The Let's Hear it for Datsyuk Thread!

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Wow, what a season for Datsyuk!

I just wanted to point out some things as despite a lack of fanfare Dats has just posted one of the greatest and most complete, all around seasons by a Wings forward that I can recall.

4th in points

2nd in assists

1st in takeaways

1st in plus/minus

82 games played

46 points at home, 51 points on the road

He showed up every night. He outperformed the rest of the Wings on the road where many an offensive player posts weaker numbers than at home.

Injuries and luck are crucial now as we all know. And we need Zetterberg and Homer to be healthy and the goalies to play well.

But IMO, Pavel Datsyuk and how well or poorly he plays is going to determine our fate.

Datsyuk for the Con Smyth! And the Byng and the Selke too!

[redwings56 1]

I 100% agree!!! he played his best every night, every shift.

also you must mention that he only went pointless for 19 games this season. INCREDIBLE. he lead the team when Z was out and hasen't stopped since.

All those people that say he can't perform in the playoff, just watch this year, AND also last year's performance should show those people that he does show up in the playoffs. last year 18 games 8G's 8A's +2 , 2GW

GO PASHA!

[Opie 308]

The messed up part is that this is technically the START of his prime!!!!!!!

[rick zombo 3,739]

A repeat performance of last years playoffs for Pavel (with a few more points on the road) and the Wings will be in good shape.

[Barrie 900]

All those people that say he can't perform in the playoff, just watch this year, AND also last year's performance should show those people that he does show up in the playoffs. last year 18 games 8G's 8A's +2 , 2GW

GO PASHA!

Well not to take anything away from Dats, but until last year, he didn't show up in the playoffs. I'm glad this year he's got no distractions when it comes to scoring, the monkey is off his back. He can start flying right away with not many worries.

This year we'll need Dats and Z to score more points on the road. Despite what the media is saying about our team, Goaltening is average, we're to old, etc., I think the key to our playoffs is Datsyuk and Zetterberg performing on the road.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

He is the 4th Wing in franchise history to lead the team in points 3 consecutive seasons:

Lindsay, Howe, Yzerman, Datsyuk

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

for sure congrats to him!!!! what an awesome reg season. can't wait to see us play in the playoffs. i feel great things will happen!!

[David 2]

win or lose, datsyuk consistently makes me excited to watch every wings game. if i lived closer to detroit, i'd pay the price of admission to see him play every night.

[toby91_ca 620]

The messed up part is that this is technically the START of his prime!!!!!!!

Huh? Since you use the word "technically" I'm curious. Do you have some sort of technical answer as to what age a player hits his prime? Maybe it is getting later these days, but I've always thought a player hits his prime around the age of 26.

Datsyuk will be 30 in a few months, so I don't quite see how one could suggest he's just entering his prime. I don't believe his anywhere near approaching the downhill yet, but I don't think he's just entering his prime either.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Huh? Since you use the word "technically" I'm curious. Do you have some sort of technical answer as to what age a player hits his prime? Maybe it is getting later these days, but I've always thought a player hits his prime around the age of 26.

Datsyuk will be 30 in a few months, so I don't quite see how one could suggest he's just entering his prime. I don't believe his anywhere near approaching the downhill yet, but I don't think he's just entering his prime either.

I think that line is so blurred these days. I remember 6-7 years ago your "prime" would've been around 28-32.

Now, I don't think it'd be far fetched to say there really isn't a prime.

Look at how many players in their early 20's lead the league in scoring or just play lights out.

I look at Crosby and I don't see him getting any better or worse statistically for the next 10 years. That has mostly to do with how the game has evolved. What I mean by that is that I don't think Crosby is going to score 160 points some year in the future unless the state of the game makes it possible for players to put up those kind of numbers. And if the game does not change I think what you'll see is a guy like Crosby (barring injury) will be a 100-130 point guy ever year. And if that's the case, how can you distinguish prime anymore?

[Opie 308]

Huh? Since you use the word "technically" I'm curious. Do you have some sort of technical answer as to what age a player hits his prime? Maybe it is getting later these days, but I've always thought a player hits his prime around the age of 26.

Datsyuk will be 30 in a few months, so I don't quite see how one could suggest he's just entering his prime. I don't believe his anywhere near approaching the downhill yet, but I don't think he's just entering his prime either.

I guess technically was the wrong term, but the prime of a players career is usually around 30(give or take a couple of years, but as GS&T pointed out, that is not really the case anymore. See AO!!!!

