Pavel Datsyuk and Hits

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Datsyuk currently has 36 hits in 40 games. Last season, through 82 games, he was credited with 40 hits. Not only is he bound to blow that out of the water, here are some of the guys in the league who he currently has as many or more hits than:

Pavel Datsyuk - 36 hits, 40 games

Jarome Iginla - 36 hits, 41 games

Jeff Carter - 35 hits, 41 games

Sheldon Souray - 35 hits, 39 games

Rob Niedermayer - 34 hits, 41 games

Dave Bolland - 33 hits, 38 games

Marian Hossa - 33 hits, 40 games

Ryan Kesler - 33 hits, 43 games

Shane O'Brien - 33 hits, 43 games

Patrick Sharp - 31 hits, 38 games

Patrick Berglund - 30 hits, 35 games

Evgeni Malkin - 29 hits, 42 games

Now, I know you can make the argument that Datsyuk plays a lot more than some of these guys do, but you could turn that argument around and say that Datsyuk's job is to be the puck carrier, and typically when you're in possession of the puck, youre the target of hits, not the initiator. Its also interesting to note that, of the 40 games that the Wings have played so far this year, 17 have been at home and 23 are on the round, so you cant make the argument that his hits through the first half are inflated by having played more home games, where hits are recorded more liberally.

Now, I'm not saying that Datsyuk is a power forward by any stretch of the imagination, but whereas one of Datsyuk's downfalls earlier in his career was that he was prone to shying away from physical contact, thats no longer the case. Its also a tribute to how complete a player Datsyuk is.

And while we're on the topic of hits, just wanted to point out that through 40 games, Stuart has 103 hits, which puts him on pace for over 200 hits in one season. That hasn't been done by a Red Wing at least since the 02-03 season, and possibly longer than that, but the statistics on hitting aren't around for seasons earlier than 02-03.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Ever since the playoffs last year I've been impressed by how much Datsyuk's physical play has improved.

His hits are rarely the hardest, but I love seeing when he delivers them, I can imagine the recipient going "did I just get hit by DATSYUK?" haha

I also think it's fun too see Patrik Berglund on that list, it's rare to see Swedes, and especially rookie-swedes, hit that much.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Ever since the playoffs last year I've been impressed by how much Datsyuk's physical play has improved.

His hits are rarely the hardest, but I love seeing when he delivers them, I can imagine the recipient going "did I just get hit by DATSYUK?" haha

I also think it's fun too see Patrik Berglund on that list, it's rare to see Swedes, and especially rookie-swedes, hit that much.

The name that intrigued me most was Jarome Iginla, the quintessential power forward whos physicality is almost always the #1 reason hes ranked ahead of guys like Hank and Datsyuk.

[j.hoop 64]

Ever since the playoffs last year I've been impressed by how much Datsyuk's physical play has improved.

His hits are rarely the hardest, but I love seeing when he delivers them, I can imagine the recipient going "did I just get hit by DATSYUK?" haha

I also think it's fun too see Patrik Berglund on that list, it's rare to see Swedes, and especially rookie-swedes, hit that much.

thats the beauty of it, his hits are rarely the hardest, but usually the most effective. we have drake to thank for that.

[Vincanni 1]

He's taking off from where he left off in the playoffs last year leading our team in hits. I hope he finds yet another gear this postseason. Just goes to show how truly versatile a player Datsyuk is, dare I say the league's best even?

[pockets 9]

datsyuks on a mission this year or something hes hitting anyone and everyone i think the Versteeg hit was the best

Someone on the Wings bench was like man Stuart sure can hit and then someone else probably said Stuart? that was Pavel

[Guest nutz2u]

Interesting that Zetterberg has only 26hits in 39 games. Would like to know how many fans on here still consider Zetterberg the better overall player than Datsyuk. There used to be a lot of discussion on this subject, not so much anymore, so just curious?

[thedisappearer 291]

Next season, after Z gets his deserved raise, Dats will be the biggest bargain in the league.

Edit to add- who's not on his initial contract.

Edited January 11, 2009 by thedisappearer

[dicksmack 33]

Datsyuk currently has 36 hits in 40 games. Last season, through 82 games, he was credited with 40 hits. Not only is he bound to blow that out of the water, here are some of the guys in the league who he currently has as many or more hits than:

Pavel Datsyuk - 36 hits, 40 games

Jarome Iginla - 36 hits, 41 games

Jeff Carter - 35 hits, 41 games

Sheldon Souray - 35 hits, 39 games

Rob Niedermayer - 34 hits, 41 games

Dave Bolland - 33 hits, 38 games

Marian Hossa - 33 hits, 40 games

Ryan Kesler - 33 hits, 43 games

Shane O'Brien - 33 hits, 43 games

Patrick Sharp - 31 hits, 38 games

Patrick Berglund - 30 hits, 35 games

Evgeni Malkin - 29 hits, 42 games

Now, I know you can make the argument that Datsyuk plays a lot more than some of these guys do, but you could turn that argument around and say that Datsyuk's job is to be the puck carrier, and typically when you're in possession of the puck, youre the target of hits, not the initiator. Its also interesting to note that, of the 40 games that the Wings have played so far this year, 17 have been at home and 23 are on the round, so you cant make the argument that his hits through the first half are inflated by having played more home games, where hits are recorded more liberally.

