The misconception that Datsyuk and Zetterberg are equal

[betterREDthandead 58]

its true zetterberg is great defensively but so is datsyuk. Datsyuk is clearly the better player IMO, and by a wide margin. Zetterberg has certainly had his moments, but as previously mentioned, they arent very consistent. Thats not a knock on zetterberg, only in comparison to the great datsyuk.

Y'know, it wasn't that long ago that Zetterberg was considered the screamingly obvious choice for next captain of the team, so much so that there was debate as to whether the C should pass over Lidstrom and go straight to Zetterberg. Meanwhile Datsyuk was a highly gifted player that didn't really like to get his nose dirty, was inferior to Zetterberg defensively, and disappeared in the playoffs. Now the tables are turned - that fast?

Datsyuk had by far the better year, yes. And he's developed a physical side to his game as well as a defensive side. But there's no need to dismiss Zetterberg out of hand. Next year he might very well be the one chasing 100 points and be the Selke finalist instead of Datsyuk.

[Dano33 41]

A grand total of 5 of Z's 34 playoff goals are empty-netters. I agree, I am happy both are Red Wings and even happier when they are together on the same line. I just think Z has a better all-around game and comes up huge on both sides of the puck when it matters most.

this playoff year. 3 of 6 are empty netters.

Edited May 11, 2009 by Dano33

[Antilles328 0]

A grand total of 5 of Z's 34 playoff goals are empty-netters. I agree, I am happy both are Red Wings and even happier when they are together on the same line. I just think Z has a better all-around game and comes up huge on both sides of the puck when it matters most.

I was referring to this season's playoffs only.

[zetterbergfan 23]

this playoff year. 3 of 6 are empty netters.

Which means Zetterberg is Babcock's player of choice when he wants to shut down six attackers and put the game in the books. Z is good at getting the puck, battling through and getting the puck in the net.

[gowingsgo 3]

They both are dominant play makers. As long as we are winning Cups, I do not care who is better of the two.

[dat's sick 1,002]

its true zetterberg is great defensively but so is datsyuk. Datsyuk is clearly the better player IMO, and by a wide margin. Zetterberg has certainly had his moments, but as previously mentioned, they arent very consistent. Thats not a knock on zetterberg, only in comparison to the great datsyuk.

i always thought it a little odd that zetterberg got the smythe last year. I think that was more to do with the wings being soo evenly spread out in terms of their talent, it would be tough to choose one player. Basically, zetterbergs play against crosby on the 5 on 3 last year where he tied up his stick is the MAIN reason he got the consmythe. Without that play, it would have gone to someone else.

In any event. Both of these players are gonna need to step and start scoring goals. Datsyuk is certainly due, and id love to see that D-Z connection get going like we all know it can.

This whole post is so wrong, like you didn't watch last years playoffs or even this year's. Z has 11 points in 9 games, 6 goals. Yeah, some empty netters but so what. If anything that shows exactly how excellent he is in those situations towards the end of a game when the other team is pressing to get a goal.

He doesn't "need to step and start scoring" because he is scoring.

And the main reason he got the Smythe last year was because he was our best player during the cup run. He was amazing both defensively and offensively and he led all players in points.

To me it seems like Datsyuk is the better player during the regular season, and Z is better in the playoffs.

[Hossa7.4 0]

I would argue that Zetterberg has never been better than Datsyuk during the respective careers. The only season's in which they were never paired was most of this season and the 05-06 season. Datsyuk played with Shanny and Draper. Zetterberg played with Holmstrom and Samuelsson. That season they both finished with 85+ points.

Back then the argument was that Datsyuk wasn't great defensively, which was completely wrong. He was a faceoff god and two way machine in the 05-06 series against Edmonton but only registered a couple assists so he was considered a choke artist, while Z scored 6 goals in 6 games.

How did Datsyuk go from a 87 point floater to a 97 point Selke winner in two seasons? Was it the fact that his game changed drastically over a season and a half or was it because he was severely underrated by Red Wings fan and virtually unknown except for his dekes outside of Detroit?

OK, I've said this before and I'll say it one more time.

when Datsyuk wasn't producing in the PO's back in 05-06 NOBODY was really producing in the PO's. The wings were getting bounced early and not playing well. NObody besides Shanny the one year was scoring alot. He took alot of abuse for it because he was scheduled for a new contract but then again he's older than Z and has more senority, he's been a Wing longer, that's just the way it worked out.

the phrase "greedy Russian" was used by more than a few people. He was underrated. I thought it was downright laughable that people said he wasn't responsible defensively. I always wondered what games they were watching. He's ALWAYS played that way, heck, it's the Russian tradition of the center being first back to help out on defense.

For those old enough or without short-term memory problems remember when the Wings played the Left-wing lock? Larionov was the only scoring line center who's line didn't play the LWL because he was always more comfortable being first back as that was the Russian system. Bowman allowed this. It's in Pavel DNA and he's ALWAYS been responsible for defense.

also, although nobody really admits to this more people are just comfortable with Swedes, more people have Swedish heritage and there's not a reputation about "greedy". After what fans when thru with Sergei and seeing others they transmitted that to Pavel, unfairly.

[Red4wings4life 0]

How many more seasons will it take before this belief is squashed? The stats and tape show that Datsyuk consistantly can play with anyone on the team and put up 85+ points. Z's biggest career season came while playing with Datsyuk last season.

This is mainly in reaction to Babcock calling Datsyuk the "Best forward in the game".

What else does Datsyuk need to do to actually take claim as the best forward on this team? It seems like every comparison thread has Datsyuk or Zetterberg as equal and its simply not the case. They get the same minutes, Zetterberg has better linemates and hes 20 points behind Datsyuk.

In before eva or others say "Zetterberg is better defensively, the Selke is a sham" and somehow Zetterberg's unrecognized defense somehow puts him on the same level as Datsyuk.

In all honesty, Datsyuk is doing nothing but getting better while Z seems to have hit his career potential without being paired with Datsyuk. A Selke finalist, 75 point player is nothing to put down but its clearly not the same as a 100 point Selke season.

Can we all just admit that Zetterberg's game is lifted by playing with Datsyuk?

Datsyuk is better then Zetterberg? Sure you could say that but Zetterberg is our next captain. He has the leadership ability that Datsyuk does not have.

Datsyuk is better offensivly and Zetterberg is an all around player. Sure Datsyuk plays good defensive but Zet is better.

Next Captain of the Red Wings is Zetterberg

[blikst 1]

No one are "by far" the better player. It's been really close in most season. Dats had the better season this year, and Zetterberg has had a little better playoff so far. I can see a case being made for both players.

[Hossa7.4 0]

Datsyuk is better then Zetterberg? Sure you could say that but Zetterberg is our next captain. He has the leadership ability that Datsyuk does not have.

Datsyuk is better offensivly and Zetterberg is an all around player. Sure Datsyuk plays good defensive but Zet is better.

Next Captain of the Red Wings is Zetterberg

thanks for the laugh, google Selke, Hart, and Lester B. Pearson and come back.

wow, just wow.

[StormJH1 231]

Datsyuk is better then Zetterberg? Sure you could say that but Zetterberg is our next captain. He has the leadership ability that Datsyuk does not have.

Datsyuk is better offensivly and Zetterberg is an all around player. Sure Datsyuk plays good defensive but Zet is better.

Next Captain of the Red Wings is Zetterberg

"Next Captain" and "Best Forward" are two completely different conversations. People said for years that Martin Lapointe would be the next captain of the Red Wings, and he was never even close to the "best player".

[Red4wings4life 0]

thanks for the laugh, google Selke, Hart, and Lester B. Pearson and come back.

wow, just wow.

Who won the MVP of the playoffs last year? Google that and come back.

[Red4wings4life 0]

"Next Captain" and "Best Forward" are two completely different conversations. People said for years that Martin Lapointe would be the next captain of the Red Wings, and he was never even close to the "best player".

I do not think they are different converstaions. Datsyuk is a great player with great skills both defensively and offensively but Zetterberg has that "leadership" skill that Datsyuk does not have. I think that Zetterberg is better defensively then Datsyuk.

Shooting = Datsyuk

Passing = Zetterberg

Control of the puck = Datsyuk

Creativity with the puck = Datsyuk

Defensively = Zetterberg

Power play = equal

PK = equal

Leadership= Zetterberg

Points each year = Datsyuk

[Hossa7.4 0]

Who won the MVP of the playoffs last year? Google that and come back.

leadership has nothing to do with it, and isn't being discussed, there's a language barrier with Datsyuk anyways.

