Don't look now

[Echolalia 2,961]

... but Datsyuk is seven points away from being the league leader in points.

With all the high scoring prowess in the league, the big thing seems to be consistency and not getting injured. Dats is definitely not the biggest scoring threat in the league, but he is one of the most consistent, and doesn't get hurt. Alfredson is another, although he has been walking a fine line with injury lately (and that 7 point night definitely helped even things out). Everyone else in the top ten has had problems with injury (Zetterberg, Crosby, Kovalchuk now) or periodically has slumps (Iginla, Lecavalier).

I'm not saying Datsyuk will lead the league come the end of the year, but he brings alot to the table, and in many ways those two factors, consistency and avoiding injury, are two of his greatest attributes, and although he does get a lot of publicity for his moves, I think hes still a pretty underrated player all around. Anyway its nice to see two wings in the top 8.

[12Newf 0]

datsyuk is phenomenal! he is really earning that big contract. he is a guy who does something awesome with the puck EVERY time he touches it. i watched him deke in the corner for like 40 seconds straight last night and guys twice his size couldnt take the puck.

and who else saw this awesome stat last night during the game?! 6 of the top 10 in +/-!

Nicklas Lidstrom 43

Pavel Datsyuk 33

Dany Heatley 31

Henrik Zetterberg 23

Daniel Cleary22

Ryan Getzlaf 22

Jason Spezza 22

Doug Murray 19

Valterri Filpulla 19

Brian Rafalski 19

Edited January 31, 2008 by 12Newf

[toby91_ca 620]

Just for accuracy sake, I wouldn't say Datsyuk has a great ability of avoiding injury. So far in his career, he has missed an average of over 9 games a year due to injury. Granted, he hasn't missed any this year and only 3 last year. Hopefully he is able to keep games missed due to injury at a minimum, but I don't think I'm ready to say he is consistent in that area yet. Now Lidstrom, that's a different story.

He is doing great this year, on pace to have a career year in points and after a slow start in goals, he's picked up the pace there. I don't think he'll ever be a huge goal scorer, probably 25-30 goals a year, maybe a few years with more. I'd be surprised if you see him in the top 5 in scoring, but maybe top 10, which would be pretty impressive.

[Dano33 41]

datsyuk is phenomenal! he is really earning that big contract. he is a guy who does something awesome with the puck EVERY time he touches it. i watched him deke in the corner for like 40 seconds straight last night and guys twice his size couldnt take the puck.

and who else saw this awesome stat last night during the game?! 6 of the top 10 in +/-!

Nicklas Lidstrom 43

Pavel Datsyuk 33

Dany Heatley 31

Henrik Zetterberg 23

Daniel Cleary22

Ryan Getzlaf 22

Jason Spezza 22

Doug Murray 19

Valterri Filpulla 19

Brian Rafalski 19

Uhh, who the hell is this guy?

[edicius 3,269]

Uhh, who the hell is this guy?

Apparently he plays on the Sharks.

[b.shanafan14 733]

datsyuk is phenomenal! he is really earning that big contract. he is a guy who does something awesome with the puck EVERY time he touches it. i watched him deke in the corner for like 40 seconds straight last night and guys twice his size couldnt take the puck.

and who else saw this awesome stat last night during the game?! 6 of the top 10 in +/-!

Nicklas Lidstrom 43

Pavel Datsyuk 33

Dany Heatley 31

Henrik Zetterberg 23

Daniel Cleary22

Ryan Getzlaf 22

Jason Spezza 22

Doug Murray 19

Valterri Filpulla 19

Brian Rafalski 19

Yeah, i saw that and loved it! I love the +/- stat and to have that many players from one team in the top ten of a stat that requires both offensive and defensive skill is probably my favorite Red Wings accomplishment so far this year

[irishtemper14+25 11]

yea i thought it was out team leaders in +- but then saw heatly and was like what....(counts) we have six players in the top 10, alllllright

[This Is Bida 0]

you a*holes better knock on wood about Datsyuk avoiding injury!!!

[eva unit zero 271]

Zetterberg has a better chance at leading the league in scoring than Dats does. Dats is on pace for 96 points over 82 games. Zetterberg is on pace for 103 in 75 if he plays out the season, or 98 in 71 if he misses the same percentage of the final 30 as he has of the first 52. Alfredsson, the league leader, is on pace for about 110 and he just had a huge game which skews his average slightly upwards of where it normally would be. Alfie is the only player in the top ten with a better PPG than Zata. Crosby, who is out for an extended period, is right behind Z's PPG number, as is Jason Spezza.

It'll be great to see them both among the leaders at the end.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Zetterberg has a better chance at leading the league in scoring than Dats does. Dats is on pace for 96 points over 82 games. Zetterberg is on pace for 103 in 75 if he plays out the season, or 98 in 71 if he misses the same percentage of the final 30 as he has of the first 52. Alfredsson, the league leader, is on pace for about 110 and he just had a huge game which skews his average slightly upwards of where it normally would be. Alfie is the only player in the top ten with a better PPG than Zata. Crosby, who is out for an extended period, is right behind Z's PPG number, as is Jason Spezza.

It'll be great to see them both among the leaders at the end.

Oh i definitely don't think Datsyuk will end up on top, or ahead of Zetterberg, I was just pointing out where he stands right now, and for me personally, it was pretty surprising to see him among such elite scoring names, and figured it was worth sharing.

[norrisnick 1]

Uhh, who the hell is this guy?

Douglas is a f'n tank. Youtube him.

