Pavel Datsyuk

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

As you can tell from my username, I definitely have developed a liking for Pavel Datsyuk. But what you wouldn't know is that over the course of his career I have been as big of a skeptic as anyone else, particularly with regards to the playoffs.

With that said, Datsyuk has come so far over his short-lived career. Specifically over the last 2 seasons, Datsyuk has become not only one of the most skilled athletes in the NHL but also one of the most competitive, hard-working and effective players in the league.

This quote was taken after game 3 in an article focusing around Zetterberg and Datsyuk's play: "No magic," Datsyuk said. "In the playoffs you have to go hard to the net -- and that's what we did."

4 years ago, Datsyuk would hardly ever be caught dead driving to the net, rather playing the periphery of the rink looking to set up plays.

Now, he has not only maintained (or possible improved) his playmaking abilities, but has developed his play into one that can be multi-dimensional (crashing the net, hitting, stingy defnese). He's an all-around amazing player.

Sorry for the rant, I just wanted to take a minute to applaud Pavel for how far he has come.

[Hockey Junkie 0]

As you can tell from my username, I definitely have developed a liking for Pavel Datsyuk. But what you wouldn't know is that over the course of his career I have been as big of a skeptic as anyone else, particularly with regards to the playoffs.

With that said, Datsyuk has come so far over his short-lived career. Specifically over the last 2 seasons, Datsyuk has become not only one of the most skilled athletes in the NHL but also one of the most competitive, hard-working and effective players in the league.

This quote was taken after game 3 in an article focusing around Zetterberg and Datsyuk's play: "No magic," Datsyuk said. "In the playoffs you have to go hard to the net -- and that's what we did."

4 years ago, Datsyuk would hardly ever be caught dead driving to the net, rather playing the periphery of the rink looking to set up plays.

Now, he has not only maintained (or possible improved) his playmaking abilities, but has developed his play into one that can be multi-dimensional (crashing the net, hitting, stingy defnese). He's an all-around amazing player.

Sorry for the rant, I just wanted to take a minute to applaud Pavel for how far he has come.

Here, here. As far as I'm concerned, hes' the best player in the league.

[Opie 308]

Complete player!!!

[AUWingsFan 0]

I've always been a huge Pavel fan! This playoff season I've been very impressed with how hard he's been working...he always works hard, but he really seems to have taken his "hustle" to another level.....

Now my big wish for the off season is for the Wings to get Pav and Hank some secret boxing lessons so they could surprise some folks and pummel people who try to harass them.....

[Yzermania 156]

I've never been skeptical of him. Right after his rookie season when we won the cup, I got a datsyuk jersey with the cup patch on it and everything. He pretty much immediately became my second favorite player that season right behind stevy. I always knew he would eventually excel. I remember wearing the jersey right when I got it to a hockey practice and some other kid questioned why I got a jersey of him and I told him that he'd be the future of the team...6 years later, looks like I was right on with that statement. Though I must admit, this season I have seen such an incredible improvement in his whole game that it's honestly quite ridiculous. There wil be four guys surrounding him and somehow pavs pops out of the pile with the puck. I've never watched a player that consistently makes my jaw drop every game like he does.

[up2here 41]

If you asked me to pick between Pavel and Hank my brain would go into meltdown.

[Opie 308]

If you asked me to pick between Pavel and Hank my brain would go into meltdown.

I can't imagine, where would you start, well Dats has great hands, hmm so doesn't Z.

Well Z plays great defense, hmm so does dats.

Well dats is a great player in both zones, and never gives up on a play, what is that you say same with Z!!!

Damn it!!

That whole conversation would be going on in my head!!!

The only slight advantage I could give to Z would be age!

Edited May 13, 2008 by Opie

[Wing Fanatic 3]

Pavel and Hank have both stepped it up and have become what many knew they could be. Here's to a long career as a Redwing for both of them! Perhaps someday, we will be retiring their jerseys........

[up2here 41]

I can't imagine, where would you start, well Dats has great hands, hmm so doesn't Z.