Now, I'm not saying that Datsyuk is a power forward by any stretch of the imagination, but whereas one of Datsyuk's downfalls earlier in his career was that he was prone to shying away from physical contact, thats no longer the case. Its also a tribute to how complete a player Datsyuk is.

And while we're on the topic of hits, just wanted to point out that through 40 games, Stuart has 103 hits, which puts him on pace for over 200 hits in one season. That hasn't been done by a Red Wing at least since the 02-03 season, and possibly longer than that, but the statistics on hitting aren't around for seasons earlier than 02-03.

I don't think Pavel ever really shied away from physical contact. He didn't initiate hits very often and wasn't very good at it.

He always went into the corners and to the net. The odd time you'd see him smoke a guy who was trying to line him up.

[Statts 4]

Anyone remember when Chara smoked Dats earlier this year, so later Dats checks Chara only to fall again himself, then tries a second time and knocked Chara on his gargantuic ass?!?!?!?

That was awesome.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I don't think Pavel ever really shied away from physical contact. He didn't initiate hits very often and wasn't very good at it.

He always went into the corners and to the net. The odd time you'd see him smoke a guy who was trying to line him up.

Nope. That was like 2-3 years ago. I'm talking about when earlier in his career. He got flack from lots of people from being soft.

[Booster313 138]

I think he is trying his damnedest to not win another Lady Byng!

And as far as rarely the hardest...tell that to the chicago player who got smoked in the face-off circle at the end of the December game!

[RedWingedKitten 9]

Does this count as a hit?

Pavs is the man!

[Namingway 146]

Posted a thread similar to this about a month ago

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry1495753

Still good to know that people share the same views as me and have as much love for the way Pasha has been playing as well!

[cnot19 191]

Hes become such a complete player its amazing. He has matured and improved on every element of his game. He is my favorite player in the league and impresses me more every season.

[dicksmack 33]

Nope. That was like 2-3 years ago. I'm talking about when earlier in his career. He got flack from lots of people from being soft.

It wasn't deserved.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

This means that Datsyuk has developed a very impressive all around game and isn't know for just flash and dash. He plays impressive defense and backchecking, and has the ability to play physical now on a consistent basis when needed. That might not have been able to be said or been apparent a few seasons ago.

[b.shanafan14 733]

Pavel is so sturdy on his skates and much in the same way he dekes out defensemen or steals the puck, he knows how to catch the opposition vulnerable. He doesn't lay crushing Kronwallian open icer or Stuarts board rattlers, but almost more often than either he puts the opposition on their ass and a lot of the time takes the puck with him the other way.

[redwing_sparty 0]

he has def stepped up his game this season. he puts timely hits on players, is amazing at takeaways, and dekes the heck out of everyone, plus he is racking up assists AND goals this season. i don;t know that you could ask for a more complete player right now. he puts the league's poster boy to shame.

Edited January 11, 2009 by redwing_sparty

[Icteria virens 11]

he's always been better than zetterberg, I remember so many people early in his career saying how he didn't backcheck? WTF? He always backchecked ----coming form the russian school of the center being responsible for that aspect in stark contrast to the left wing lock played by Detroit during the Bowman era. If anybody remembers that why Larionov's line wouldn't play the LWL, the only scoring line in that era that wouldn't.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

he's always been better than zetterberg, I remember so many people early in his career saying how he didn't backcheck? WTF? He always backchecked ----coming form the russian school of the center being responsible for that aspect in stark contrast to the left wing lock played by Detroit during the Bowman era. If anybody remembers that why Larionov's line wouldn't play the LWL, the only scoring line in that era that wouldn't.

To play devil's advocate, I wouldn't go that far in saying that he ALWAYS has been better than Zetterberg. How about last postseason for example? How come Zetterberg won the Conn Smythe over Datsyuk then?

With that being said, I am glad to have both of them on the Wings and hopefully for a long while.

[Kira 451]

The thing about Pasha's hits is that he's clever and sneaky about them. You never know when it's going to happen or to whom or how hard he's gonna smack you. And then he steals the puck away just to add insult to injury.

Even my husband, who isn't that big a hockey fan, is impressed by Pasha. He said the other night, "Watching him, you just never know what he's thinking...he thinks ahead, like a good chess player."

[Holmstrom96 347]

I'm impressed with Datsyuk. He's simply one of the most well-rounded players in the league. I agree with others, his hits aren't the hardest, but many times those hard hits are dealt out at the expense of defensive position.

[Icteria virens 11]

To play devil's advocate, I wouldn't go that far in saying that he ALWAYS has been better than Zetterberg. How about last postseason for example? How come Zetterberg won the Conn Smythe over Datsyuk then?

With that being said, I am glad to have both of them on the Wings and hopefully for a long while.

so basically , according to you, b/c Zetterberg won the CS last year that Pasha has just this year been the better player? He wasn't before? He was the more valuable player in the PO's , his offensive numbers were almost as good and his backchecking and leading the team in hits in the PO's where physical play is up'ed 100 times was far more impressive. Check out his takeaway numbers, best in the NHL. Why was Rob Blake voted the Norris over Lidstom?

[stactum 4]

Somebody mentioned he doesn't always have strongest hits, then you may want to look at that!

We all should remember that one: