Datsyuk Signs 7-year, $46.9M Contract Extension

[redwinger4747 6]

ITS OFFICIAL: Datsyuk is no Fedorov.

I've spent the last couple months seeing the difference between Datsyuk and Fedorov on the ice: Datsyuk never takes a game off, he is never lackluster, he never ******* about ice time, etc.

Now it is official, Datsyuk is not a premedonna like Fedorov. Since he signed now, he singed for a reasonable amount of money (since Holland was willing to give it to him before the playoffs, it was reasonable) and never threatened to leave. Datsyuk represents how a great Russian hockey player should be, Fedorov represents a great Russian hockey player, who is a premedonna.

[Matt 1,049]

What if he shoots to superstardom, as Holland figures he will, you think he'll be happy at 6 million with lots of players not "as good" making more? I can't see it. Surely not if Greenstein is still his guy.

Read the CBA. He can't re-negotiate the contract. It's not allowed. Datsyuk, his agent and the Red Wings know the bed they've made with this contract and all parties were content enough to sleep in it. (In a non-sleazy way, of course.)

The playoffs *are* a factor -- but I don't think for a second that because Datsyuk has his contract he'll go through the motions. There's a stigma attached to his playoff performance, and while I think the heavy bashing on him for last season (he was hurt, after all) is unwarranted, he has been underwhelming. The injury derailed his attempt to bust that stigma and, if I'm a betting man, I think he'll do just fine in the postseason this year.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

^ nm

You beat me to it Matt.

Edited April 6, 2007 by Never Forget Mac #25

[akustyk 84]

What if he shoots to superstardom, as Holland figures he will, you think he'll be happy at 6 million with lots of players not "as good" making more? I can't see it. Surely not if Greenstein is still his guy.

yeah... but this is the part of the risk here. he takes 6 M$ which is big now, and with the cap rising should still be fine for league top players. and if he blossoms to be 100 pt scorer and the cap rises to max 10 M$ player salary - that would be Ken Holland's win. and if Greenstin doesn't like this - f* him then. there's no renegotiation so it's his greedy job to ensure good money now. which is about what he's done, because no way Datyuk is worth those 6 M$ under current salary cap and under his current playoff performance (http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=49097)

it's Holland's gamble here. there's a fair chance it'll pay off (unless Datsyuk pulls a Yashin, or Buttman finds another "very brillant" idea to down this league even more).

the rising salary cap argument makes me a believer, but it's still a risky move from Holland. a move that we'll judge in 2-3 years.

[Matt 1,049]

Mike likes it as well, but just doesn't like that it's for 7 years.

Valenti's a moron. He was going on and on that it was a "four-year" deal after it was announced hours ago. Foster had to correct him.

Plus, he said "what if he feels he's underpaid after four years and wants to hold out?" ... Ugh... New CBA, you're locked in, no re-negotiation.

I think this deal plays well to how the club will approach Zetterberg in two years, too. The Wings got a fantastic deal on his contract two years ago, and it has freed up money (in terms of value) on the cap.

I would expect a leapfrog in two years, where Zetterberg (if the cap rises) makes around $8M/year (theoreticall speaking) and it makes it possible because -- again, in terms of value -- Datsyuk would be *underpaid* with his long-term contract.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

I hate the "not a play-off performer" excuse. He is the best regular season offensive performer on the WIngs and even if he is an OK play-off performer and not the BEST playoff performer, Hank is right there with him.

I have NO problem with this deal. Keep him around and give him a chance. If he doesn't, I'm sure there isn't a no trade clause with this long contract, BUT GIVE HIM A CHANCE!

[Guest Agalloch]

Lmao, anyone listening to WXYT right now? This is hilarious.

[rwfan007 18]

nope, please elaborate

[rage 24]

Lmao, anyone listening to WXYT right now? This is hilarious.

It's almost sad. Earlier it was Scott and now it's Mike. ugghh

[Matt 1,049]

Valenti, again, is a moron. $8M player that got a nice payday because of playoff performance?

Brad Richards? Hello!

[motorcitykid 42]

Lmao, anyone listening to WXYT right now? This is hilarious.

Yeh but Foster saying "the one who should be scared if he doesn't perform, should be Pavel, not the GM" was a joke.

[akustyk 84]

I have NO problem with this deal. Keep him around and give him a chance. If he doesn't, I'm sure there isn't a no trade clause with this long contract, BUT GIVE HIM A CHANCE!

that's a wrong thinking. le'ts give Pavel a chance, and Hank a chance, and Nick a chance, and Lang a chance, and ...

and we end up with like 35 megabucks in 5 players. with 12 to fill remaining 15 roster spots and some other players in minors to fill lineup holes. which virtually means 5 quality players and a bunch of AHL-ers (since we have few valuable youngsters in the system to play quality hockey and take relatively little money). pretty f*d if you ask me, and it places us on the line with this year's Capitals or Blackhawks. except, they have better youth

I don't like the idea of spending big money this way. good thing here is Kenny did it with Hank and Kronwall locked so their agent's are not going to be pain in Holland's ass for some time. but the precedent here is not to my liking anyway. we can't allow putting huge money in just a couple of players

[Pskov Wings Fan 71]

A 7 year contract for datsyuk i guess hull was right datsyuk really hates babcock

He is hoping to outlast him

[Yzermania19 1]

First off, I am glad we have locked up Pavel for seven years...we will have him in his prime. Maybe the amount looks a little high now, but as some have pointed out, in 3-4 years, when Pavel would come up for another contract, he might have wanted $10 million. Now he's locked in at around $6 million or so. I agree with Steve that his playoff performance to this point has been an aberration. I expect Pavel to really come on for the Wings in these playoffs.

This is definitely a statement contract. The Wings are saying to Pavel, "we think you are going to be one of the cornerstones of our future. We expect big things from you. We are placing the franchise on your shoulders. We came through for you, now you have to come through for us." Trust me, the Wings expect BIG things from this guy.

[dicksmack 33]

Kronwall's too brittle.

[Guest Agalloch]

I was laughing more at the fact that the one guy was getting bashed.

"I don't have time right now."

"...why, you're doing a radio show right now!"

"You're a jerk."

"You're an idiot."

Do these guys genuinely hate each other? They're constantly bashing each other.

[motorcitykid 42]

but the precedent here is not to my liking anyway. we can't allow putting huge money in just a couple of players

Yes, and wasn't that what they were told after this new CBA was signed? You spend the dough on your 1 big guy, your "franchise guy". Then you add a few under him for "medium" money.

In no way, at this point, with as little on his resume, should that dough be thrown at Pavel.

With the hope he'll be underpaid in a few years?

[HuntsVegas Baby 0]

Bravo! I am not sure why everyone is really beatnig this thing up.

It is an extra 2+ mil/yr against the cap moving forward......lets not forget he was already making 3.9 mil/yr..............and Lang was making 3.8 mil/yr.

But then again...think about if we would have lost him to say Carolina for only an extra stinking 2 mil..........this site would be overrun.

Good move and good job!

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I hate the "not a play-off performer" excuse. He is the best regular season offensive performer on the WIngs and even if he is an OK play-off performer and not the BEST playoff performer, Hank is right there with him.

I have NO problem with this deal. Keep him around and give him a chance. If he doesn't, I'm sure there isn't a no trade clause with this long contract, BUT GIVE HIM A CHANCE!

It's not an excuse.

With big money comes big expectations.

You expect your regular season leading scorer to also deliver in the postseason.

Datsyuk better deliver, and soon.

[dicksmack 33]

Well, now I can go and buy that Datsyuk jersey! I've been putting it off until a decision was made. Whooppee! 7yrs more of my fav. player in the winged wheel! I kinda feel like that scene in Goodfellas when Henry is in the shower and hears about the Luftansa heist over the radio!

[sibiriak 84]

What if he shoots to superstardom, as Holland figures he will, you think he'll be happy at 6 million with lots of players not "as good" making more? I can't see it. Surely not if Greenstein is still his guy.

Plus I just don't see how playoffs are not a factor.

As Holland said today, under the CBA, the contract terms cannot be extended/renegotiated until the last year of the contract. That means that the earliest that Datsyuk could ask for more money is 2013. And again, your are projecting your self-admitted greed on Datsyuk, contrary to the evidence from the people who know him.

[Sparty13 0]

Babcocks on 1270 right now

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Datsyuk better deliver, and soon.

Or what? He'll get a stern talkin' to?

Listen, I love Pavel as much as the next guy, lotsa faith, but this gigantor deal means we're in it for the long haul, for better or for worse.

[sibiriak 84]

And now Mike Bacock is on1270, praising Datsyuk to heavens for his passion, skill, work ethic, defense, and willingness to go to "hard areas".

[Matt 1,049]

Listen, I love Pavel as much as the next guy, lotsa faith, but this gigantor deal means we're in it for the long haul, for better or for worse.

Could always waive him.