Datsyuk Last Night

[WingNutt 12]

Pavel had a awesome game last night, as most of you know, but for some reason he always plays well against his pal Nabakov not sure if its a friendly competition thing or what. He made great plays all night, and I think all were even strength as well. Imagine if Pavel, Hank, and Marian all were on top of their game then throw in are other guys who catch on fire at random times, and we would be really hard to match. Just have to figure out our goaltending situation.

also Pavel's interview was great as well, I like when he was talking about his Christmas presents, then the guy interviewing him asked "well maybe 4 points against the Sharks is your Christmas gift", then Pavel says yeah but I want more gifts or something a long those lines. Classic Pasha.

[b.shanafan14 733]

Yeah, Pav was great last night. Great interview too. Unfortunately, he got snubbed on the NHL 3 stars of the night. Two players got hat tricks, they were the 1st and 3rd stars and who got the 2nd star? Evgeni Malkin with 2g (one empty-net), 2a, +3, 35% FO in a win against the Thrashers which must certainly trump Pavel Datsyuk 2g, 2a, +4, 53% FO in a win against the #1 team in the league, the Sharks. Penguins bias much?

Its ok, Pav, we know who the man is.

[finalfilppula 2]

anyone have video of this interview?

[Opie 308]

Linky to post game interviews

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

He had a crazy game.

The interview I thought was funny.

[Kira 451]

It was such a joy to be at the game last night and watch him. The first goal he held on to that puck with such incredible patience, and the second was pure artistry. Not to mention that pass to Hossa - my goodness, that pass was almost blind but dead on target. I was screaming like a maniac watching him last night. What fun! I only hope Saturday night is just as good.

[Louisville 112]

I was at the game last night and he was incredible. Just smart passes and plays all around.

[TheOwl 77]

Nabokov played a weak game, Detroit was too good. The best Sharks-Datsyuk moment had to be 2 years ago in the 2nd round versus the Sharks, where Nabakov tried to clear the puck, Daty's batted it down high in the air and scored in on a break away.

[CrossoverThrash 0]

Nabokov played a weak game, Detroit was too good. The best Sharks-Datsyuk moment had to be 2 years ago in the 2nd round versus the Sharks, where Nabakov tried to clear the puck, Daty's batted it down high in the air and scored in on a break away.

there is another vid i think of 04 where datsyuk undresses nabokov

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Nabokov played a weak game, Detroit was too good. The best Sharks-Datsyuk moment had to be 2 years ago in the 2nd round versus the Sharks, where Nabakov tried to clear the puck, Daty's batted it down high in the air and scored in on a break away.

I have to say it, I am a die hard USA guy. But I'll admit the most exciting players, and I mean really, really exciting players I have seen over the years have all been Russian. It's no secret I think Dats is the best player in the league (most complete). And man is he exciting to watch.

I wonder who I would vote for if asked who the most exciting Russian i've ever seen is.

Datsyuk?

Kovalchuk?

Ovechkin?

Bure?

Fedorov?

[CrossoverThrash 0]

I have to say it, I am a die hard USA guy. But I'll admit the most exciting players, and I mean really, really exciting players I have seen over the years have all been Russian. It's no secret I think Dats is the best player in the league (most complete). And man is he exciting to watch.

I wonder who I would vote for if asked who the most exciting Russian i've ever seen is.

Datsyuk?

Kovalchuk?

Ovechkin?

Bure?

Fedorov?

no nothign is more exciting than seeing syd

[Chunkylover 26]

Nabokov played a weak game, Detroit was too good. The best Sharks-Datsyuk moment had to be 2 years ago in the 2nd round versus the Sharks, where Nabakov tried to clear the puck, Daty's batted it down high in the air and scored in on a break away.

My favorite Datsyuk/Sharks moment was when he vanished on Mike Grier and Grier ended up taking out Clowe.

[Slave 31]

My favorite Datsyuk/Sharks moment was when he vanished on Mike Grier and Grier ended up taking out Clowe.

yup

[pjgj13 30]

I have to say it, I am a die hard USA guy. But I'll admit the most exciting players, and I mean really, really exciting players I have seen over the years have all been Russian. It's no secret I think Dats is the best player in the league (most complete). And man is he exciting to watch.

I wonder who I would vote for if asked who the most exciting Russian i've ever seen is.

Datsyuk?

Kovalchuk?

Ovechkin?

Bure?

Fedorov?

I would say Dats. He has the stick handling skils never seen before. When someone steal the puck from him, he gets it back A LOT (or damn near close). With a close 2nd it would have to be between Bure and Feds, with Feds edging out Bure as he always seemed to get injured. The other 2 are climbing their way up, but I haven't seen them play too much.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I have to say it, I am a die hard USA guy. But I'll admit the most exciting players, and I mean really, really exciting players I have seen over the years have all been Russian. It's no secret I think Dats is the best player in the league (most complete). And man is he exciting to watch.

I wonder who I would vote for if asked who the most exciting Russian i've ever seen is.

Datsyuk?

Kovalchuk?

Ovechkin?

Bure?

Fedorov?

Fedorov easily. In his prime he was an absolute monster. Until last year he was the last person to score 5 goals in a game.

Feds had such a sickening amount of pure, raw talent it was amazing. He scored at will, could skate laps around the competition and his defensive play was so good Bowman said he could win a Norris.

Unlike Datsyuk and Ovechkin, Fedorov was lazy. He definitely took his skill for granted and sat back quite a bit after making a name for himself in his MVP season. Motivation was always the problem for Feds. I honesly believe that if he had the work ethic of Zetterberg he'd be considered one of the greatest players all time. He was just that skilled.

[b.shanafan14 733]

Fedorov easily. In his prime he was an absolute monster. Until last year he was the last person to score 5 goals in a game.

Feds had such a sickening amount of pure, raw talent it was amazing. He scored at will, could skate laps around the competition and his defensive play was so good Bowman said he could win a Norris.

Unlike Datsyuk and Ovechkin, Fedorov was lazy. He definitely took his skill for granted and sat back quite a bit after making a name for himself in his MVP season. Motivation was always the problem for Feds. I honesly believe that if he had the work ethic of Zetterberg he'd be considered one of the greatest players all time. He was just that skilled.

Thats a great observation on Fedorov, I've always said the same thing, the guy had more raw talent then he knew what to do with and an ego to match, but never felt he needed to work much at it. He was always the counter-point to Yzerman because Steve was working injured for half of his career, and even though his pure explosive ability had been lost with the knee injuries, he worked his ass off and held himself to higher standard of accountability and we loved him for it. Fedorov on the other hand was all talent, could score at will in his prime, but it was inevitable that he would eventually hit a snag and wouldn't have it in him to persevere, which is the post-Red Wings Fedorov we see today. Unlike Yzerman, Fedorov always had one foot out the door, often holding the management hostage for the big money, until they finally called his bluff.

Dragging the topic back on course, we really do have something great in Pavel Datsyuk. We have a guy who needs no accolades beyond that of his teammates and himself, he's humble but confident and his shy but charismatic disposition is not unlike a right-off-the-boat Russian version of Steve. Pavel could have easily become even a reasonable amount of arrogant and left this team for spotlight and spending elsewhere or held management hostage ala Fedorov and dragged it to the deadline for a lot of coin. But instead we have him for at least five more seasons after this one and at an easy $6.7mil.

And if the last couple games is any indicator (9pts last 4 games, 6pt last 2 games), he is heating up and looking to lead the Red Wings in scoring for another consecutive season.

Edited December 21, 2008 by b.shanafan14

[RedWingedKitten 9]

Another 3 points tonight. Pasha's playing like someone slapped his mama, slapped her hard.

[egroen 384]

Pavel could have easily become even a reasonable amount of arrogant and left this team for spotlight and spending elsewhere or held management hostage ala Fedorov and dragged it to the deadline for a lot of coin. But instead we have him for at least five more seasons after this one and at an easy $6.7mil.

A pretty unfair comparison, as the situations were completely different.

It would be interesting to pull up the threads on Datsyuk's signing - many thought Holland collapsed to Datsyuk holding him hostage by signing in Russia. It was definitely not the easiest signing and luckily Datsyuk continued to improve and the salary cap grew.

Holland pulling an existing offer to Sergei is also extremely unusual.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

Datsyuk is HoT !!!

[TheOwl 77]

I hopped Dats would lead the team in scoring. He's the real superstar on this team, he makes everyone play better. And I hope it's a realization to Hossa and Zetterberg that Datsyuk is a big reason why these two have been succeeding. I think 6.7 million should be the cap for either of these guys to re-sign. Hossa would be an idiot to not re-sign with Detroit while getting to play with these guys. Even if Detroit doesn't win the cup this year, what team will be in a position to contend for the next 5 years?

[RWK23 0]

Unfortunately, it isn't that simple. I'm sure if it was possible, Hossa would love to play the remainder of his career here, but he's going to command a salary that will exceed what we can afford to pay him and keep guys like Zetterberg, Franzen, Hudler, etc. And he's earned that. It's going to be tough to see him go, but that's just the way it's going to be.

[Yzermania 156]

I hopped Dats would lead the team in scoring. He's the real superstar on this team, he makes everyone play better. And I hope it's a realization to Hossa and Zetterberg that Datsyuk is a big reason why these two have been succeeding. I think 6.7 million should be the cap for either of these guys to re-sign. Hossa would be an idiot to not re-sign with Detroit while getting to play with these guys. Even if Detroit doesn't win the cup this year, what team will be in a position to contend for the next 5 years?

ain't that the truth?

[Kira 451]

Once again, he flies under everyone's radar most nights, but he's quietly risen through the group and is leading the team in scoring - again. This guy is such a joy to watch - and to see him live is just something that can't be explained or described. Seeing live is definitely believing.

[b.shanafan14 733]

Pavel is waking up, and with the rising of Datsyuk comes the stirring of a giant. Pasha is now on a 92 pt pace and I will guarantee he has a better second half in him. Things are looking rough for the competition...

[DatsMyWings13 4]

Datsyuk is on fire right now!! He never stops amazing me and that is why he's my favorite player! I think he'll lead the team in scoring once again this year.