Well Z plays great defense, hmm so does dats.

Well dats is a great player in both zones, and never gives up on a play, what is that you say same with Z!!!

Damn it!!

That whole conversation would be going on in my head!!!The only slight advantage I could give to Z would be age!

Thats your brain going into meltdown. I advise you to stop thinking about it immediately before you do permanent damage.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I can't imagine, where would you start, well Dats has great hands, hmm so doesn't Z.

Well Z plays great defense, hmm so does dats.

Well dats is a great player in both zones, and never gives up on a play, what is that you say same with Z!!!

Damn it!!

That whole conversation would be going on in my head!!!

The only slight advantage I could give to Z would be age!

And the only slight advantage you could give Dats is a healthy back.

Dammit, right back to square one.

It's a great problem to have two of the most elite players in the world not only on the same team, but the same line continuously pushing the other to get even better than their current top of the game ranking. Scary!

[Opie 308]

Thats your brain going into meltdown. I advise you to stop thinking about it immediately before you do permanent damage.

No s*** my 360 got the three lights of failure, Microsoft fixed it (eventually). But I am not sure they could fix it if my Brain got the three lights of DEATH!!!

[up2here 41]

No s*** my 360 got the three lights of failure, Microsoft fixed it (eventually). But I am not sure they could fix it if my Brain got the three lights of DEATH!!!

Plus I would never trust Microsoft to ship me a box good enough to ship my brain.

[Graybeard 0]

I might have to give the edge to Dats. Incredible as it seems considering just how easy he was pushed around on the boards a few years ago, I think it's his more physical play that tips the scales ever so slightly. He's a freakin hitter now, who'd have thunk it.

[Opie 308]

And the only slight advantage you could give Dats is a healthy back.

Dammit, right back to square one.

It's a great problem to have two of the most elite players in the world not only on the same team, but the same line continuously pushing the other to get even better than their current top of the game ranking. Scary!

Dammit, I thought I had something there, and then you go and prove the problem to still exist.

In all seriousness though, you are right having those two right now is a blessing from the Hockey gods!!! Especially when you consider (I know, I know dead horse) how low they were drafted!!

Plus I would never trust Microsoft to ship me a box good enough to ship my brain.

LOL so true!!

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I can't imagine, where would you start, well Dats has great hands, hmm so doesn't Z.

Well Z plays great defense, hmm so does dats.

Well dats is a great player in both zones, and never gives up on a play, what is that you say same with Z!!!

Damn it!!

That whole conversation would be going on in my head!!!

The only slight advantage I could give to Z would be age!

I'll go with Datsyuk every single time as I have stated many times in the past.

There's nothing he can't do almost better than any other player in the league.

Last night was fantastic watching Z put moves on, especially on his goal and on the assist to Dats 3rd goal.

But realistically, those are more exceptions with him. Z challenges alot but when he drives the middle of the ice and tries to make moves he doesn't succeed as often.

Now Datsyuk, the moves that Z made yesterday, Dats pretty much makes every game. Nobody is shiftier, nobody stickhandles better and nobody in the league except for Lidstrom is any smarter than Datsyuk when it comes to hockey sense.

Lids and Dats are the Bobby Fisher and Boris Spassky of the NHL.

[David 2]

Considering the potential he showed early in his career, this isn't a HUGE surprise. He's always showed he could make incredible plays handling the puck and making other players look foolish with moves. Now he does it almost every night. It's possible that his lack of grit or strength earlier originated from the fact he was shy and didn't really know the other people in the league. With experience, he has learned exactly what needs to be done every game to put the team at an advantage.

Seeing how hard Datsyuk works proves that hard work and determination pays off. I hope he is duly rewarded with the cup this year, and possibly some individual awards that he has certainly earned.

[gowingsgo 3]

Pavel finally has overcome the "he can't produce in the playoffs" label. He's solid.

[Guest LivingtheDream]

Well some us weren't skeptical and saw a great player evolving from day one. I guess some people are just smarter than others and see things more clearly. Read the book Blink. We have it, you don't. Still, it takes no great genius to imagine that the most insane raw skills in the NHL will eventually lead to something. Again, what is more confusing is how others somehow missed that.

Speaking of genius ideas, where are all the calls to split up Hank and Dats now? You know, so we can "spread our offense around." Gee, we really could have spread around those 6 points and 4 goals last night. Gee, the press is only full of comments about these two and this line having nothing to stop it. Jesus, people using cliches as a substitute for thinking are such a waste of time. Take the two most dynamic mind reading connected psychically players in the game and... let see... I got it, split them up! Such logic, such rationale thought processes.

Sorry, but I have no patience for these Johnny Come Lately Dats-is-my-man fans unless you get on your e-knees ceremoniously and kiss the ass of the man who is making hockey wet dreams come true. Hanks ass is next for some of you too. Pucker up.

[selkie 10]

My first impression of Dats was along the line of "little guy sure knows how to move and have people miss the check on him". Great mobility, good use of the stick. I saw him as Slava Kozlov 2.0, number and all, so call him someone who would evolve into a very useful offensive player capable of a pretty goal here and there.

Needless to say, I've been thrilled to see him go far beyond that.

[Kira 451]

I don't have to tell you guys what I think of Pasha. I've always been a strong advocate for him, always believed in him, always known that he was an amazing and talented player. To see his game come to the level it has over time has been so fun to watch, and I know in my heart that he still hasn't hit his peak yet. I can't imagine how much higher his game can and will go, but I just thank God that we will be the ones to watch it grow and evolve even more than it has.

What was said in the first statement brought to mind the last sentence of something he wrote for a book called, "What It Means to be a Red Wing" (if you haven't read it, get it)..."My life as an NHL hockey player, and as a man, started in Detroit."

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

Here, here. As far as I'm concerned, hes' the best player in the league.

Next to Zetterberg..

[58Miles2Joe 12]

eh, he's ok

[Datsyerberger 279]

Been a fan of Datsyuk since I heard of him, tried to follow him closely ever since. He's just got such style, it's freakin' sweet.

Since he's worked on his body and stepped up his physical game, I hold him up as currently the best all-around forward in the league. Shortly behind is his euro twin Zetterberg, but I think Pasha has a touch more flair. And you can't help but like the funny-looking bugger. Regardless, they're an astounding pair. The only reason I say best all-around forward and not best all-around player is because of the genius known as Lidstrom. Crosby has some serious talent, but he can have his goals.. until he starts playing as much of a developed two-way game as Dats, or Z, he takes a side seat for me.

[Nev 1,085]

Good article in todays Freep

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...399/1048/sports

Yep, it has been a wonderful journey watching his rookie season, from the rookie with the dazzling stick-handling, to becoming the DOMINANT 2-way player he is today.

BTW, I think Babcock deserves a lot of credit - he's clearly pushed/cajoled/encouraged/coached Datsyuk beyond the player he was, into the force he is.

For all Ozzies wins and Franzens goals, Pav is still my MVP so far simply because of his all around play, every time he is on the ice.

[Opie 308]

Good article in todays Freep

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...399/1048/sports

Yep, it has been a wonderful journey watching his rookie season, from the rookie with the dazzling stick-handling, to becoming the DOMINANT 2-way player he is today.

BTW, I think Babcock deserves a lot of credit - he's clearly pushed/cajoled/encouraged/coached Datsyuk beyond the player he was, into the force he is.

For all Ozzies wins and Franzens goals, Pav is still my MVP so far simply because of his all around play, every time he is on the ice.

Great article, Holland and Illitch must have been s***ting bricks.

I wish more LGWers had the same opinion of D and Z as Holland though:

"They are so close," Holland said. "Who do you like better? Well, tonight one's better and tomorrow the other is better. One (Datsyuk) is the better playmaker and the other is the better scorer. But (Monday) night the scorer was the better playmaker and the playmaker was the better scorer. It's amazing how intertwined they are."