But physical maturity in Males is usually completed some where between 25 and 30 depending on the person, that was sort of where I was going, so I guess my wording could have used some help!

But based on the growth Pavel has made he is just rounding into a complete player and all stages of his game are catching up with his sick offensive skill.

I would say that both Dats and Z are in their prime based on developing into a complete player, the only thing I see either of them lacking is leadership and that is only because of the veteran presence that has always been around them. That doesn't mean in the Locker Room they aren't leaders, just I am not in the locker room and have no idea.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

GREAT JOB PASHA

[12Newf 0]

way to go dats! impressed and surprised the hell out of me and easily worth the $6.7m!

[RedWingedKitten 9]

DATSYYYYYYYYYUUUUUUUUUUUKKKK!!!! Woooooooo! Congrats on a great year!

[BlueMonk 102]

I can't say enough about him. He's had a terrific season and he's one of the most exciting players in the league. The guy plays so hard at both ends. For someone so talented, he works his ass off.

And for pure "wow factor," I can't think of anyone who has more than him.

[Guest Jeremy88]

Dats is awesome. That's why he's my favorite wing. That and his humorous personality.

[Kira 451]

Ever since he came to Detroit, I knew he would become something special...you could see it even then. How wonderful that we have been able to watch him grow and change, to become more than what he could have been. On the ice, he's such a blast to watch. He leaves me sitting on the edge of the chair every night. I never know what trick he's gonna pull out of his bag

Off the ice, he has gone from a wallflower who didn't speak a word of English to a charming, generous, gracious, kind, sweet and marvelous gentleman. Of all the Wings I've had the pleasure of meeting, no one has come close to Pasha...he's incredible. A wicked sense of humor, a poetic way with words, generosity beyond belief...he's just amazing.

Congrats, Pasha. I hope you know we are proud of you.

[Guest Leary Biscuit]

I can't say enough about him. He's had a terrific season and he's one of the most exciting players in the league. The guy plays so hard at both ends. For someone so talented, he works his ass off.

And for pure "wow factor," I can't think of anyone who has more than him.

yeah dats is amazing to watch on the ice, i think he deserves consideration for the hart trophy, not saying he'll get it but he should at least be up there, number 1 in +/- number 1 in take aways and 4th overall in scoring, he definitely deserves more votes than iginla.

[Reds4Life 51]

Pavel has really impressed me, and this is just beginning of his prime..he's worth every $.

[WiNgSowN 0]

Way to go Dats! He's one of the best players in the NHL and he doesn't get the recognition never gets as much spotlight as crosby, ovechkin, malkin, thornton, iginla, etc. He is on the best team and he leads his team night in and night out. He is the best defensive forward along with Zetterburg but yet he gets no respect. I think he will outshine everybody these playoffs make it impossible to overlook him. But I'm sure it don't bother him anyway he's so humble always puts his teammates first ie: led the league in assists.

[daniel1 32]

Yep, he's exceeded my expectations that's for sure. I never pictured him as a Selke candidate when he was feeding Brett Hull all those pretty passes. His takeaways and backchecking are what sets him apart from guys like Ovi and Vinny, for this reason I think we get more for our money than the other team do. I'm curious to know if the attention to the defensive aspects of the game were his idea or the influence of another, maybe Babs or Stevie Y? His 6.7 now looks like a steal, in 2 years it will look like highway robbery, in 4 years it will appear as though Kenny was taking candy from a baby. I hope we lock up Z for just as long and just as much. Here's hoping to Dats and the rest of the team sipping from the Cup in a few weeks.

[puckloo39 5,686]

Z is the flash, but Dats is the consistent one. No way he doesn't win the Selke.

But he'd rather have another Stanley Cup, I bet.

So smart, Kenny, to lock this man up as a Wing. He will retire a Red Wing one day (a long time from now), if we're lucky.

[Chase 0]

I was actually just about to make a thread like this!!

Congrats to Dats on a great season. IMO, he is the wings MVP of 07-08.

:beerbuddy:

Edited April 8, 2008 by Chase

[Kira 451]

A question to all the people on this board who said not long ago that Pasha doesn't deserve to win the Selke - do you still feel that way? Or are you coming around to our way of thinking? There is a nice little groundswell movement for this to happen, and the voices are getting louder...are you listening????

[Spinner 6]

I've been impressed with Dats since the first time I saw him play. He was bouncing pucks off the back of the net to get around the opposing player and left him standing there dumbfounded. What amazes me is that he gets better every year. He is most definately my favorite player to watch.