Dats & Z > Sid & Malkin

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Really, I know that nothing is won yet; but the Dats and Z line has totally shutdown the Sid line and the 1st unit PP when they are on the ice. And, when Therrien has been backed into a corner and throws them together 5 on 5, they STILL are useless.

Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg is the best tandem in the NHL.

[Dabura 12,232]

Age. As I've been saying all season long, Hank and Dats are untouchable right now. But in a few years, when Crosby and Malkin become more complete, more experienced players, they'll be right up there.

[imisssergei 0]

It's tough to say how long the Pens will be able to keep them together. I imagine Malkin will be the one to leave, but you have to figure that the Wings will have Hank and Pav longer.

[Kira 451]

Let's face it, Henrik and Pasha have definitely given those two a lesson they won't forget. Note to Sid and Geno: You've been outclassed.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

Of course... tsn can blow cindy crysby all they want but were up 2-0 and they're tandem has generated absoloutly nothing.

Oh and Datsyuk as an enforcer> Pens Enforcer

[YoungGuns1340 1]

It's tough to say how long the Pens will be able to keep them together. I imagine Malkin will be the one to leave, but you have to figure that the Wings will have Hank and Pav longer.

The difference is this:

Henrik Zetterberg circa beginning of 2007-2008 season:

"I want to finish my career in Detroit. I dont want to play anywhere else."

Evgeni Malkin circa middle of 2007-2008 season:

"I'm not going to give the Pens a break like Sidney did. I want the max."

And yes. Both players have made these comments in similar words.

[Dabura 12,232]

Wasn't aware Malkin was like that. Interesting.

[dr_lobster 0]

I'd be interested to read that Malkin quote in-context, if you can find it.

But yeah, I mean. Crosby and Malkin are pretty explosive, dynamic players, but so far (and I'll withhold my entire judgment until the end of the playoffs), their will to play in both ends and bring leadership can't measure up to D/Z. Like Dabura said, though -- just because they're relatively comparable tandems doesn't mean we can use the same measuring sticks to compare their value -- age and experience in the NHL are the advantage that Dats and Zetter have, and it's good to see them putting it forward on this stage.

[Reds4Life 51]

At the moment, in this series, Z&D are better, no question.

[Chaldean 0]

The Pens are not going to have both of them at their prime of the careers (age 25-28). Malkin will be gone

[sean 19]

its all about the chemistry tbh. i'd take malkin and crosby over datsyuk and zata on any fantasy team, but clearly they do not work together in the way that dats and zata can. there is actually nearly 0 synergy going on there, from what i've seen.

[sjradio 0]

Malkin is like Crosby are both the same way, came into the league with all they hype in the world, have had everything handed to them on a golden platter when they got to the NHL and so far they think that everybody should just be happy that they are playing for Pittsburgh.

I'm not saying that they didn't earn the positions where they were drafted, they obviously are very talented hockey players. But sometimes that's not enough.

Z and Dats were never though of as "the next ones" They worked at it. They were never thought of in the same light as Malkin and Crosby. They never were expected to be saviours of a franchise.

The Penguins are riding on the benefits of some god awful teams which got them the draft picks to get Malkin and Crosby.

The Wings are riding on the benefits of a scouting staff that understands the team and what they need to succeed.

Malkin and Crosby are not used to things not going their way. They've had the hockey world handed to them and now when reality has set back in. They are incapable of accepting the truth.

The world is not handed to you on a platter, you have to work for it and until they realize that. They will never overcome adversity.

I wonder what will happen when the times comes for their first UFA contract and they don't get what they want. How bad it will be.

Zetterberg and Datsyuk have the heart and desire, right now, Crosby and Malkin don't.

[Vladiator 116]

I would not be suprised if the Z and D line get split up. From the the way I saw Franzen play,, he may play on on the first or second line.

[ben_usmc 253]

The difference is this:

Henrik Zetterberg circa beginning of 2007-2008 season:

"I want to finish my career in Detroit. I dont want to play anywhere else."

Evgeni Malkin circa middle of 2007-2008 season:

"I'm not going to give the Pens a break like Sidney did. I want the max."

And yes. Both players have made these comments in similar words.

can you get a link to these qoutes, I've heard them both before but I'd prefer to read the source myself. Thanks.

[sjradio 0]

I would not be suprised if the Z and D line get split up. From the the way I saw Franzen play,, he may play on on the first or second line.

Probably, I think Franzen was where he was because it was his first game back.

[Datsyerberger 279]

I wonder what will happen when the times comes for their first UFA contract and they don't get what they want. How bad it will be.

I think Crosby has shown he's willing to take a cut, if necessary (and within reason) in order to lead a team and stay competitive. I think he's the genuine article, and he could be earning a bigger paycheck than he is right now. Perhaps its players exactly like Lids and Dats that have set an example for him in that regard.

Malkin, on the other hand, seems more high on himself and seems very Yashin-esque in some aspects. I hope he proves me wrong but I'm not liking what I've been seeing.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Malkin's line from Game 2: -2, one minor penalty, zero shots on goal. Just for reference.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Pavel and Hank are more complete players than Crosby and Malkin, thus when either team gets trapped in their own zone, Pavel and Hank know what to do, while Crosby and Malkin just skate around aimlessly in their defensive zone hoping to get some kind of breakaway.

Who knows, maybe in 5 years they'll become great all-around players, but right now they aren't quite there.

[VM1138 1,921]

Pavel and Hank are more complete players than Crosby and Malkin, thus when either team gets trapped in their own zone, Pavel and Hank know what to do, while Crosby and Malkin just skate around aimlessly in their defensive zone hoping to get some kind of breakaway.

Who knows, maybe in 5 years they'll become great all-around players, but right now they aren't quite there.

Let's hope all this talk isn't premature. We're only up 2 games to none.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Let's hope all this talk isn't premature. We're only up 2 games to none.

Oh no, not this again. The Pens are overrated and are mentally defeated. Even the Stars didn't whine this much when we were up 3-0.

Besides, everything in my post was quoted for truth. Crosby and Malkin aren't as complete all-around players as Pavel and Hank.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I would not be suprised if the Z and D line get split up. From the the way I saw Franzen play,, he may play on on the first or second line.

I'm sorry, but how can you say that. The Wings have dominated the first two games of the SCF's, and once its started to matter the most the Wings have gotten secondary scoring from the second line consistently in the playoffs.

The fact of the matter is no matter how good Z-Dats are apart, they are infinitely better (and more effective) together. Combined that with a second line that has been beyond clicking for the past few months, and all of a sudden you have two incredible top lines, followed by one of the best shutdown lines, followed by a 4th line that has been getting timely goals. On top of all this, if Babs didn't change up the lines in Games 5 & 6 of the WCF's, what makes you think he would (or should) change up the lines in Game 3 of SCF's where the Wings have absolutely dominated the first two games?

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

I would not be suprised if the Z and D line get split up. From the the way I saw Franzen play,, he may play on on the first or second line.

I think that all depends on what matchups the Pens put out having last change now.

[servo 15]

Age. As I've been saying all season long, Hank and Dats are untouchable right now. But in a few years, when Crosby and Malkin become more complete, more experienced players, they'll be right up there.

Assuming that they stay together in 3 years if you paired Crosby and Malkin they would be SUPER scary. Even this year Malkin has really grown as a player.

I wonder who will be the 1st to go to another organization for more $$$$ Staal, Malkin or Fleury? Probably Malkin unless Stall gets a chance to go play with his brother.

I still can't believe how friggin fast Crosby is. that guy looks like he is shot out of a rocket.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I think that all depends on what matchups the Pens put out having last change now.

I respectfully disagree. At this point, there is no need to change the lines regardless of the matchups the Pens come out with tomorrow. If the Wings get down by a goal or two, then I will agree but until that happens you have to stick with whats working and clicking.

[edicius 3,269]

It's tough to say how long the Pens will be able to keep them together. I imagine Malkin will be the one to leave, but you have to figure that the Wings will have Hank and Pav longer.

I don't know if I'm way off on this, but I get the feeling that Malkin is to Crosby as Fedorov was to Yzerman. I'm not even factoring in the coincidence that Malkin is Russian either.

Malkin wants to be "the man" and that spot will always belong to Sid on the Pens.