All you Zata fanboys are lucky Mule got a head injury or he'd won it. Lots of intelligent Wings fans could argue Lidstrom last year anyway.

and btw, who's the best all around player? one who's won the Selke, nominated again, nominated for the Hart and Lester B. Pearson or someone who's got none of that and one an award (helped by a teammates head injury) for 2 months of work?

Datsyuk is the best all around player in the league. And that's the point of this thread. Sorry.

Edited May 11, 2009 by Hossa7.4

[Hossa7.4 0]

Leadership= Zetterberg

a bunch of people with internet access know better than the players. Why does everybody assume Pavel isn't a leader. You don't really know a subjective thing like this.

because Pavel doesn't say alot doesn't mean he's not a good leader, you must not have thought Yzerman was a good leader b/c he didn't say alot either.

[Hossa7.4 0]

Zetterberg is an all around player. Sure Datsyuk plays good defensive but Zet is better.

so then why hasn't he won the Selke or been nominated?

[Barrie 900]

Why are we even arguing about this? They are both on our side. One year Datsyuk will look better, the next it'll be Zetterberg. I'm sure it'll go back and forth a few times before they retire.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

No one are "by far" the better player. It's been really close in most season. Dats had the better season this year, and Zetterberg has had a little better playoff so far. I can see a case being made for both players.

I agree for the most part, but Z has badly outproduced Pavel in the playoffs. Blame it on Hossa, blame it on bad breaks, but Pavel isn't getting the job done right now.

[Turretin 0]

I repeat: Put down the thread and step away slowly.

[ComradeWasabi 109]

Passing = Zetterberg

Uh, what?

[Rick 42]

a bunch of people with internet access know better than the players. Why does everybody assume Pavel isn't a leader. You don't really know a subjective thing like this.

because Pavel doesn't say alot doesn't mean he's not a good leader, you must not have thought Yzerman was a good leader b/c he didn't say alot either.

I would have to think Zetterberg is a better leader mainly because he is the son of a coach.

[Namingway 146]

a bunch of people with internet access know better than the players. Why does everybody assume Pavel isn't a leader. You don't really know a subjective thing like this.

because Pavel doesn't say alot doesn't mean he's not a good leader, you must not have thought Yzerman was a good leader b/c he didn't say alot either.

Uh oh, someone throwing in the yzerman card again. He was an exception. Datsyuk doesn't have the same qualities as him besides being silent.

like I said a few months back in this thread, Alfie is also a quiet captain and we saw how that worked out for the Sens last year when they needed him.

[Jake Ryan 1]

I do not think they are different converstaions. Datsyuk is a great player with great skills both defensively and offensively but Zetterberg has that "leadership" skill that Datsyuk does not have. I think that Zetterberg is better defensively then Datsyuk.

Shooting = Datsyuk Agree

Passing = Zetterberg Disagree (Datsyuk)

Control of the puck = Datsyuk Agree

Creativity with the puck = Datsyuk Agree

Defensively = Zetterberg Disagree (Equal [Datsyuk = Selke])

Power play = equal Agree

PK = equal Disagree (Zetterberg)

Leadership= Zetterberg Agree (Conn Smythe!)

Points each year = Datsyuk Agree

Some things you left out though:

Toughness = Datsyuk

Durability = Datsyuk

Most Difficult to Knock Off Skates = Zetterberg

Clutch Factor = Zetterberg

Datsyuk's regular season gear is phenominal, but if he could show that he has another Helm-like gear in the playoffs, he'd leave no doubt in any Red Wings fan's mind that he is the best player on the team. So far, his invisibility on the score sheet in the playoffs has hurt his rep. A lot of fans see through this and see that he is drawing double teams and getting marked every shift by the Ducks' best players. A lot of fans don't. It's a good debate.

[Hossa7.4 0]

I would have to think Zetterberg is a better leader mainly because he is the son of a coach.

are you kidding?

[Hossa7.4 0]

Uh oh, someone throwing in the yzerman card again. He was an exception. DATSYUK CAN'T BE AN EXCEPTION? WHY? Datsyuk doesn't have the same qualities as him besides being silent. WHICH ONES ARE THOSE?

like I said a few months back in this thread, Alfie is also a quiet captain and we saw how that worked out for the Sens last year when they needed him. TEAM GAME. LIDSTROM IS A QUITE CAPTAIN AND THEY WON THE CUP, MAYBE THE WINGS ARE BETTER THAN THE SENS. YA THINK?