Datsyuk has Filppula Under his Wing

[Echolalia 2,961]

There's an article over at nhl.com sucking up to Datsyuk about how dominant of a player he was, especially when it comes to takeaways. Although the article was a nice feel-good read, the last three or four paragraphs refer to Valterri Filppulla following Dats around the ice before and after practices (free time to hone their own skills), and practicing all the stuff that Datsyuk is great at.

Here's the excerpt, and if you're interested in the rest of the article, its one of the headlines over at nhl.com.

“The (other players) know there's opportunity there, but the number one thing is it shows you're a workaholic and you never give up on any 50/50 pucks. That's a direct message to the rest of the team that they better get to work, and that's what leadership is,” [babcock] said.

In fact, Before and after Red Wing practices, the players are allowed to skate around and work on their own skills, and Babcock has noticed that one of his younger players, Valtteri Filppula, has been following Datsyuk around the ice during these sessions while the veteran skater runs mini-clinics in stick, puck, and hand-eye skills.

“He and Filppula work together every day, pulling pucks off the wall, knocking down pucks, stealing pucks off each other: they play keep-away like you can't believe,” Babcock said.

I think I heard something about Datsyuk mentoring Filppula in the past, but its stuff like this that reiterate my hopes that Filpulla can be a solid second liner at the very least, and maybe take away some of the stuff that makes Datsyuk so awesome. Anyway, this year is a big year for him, so we'll see what happens.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

I always compared Flipper to Datsyuk, more then anybody else on the wings...

Flipper is basically a welfare version of Datsyuk... Obviously there game isn't all that similar but both are quick and shifty... and play a solid 2-way game..

[k3sparks 1]

!Put your hands up for Datsyuk!

(I'll get my coat)

[betterREDthandead 58]

Of all the people on the team, Flip needs the least work in chasing down loose pucks, IMO. The other players could take a lesson from him.

[Shutemdown 23]

I always looked at Pav and Hank as equal in superiority. One has dazzling stickwork and puck control, the other is just a powerhouse that can skate right through people.

Datsyuk was the wizard.

Hank was the tank.

Filpulla reminds me alot of a younger Zetterberg. He's got a solid build, strong legs that can skate hard. And his 2-way game reflects Zett's, too.

I don't know if Flip will ever have the same puck control as Datsyuk, (which is hard for anyone, really), but his ability to hang onto the puck in traffic reminds me alot of Zetterberg.

That's just me, though. To others, he may have more of a resemblance to Datsyuk.

[David 2]

Datsyuk's got a considerably higher amount of giveaways than the others mentioned on that list. I wonder if that's something he's setting his eyes on improving this season.

[Dabura 12,232]

I always looked at Pav and Hank as equal in superiority. One has dazzling stickwork and puck control, the other is just a powerhouse that can skate right through people.

Datsyuk was the wizard.

Hank was the tank.

Filpulla reminds me alot of a younger Zetterberg. He's got a solid build, strong legs that can skate hard. And his 2-way game reflects Zett's, too.

I don't know if Flip will ever have the same puck control as Datsyuk, (which is hard for anyone, really), but his ability to hang onto the puck in traffic reminds me alot of Zetterberg.

That's just me, though. To others, he may have more of a resemblance to Datsyuk.

Honestly, if he should be emulating anyone right now, it's Hank. The Flip-Dats comparison is really juicy, but ultimately, Datsyuk is a freak of nature, an anomaly; you can only go so far in emulating him before realizing the guy is able to do what he does because...well, he's just something else. Flip already has wizard hands and good takeaway skills. What he needs now, especially as a checking-line center, is a tenacious, rounded defensive game. Between Hank and Datsyuk, it's a toss-up as to who the better two-way player is -- but in terms of tenacity, Hank has the edge (see: "Hank the Tank").

[Namingway 146]

Now aren't we lucky to have Dats AND Zata?

[Kira 451]

Pasha had Igor Larionov as a mentor. Now Flip is under Pasha's wing (what an awful pun)...we learn from others all the time. And you can bet your rent money that Pasha isn't the only one that Flip is learning from. And that Flip isn't the only one learning from Pasha.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I'm gonna dissent here from the common theory, and suggest that Filppula is the number one guy that should be following Datsyuk around. Of all our offensive players, hes the one whos lived up to his billing the least.

[savaking72 0]

Reading all of this makes me sick. I want to see all of this in action, but we still have a month to wait. The Wings are going to be freak'n awesome this year, and the possibility of this year's team being better than last year's is mind blowing.

[Z and D for the C 712]

I'm gonna dissent here from the common theory, and suggest that Filppula is the number one guy that should be following Datsyuk around. Of all our offensive players, hes the one whos lived up to his billing the least.

Won't this year be only his third full season? Give him a bit of time. I bet he does really well this year.

[FinRedWing 172]

Great article and...

Of all the people on the team, Flip needs the least work in chasing down loose pucks, IMO. The other players could take a lesson from him.

^

an excellent post!

