. Yes, that's right, a guy considered one of the greatest leaders in his sport's history was once considered a crappy leader and was nearly traded for Alexi Yashin for it. So, in that aspect, I think it's early to call Pavel a playoff bust and I think it's a stupid reason to not re-sign him.

I think the majority of people will disagree with that. I do agree with the part about Steve being given the time to develope into the leader who would eventually become though. But I have no desire in signing huge contracts to players who are playoff no shows. I love watching Datsyuk on the ice, one of the most exciting players to watch ... but by no stretch of the imagination am I willing to pay someon $6 million a season for a handful of highlight-reel goals and plays but no shot at a Stanley Cup.

[wingsfan40 0]

Made my day

We need this guy... hopefully its a 3 or 4 year deal at least

[TheLegend19 1]

Resigning Datsyuk before the playoffs is the best move the Wings could make. If the Wings resign him and he doesn't produce, than the Wings could ship him out if they feel that is the best move to make. If the Wings let him hit free agency, then they'll be forced to get into a bidding war if they want to retain him, even if he does have a poor playoffs.

And if we get into a bidding war with other teams, I have a feeling we'd lose.

[superstarsingh 23]

Yeah, i'm sure there were alot of posts on the Edmonton fourms saying the same things about Ryan Smyth but we will just have to wait and see, I hope they bring him back.

Yes and? Did we trade Dats? We're obviously going to ATTEMPT to sign him seeing as to how he was not traded.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

From your point of view wouldn't it be stupider to sign him after the playoffs? What if he DOES come up big? More production means more money, no? Besides, I'm sure there taking more into account than just playoff performance.

What are the odds of Datsyuk coming up big in the playoffs?! Now, if he'd beat those odds I'd gladly pay a little more. Now it looks like he will be rewarded with a new contract and then he can continue to suck in the playoffs.

[Swimming with the Sharks 0]

Of course there's the risk that Pavel won't dominate the playoffs similarly to the regular season, but I don't think he actually sucked last post-season either just because he didn't score.

Good point. An inch inside on just a couple of his posters last year and we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

[datsyukismyfriend 4]

i'm glad, hopefully dats doesn't come with as big of a price tag as we're expecting, and hopefully it's long term.

[sibiriak 84]

I'm totally against doing this. If Datsyuk blows in the playoffs (again) then we'll be paying top dollar for a guy that will take the rest of the season off after April.

In other words if he sucks then let him walk. That's my view on it.

Look, regardless of what you think of Datsyuk and his past/future playoff proficiency, the choice isn't between signing Datsyuk now or after the playoffs. The choice is between signing Datsyuk before the end of the season, or competing for his services on UFA market. Because from a player's point of view, he'd have no reason to sign with Detroit on, say May 25th, instead of waiting for a few weeks and testing the market. But if a decent offer is proffered before the playoffs start, than Datsyuk would have to account for the risk of bad performance/injury. And that would be an incentive to accept an offer less than the "market value" whatever he thinks that is.

Edited March 15, 2007 by sibiriak

[WhiteLightning91 105]

Found this interesting...From The Detroit Free Press:

"DATSYUK UPDATE: Gary Greenstin, the agent for Datsyuk, is in Russia but is expected back in the U.S. before the end of March. He has told Holland he will call at that time. Holland has a tentative April 1 cutoff date for contract talks (meaning if a contract is four-fifths negotiated April 1, he will extend talks a few days), and given the chasm between the sides -- Datsyuk is known to be asking for $7 million while the Wings can't go higher than $6 million -- it's unlikely a deal will be done before April."

I would like to know how Helene St. James knows that Datsyuk is asking for $7M. If someone is going to print that, they should have to give a source. Not any of this vague columnist lingo. I find this unlikely since Holland and Greenstein have said they are much closer to a deal than they were earlier in the year when Datsyuk was first offered a deal.

[Datzooky 0]

Dats is my favorite player, but I am sick of hearing about Contract negotiations. Maybe I just don't keep tabs on other players as much, but everyone else seems to just sign, whereas with Dats its always a long drawn out process that makes me feel weak inside. It seems that if this keeps up eventually he is going to be going to another team one way or another.

[sibiriak 84]

Dats is my favorite player, but I am sick of hearing about Contract negotiations. Maybe I just don't keep tabs on other players as much, but everyone else seems to just sign, whereas with Dats its always a long drawn out process that makes me feel weak inside. It seems that if this keeps up eventually he is going to be going to another team one way or another.

Does the name Ryan Smyth ring any bells? At least Datsyuk didn't have to be traded because of $100,000 a year.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Boo...

[silkyjohnson13 0]

Dats is my favorite player, but I am sick of hearing about Contract negotiations. Maybe I just don't keep tabs on other players as much, but everyone else seems to just sign, whereas with Dats its always a long drawn out process that makes me feel weak inside. It seems that if this keeps up eventually he is going to be going to another team one way or another.

This is where i question his agent. Datsyuk just recently made a comment about his agent - saying how he sounds like a movie preview, saying "coming soon... coming soon" - when Datsyuk asks him about the contract.

[HenrikRules40 14]

This is where i question his agent. Datsyuk just recently made a comment about his agent - saying how he sounds like a movie preview, saying "coming soon... coming soon" - when Datsyuk asks him about the contract.

Innnnnnnnnnnnnnnteresting.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

I would like to know how Helene St. James knows that Datsyuk is asking for $7M. If someone is going to print that, they should have to give a source. Not any of this vague columnist lingo. I find this unlikely since Holland and Greenstein have said they are much closer to a deal than they were earlier in the year when Datsyuk was first offered a deal.

Agreed.

I don't think anybody is willing to pay Datsyuk $7 M at this point. I'm thinking Holland offered $5 M, so they're probably meeting around the middle.