isbister 0 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 I haven't really started a thread, but thought I would on my favorite player. I am very happy with Dats this season and think we are seeing a player we might not have expected. Sure, we know the guy has the highlight moves and a wicked shot (wrister is deadly IMO), but it is his complete game and pitching in on D that is, again IMO, demonstrative of a guy playing to win for the team, not just boost his own stats. This is a kind of leadership that speaks much louder than words - heck it is almost Yzerman-esque. Need evidence, try his +33 as of now, second in the whole league to who... Lidstrom of course. I mean, who would have called that last summer? I'm not getting into the old Hank vs Pavel thing, because both are fantastic, but when people say Hank is a complete player (which he is) it is almost as if they are saying Dats is not and I just don't think that holds water anymore. This is a guy who has repeatedly changed/evolved his game and approach to the better. Bravo Pavel! I'm gonna put this out there, if you don't like it send it right back. I want to be on you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 Great signing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kira 451 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 The whole "trade Datsyuk' affair of last season (most especially the 'Datsyuk for Gomez' thread, which you should all read and accept your share of crow-eating from), coupled with what Datsyuk went on to do after being signed, should have taught some people here a lesson about the 'Gimme now! The future doesn't matter!' attitude... but it didn't. Datsyuk has been splendid, and seven years at $6.7m makes him an absolute steal. I'll bring the barbecue sauce...it makes the crow a little more palatable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 Lidstrom is definitly the greatest leader on the team. Definitly is a stellar all around player but Offensive side he is great for a defensemen. Dats is stellar on the D side and absolutely amazing on the O. I still say Dats has the edge but it is close. Amen to that doggy, they are. In order for Datsyuk to ever be in Lidstroms realm in terms of completeness, hed have to be a top 5 forward all time and be bringing Selke like defense every year. Because Lids is #1 in the league at his position, and #1 offensively at his position as well. Datsyuk is complete and all, but nowhere near Lidstrom. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kira 451 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 Also Datsyuk is great because he provided my highlight of the regular season. Who else remembers Gretzky going mental after Pav scored the game-winner with a few mins left in Arizona?? Damn that was good!! I remember that - I laughed my ass off. You didn't have to be able to read lips to know what he was saying...it definitely wasn't repeatable on network tv! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dicksmack 33 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 I remember being at a Wings/Canucks game in Van and loudly marvelling at Datsyuk's doing the pacman thru the Nucks and some idiot yelled "He's good but he's soft and one-dimensional!" I yelled back "Well he's no Sedin..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kira 451 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 Just remember who has a Stanley Cup and who doesn't... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dicksmack 33 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 Well Kira, canuckleheads are a jealous lot as Pavel is neither soft nor one-dimensional... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KronwallCRUNCH 5 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 The whole "trade Datsyuk' affair of last season (most especially the 'Datsyuk for Gomez' thread, which you should all read and accept your share of crow-eating from), coupled with what Datsyuk went on to do after being signed, should have taught some people here a lesson about the 'Gimme now! The future doesn't matter!' attitude... but it didn't. Datsyuk has been splendid, and seven years at $6.7m makes him an absolute steal. hahaha Datsyuk for Gomez. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RainingBlood 8 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 With Brind'Amour getting injured earlier in the season, he's got a better chance. This is a very tough award to judge though. Guys like Sharp, Fisher, Madden, Zetterberg, Kesler and Langkow have all had very good seasons and deserve recognition. as far as forechecking centers go he is one of the best. I dunno this season seems to be his best defensive season ever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RainingBlood 8 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 With Brind'Amour getting injured earlier in the season, he's got a better chance. This is a very tough award to judge though. Guys like Sharp, Fisher, Madden, Zetterberg, Kesler and Langkow have all had very good seasons and deserve recognition. as far as forechecking centers go he is one of the best. I dunno this season seems to be his best defensive season ever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lets go pavel 2 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 I'm gonna put this out there, if you don't like it send it right back. I want to be on you. uhhh ... apart from that being about the worst pick-up line ever, unless i'm mistaken you just expressed your desire to mount another dude ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doggy 130 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 uhhh ... apart from that being about the worst pick-up line ever, unless i'm mistaken you just expressed your desire to mount another dude ... Gold. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IceMunkee 15 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 In order for Datsyuk to ever be in Lidstroms realm in terms of completeness, hed have to be a top 5 forward all time and be bringing Selke like defense every year. Because Lids is #1 in the league at his position, and #1 offensively at his position as well. Datsyuk is complete and all, but nowhere near Lidstrom. I guess we can agree to disagree. I am not in the market to be told what I think. Anyhow I don't want to compare the two, positionally it is impossible. I will stand by the fact the Dats is one of the most important pieces to the puzzle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedArmy 4 Report post Posted March 10, 2008 Datsyuk is awesome lol. Definately my favorite player right now on the Wings. He used to make me nervous before because wings sometimes would get caught in their own end when datsyuk's line was on the line, especially against oppositions larger more physical lines. Doesn't happen these days, Datsyuk seems to outsmart them and outplay them. I think he did surpass a lot of expectations. For me it was probably when he took the MVP of the russian super league during the lock out, I thought for sure he is going to come back to NHL a better more mature player. I think goal wise he will end up doing more in the next 2 years... I would say he is the most complete wings forward right now and is top 10 in nhl for sure. (LIdstrom is still the best Red Wings player though) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