[dicksmack 33]

I'm gonna dissent here from the common theory, and suggest that Filppula is the number one guy that should be following Datsyuk around. Of all our offensive players, hes the one whos lived up to his billing the least.

Not sure what you mean. A ggod comparison would be to Hudler. Filppula was a third round pick; Hudler was a second rounder. This past year, Flip has scored only a handful of points less than Hudler and had a better +/- in reg. season and playoffs. Val is a trusted pk guy with (as Babs said) high-end offensive talent. Until this past year, we really didn't know if Hudler would even be in the NHL for sure, much less a red wing... He's really improved his skating and strength. I'm extremely proud of Huds AND Filppula. When Filpulla wasn't signed, fans of other teams were very interested in their team snagging him.

[Kira 451]

No kidding on that one. I have a friend who is an Islanders fan...he would have sold his soul to get Flip on his team.

[Guest LivingtheDream]

No kidding on that one. I have a friend who is an Islanders fan...he would have sold his soul to get Flip on his team.

ANd I have a Rangers fan who said almost the same thing! Holy Cow, fans from those bitter rivals agreeing on something?

FYI, was looking for this article (links are these very nice things one can often post when referring to an article) and instead found one on "puck thieves." Hossa is mentioned, but then of course you know who takes top billing:

Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk has led the League for the past two seasons, and the shifty Russian forward is quickly developing a name for himself as a threat both with and without the puck.

Like hits, tipped pucks, blocked shots and faceoffs, takeaways encompass their own sort of art form, and the masters each have a unique style. Datsyuk is the emerging medium's Picasso, its Hemingway; a modern-day puck-stealing Michelangelo, but there are a number of others who are looking to unseat the reigning...

Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings

144 takeaways, 68 giveaways

Finally, we come to the unquestioned king of the stealth strike, Datsyuk, whose dominance in this area is well-documented. A deceptively fast forward with inhuman hand-eye coordination and preternatural instincts, Datsyuk's ability to manipulate both pucks and opponents is truly special. What makes him even more dangerous is the fact that the Red Wings are constantly thinking offense, even when in the neutral and defensive zones, so the second Datsyuk moves to steal the puck from an unsuspecting skater, his linemates know what to expect. And they're jumping into holes and looking to start the rush before their stunned opponents even know that hit them.

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=38143...mp;service=page

[Yemack 1]

IMO Pavel is a tactician much like Lidstrom. He is always aware of the situation and he dictates the game by limiting oppositions options (or set up sneaky traps) ... so that the game works to his favour.

I don't think Flip's game is much like Pavel. Obviously Flip has his own game plan but I think he is little closer to Z than Pavel...in a way that skating is central to Flips game. Though, it never hurts to learn a thing or two from Pavel. Flip is blessed to have that kind of opportunity so why waste it?

[HomeNugget 2]

I'm gonna dissent here from the common theory, and suggest that Filppula is the number one guy that should be following Datsyuk around. Of all our offensive players, hes the one whos lived up to his billing the least.

Flip will be fine. He seems to be on pace to be at least as good as Datsyuk offensively.

[dicksmack 33]

I happened to catch game 4 of the WCF vs Anaheim. Filppula blew by Scott Niedermayer twice... The announers said "You'll be hearing that name a lot in the future." He did more of that in SCF vs Pit... that kind of play from a kid against world-class players deep into the playoffs gets noticed (by conscious folks anyways, ahem).

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Reading all of this makes me sick. I want to see all of this in action, but we still have a month to wait. The Wings are going to be freak'n awesome this year, and the possibility of this year's team being better than last year's is mind blowing.

I second!

[Shutemdown 23]

IMO Pavel is a tactician much like Lidstrom. He is always aware of the situation and he dictates the game by limiting oppositions options (or set up sneaky traps) ... so that the game works to his favour.

I don't think Flip's game is much like Pavel. Obviously Flip has his own game plan but I think he is little closer to Z than Pavel...in a way that skating is central to Flips game. Though, it never hurts to learn a thing or two from Pavel. Flip is blessed to have that kind of opportunity so why waste it?

I also see lil Flip as a young Zetterberg! Their styles of play are very similar, Z's just better at it... either way, alot of it came with age.

I can see Filpulla coming into his own in the next 2 seasons and making a name for himself as another big offensive threat... I mean, just look at who he's playing with... if there's anyone to learn the ropes from, it's Pav and Hank.

[motorcitykid 42]

I also see lil Flip as a young Zetterberg! Their styles of play are very similar, Z's just better at it... either way, alot of it came with age.

I can see Filpulla coming into his own in the next 2 seasons and making a name for himself as another big offensive threat... I mean, just look at who he's playing with... if there's anyone to learn the ropes from, it's Pav and Hank.

Nicely put. There's a reason expectations are so high on him. Why some think he's pegged to be just a checking center amazes me. Another season under his belt should vastly improve his development. And I thinks he's almost ready to move to the next level.

And thinking about the skills surrounding him on this team, it really is sweet knowing he's got great guys to wanna emulate!!