[Guest LivingtheDream]

Since his rookie year you watched that guy and said, "Holy cow, what did he just do with the puck!" Think about so many players and how this guy has adapted and changed his game since 2001-02, all for the better of course, and he is even more amazing. Unlike a Crosby or some other wonder boy, Dats wasn't "destined" to be this amazingly good. He obviously worked hard and took those unique skills of his to a whole new level. The scary part is imagining what crazy sick things will he do in the next few years. We can never guess, because he just keeps you guessing and surprises us all. Two years ago who would have ever guessed the best stick handler in the game would apply his skills to better D and yet be this high in points? The guy is just awesome.

[gcom007 1,465]

I had a feeling even when Zetterberg was on his tear that Datsyuk would pass him in due time. It just has a tendency of happening. Zetterberg's health thus far is definitely looking to be his stumbling block.

[Zion 93]

Have you noticed that he is stronger than last year? He throws checks with authority and is MUCH harder to knock off of his feet, despite primarily using lateral movement to avoid body checks.

I was wondering when the last time he was injured. Hopefully he isn't overplayed this year, and stays fresh for the playoffs, because he has been worth every penny of his contract since signing. He is one of the most exciting players to watch.

[Opie 308]

Have you noticed that he is stronger than last year? He throws checks with authority and is MUCH harder to knock off of his feet, despite primarily using lateral movement to avoid body checks.

I was wondering when the last time he was injured. Hopefully he isn't overplayed this year, and stays fresh for the playoffs, because he has been worth every penny of his contract since signing. He is one of the most exciting players to watch.

It is funny because you don't really see that much improvement to the offensive side of his game (it was damn good to start with), but you can almost mark the days on the calendar as you watch him steadily improve all aspects of his game. He is a great defensive forward, has a very deft poke check, and has really started to hit a lot more this year. Now I am not saying he is a wrecking ball out there but this year his hits have got to be way up from last season.

DZH have proven themselves to be late draft gold, same with Lids. Flip, Mule, Huds could all do the same thing.

Cleary has found a system that fits his work ethic and style of play. And then you have Draper being Draper, so I would take a young guy who is a great skater and do the red wings locker room thing they do, sit him right next to Drapes and let Drapes mentor the young man (for the next 3 years).

The point to this last part, signing Z after July, locking cleary for 4 years at around 8+, Let the Youngsters keep developing and pretty soon, Dats and Z will be the talk of the league because you can't ignore success (well the NHL maybe able to!), this team has the potential to be a classic red wings team.

[heretic69 10]

It is funny because you don't really see that much improvement to the offensive side of his game (it was damn good to start with), but you can almost mark the days on the calendar as you watch him steadily improve all aspects of his game. He is a great defensive forward, has a very deft poke check, and has really started to hit a lot more this year. Now I am not saying he is a wrecking ball out there but this year his hits have got to be way up from last season.DZH have proven themselves to be late draft gold, same with Lids. Flip, Mule, Huds could all do the same thing.

Cleary has found a system that fits his work ethic and style of play. And then you have Draper being Draper, so I would take a young guy who is a great skater and do the red wings locker room thing they do, sit him right next to Drapes and let Drapes mentor the young man (for the next 3 years).

The point to this last part, signing Z after July, locking cleary for 4 years at around 8+, Let the Youngsters keep developing and pretty soon, Dats and Z will be the talk of the league because you can't ignore success (well the NHL maybe able to!), this team has the potential to be a classic red wings team.

Dats had 21 hits in 79 games last season. He has 26 so far this year in 52.

As a side note, Dats led the league with 107 takeaways last season right? Well, he's racked up 90 of those ******* already this season....

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I'm not saying Datsyuk will lead the league come the end of the year, but he brings alot to the table, and in many ways those two factors, consistency and avoiding injury, are two of his greatest attributes, and although he does get a lot of publicity for his moves, I think hes still a pretty underrated player all around. Anyway its nice to see two wings in the top 8.

That's just the difference between an NHL superstar and a brilliantly talented player that gets forgotten over time.

Gretzky was amazing. Mario was better. Gretzky played tons of games with almost no injuries. Mario had cancer. Guess who's on top in the record books. I guess I'm kinda bitter because as a kid I always loved Mario so much more.

Edited February 1, 2008 by Drake_Marcus

[toby91_ca 620]

That's just the difference between an NHL superstar and a brilliantly talented player that gets forgotten over time.

Gretzky was amazing. Mario was better. Gretzky played tons of games with almost no injuries. Mario had cancer. Guess who's on top in the record books. I guess I'm kinda bitter because as a kid I always loved Mario so much more.

Gretzky played the last half of his career with a pretty bad back. He didn't miss many games because of it, but he certainly wasn't the same player after that hit from Suter.

[Turkey 0]

Anyone have the stats on Datsyuk's takeaways this year? That's been my favorite thing about watching him lately, which is saying something when you consider all the magic he does out there. It's like he just skates up and wills the puck onto his stick.

[heretic69 10]

*Points to his last post* --^

Anyone have the stats on Datsyuk's takeaways this year? That's been my favorite thing about watching him lately, which is saying something when you consider all the magic he does out there. It's like he just skates up and wills the puck onto his stick.

[Turkey 0]

*Points to his last post* --^

[Opie 308]

Dats had 21 hits in 79 games last season. He has 26 so far this year in 52.

As a side note, Dats led the league with 107 takeaways last season right? Well, he's racked up 90 of those ******* already this season....

Great stats, he and Z are such great all around talents it awesome.

I mean you can find 20 guys in the NHL that do what they do on offense (respectively Dats moves and passes, Z scoring ability) and you can find 20 guys that play as good as they do defensively, but usually they are two completley different sets of players.

[Earthhuman 8]

That's why this guy gets the nod in my sig. Wait, what happened to my sig? Well it's supposed to be Dats, anyway.

[58Miles2Joe 12]

he's ok.

/puck jedi