Babcock comments on Datsyuk's drop in production

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

After watching Dats against the Hawks and the Caps it is clear that he is reinvigorated. He is seeing more and more scoring opportunities and he is setting up guys beautifully. The return of Franzen will do Datsyuk much good, as well as the team.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Pavel Datsyuk is on pace for a steep decline in production, but Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock is not too concerned about last year's Hart Trophy finalist.

Babcock attributes Datsyuk's lack of offense to injuries that have eroded the club's skill level, forcing the team to play without the puck more than it is accustomed.

He said he sees a domino effect taking place as players filter back into the lineup. More skill will lead to more puck possession, resulting in more offense and better numbers for Datsyuk.

"He hasn't had the surrounding group with him as much this year, so that makes it harder for him," Babcock said after Wednesday's practice at Xcel Energy Center. "Let's not get too carried away. Things have an amazing way of working out over 82 games."

At his current rate (11 goals and 36 points), Datsyuk would finish with 18 goals and 63 points, which would be his lowest output since 2002-03, his second season. He has accumulated 97 points in each of the past two seasons, both times finishing in the top five in the NHL scoring race.

"People have talked about the (decline in) scoring from Nick (Lidstrom) and Rafi (Brian Rafalski) this year, and then Pavel for that matter," Babcock said. "It's amazing when all you do is check, check, check. The reason they are like that is because they don't have the puck near as much as (they) used to. Suddenly, now we got the puck all the time. Guys will start scoring."

The Red Wings' puck possession has increased sharply as of late. That was evident in Tuesday's 3-2 loss at Washington, when they outshot the Capitals 46-23.

"At the beginning of the season, we lost so many guys we (focused) more on defense. Now, the defense is playing better, so we go back to (focusing on) offense," Datsyuk said. "We get more players back, we play together, now we come back to our style. But we need more scoring."

Henrik Zetterberg, who has only one more goal and one more point than Datsyuk, acknowledged his own need to produce more.

"It's not just Pav, it's the same for me," Zetterberg said. "But there's no excuses. It doesn't matter if we have players injured or not, we should be able to create chances and score some goals. We just got to be more assertive when we get the chances."

Getting reunited on a line with Zetterberg has yet to spark Datsyuk, who has only one goal and two assists in seven games since his fellow star forward returned from a shoulder injury.

"It's not frustrating," Datsyuk said. "You always want to score more, but the first priority is to help team."

He still is helping in other areas. The reigning two-time Selke Trophy winner as the NHL's top defensive forward continues to play strong without the puck and leads the league with 71 takeaways. He has been Detroit's best faceoff man, winning nearly 57 percent of his draws. He has a decent plus-minus rating (plus-11) for a team that has been outscored 87-80 at even strength.

Despite Datsyuk's scoring decline and his team's three-game winless streak (0-1-2), Babcock was brimming with confidence after an upbeat practice that ended with a spirited shootout competition.

"I really like the way we played the last little bit (with the exception of the 6-0 loss at the New York Islanders on Jan. 12)," Babcock said. "You play like that over a period of time, good things happen.

"So this is as positive as I've been about our team all year long."

MLive

Edited January 21, 2010 by Howard He Do It?!

[dat's sick 1,002]

Injuries are definitely a big reason to Pav's steep drop in production. If we had Franzen on his wing all year he'd probably have atleast another 10 assists. But you can't get around the fact that he just hasn't been quite himself offensively. Look at the Chicago game, in the OT when he stepped around a defenseman and took the puck to the net and almost scored. That's the kind of thing he has done very rarely this year, but did time and time again last season. Something about his confidence has been off.

I'm with Babcock when it comes to the way the team is playing though. Despite these losses I haven't felt this good about the team all year. We outplayed both Chicago and Washington. If we keep that sort of play up there's no way we're missing the playoffs.

[zettie85 106]

It's good that there is reassurance. I hope he is right. We need it.

On a side note: "Howard He Do That!" when the hell do you find the time to sleep? Not that it is any of my business but you had like 90+ posts yesterday!lol

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

It's good that there is reassurance. I hope he is right. We need it.

On a side note: "Howard He Do That!" when the hell do you find the time to sleep? Not that it is any of my business but you had like 90+ posts yesterday!lol

I am terrible when it comes to sleep. I will fall asleep for a few hours then wake up and be awake for hours until falling back to sleep. Plus yesterday was an off day for me so I spent a lot of time on the site.

[FinWing 26]

More from Babs on NHL.com:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=514274

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

His lack of production started last year in the playoffs, even when he had talent around him, whether it be Hossa or Zetteberg playing on the same line as him.

I think there's more to it than just injuries. For most of the year he just hasn't played with the same passion and energy as he has in the past.

Obviously, I didn't expect Babcock to say that Datsyuk is lazy and he sucks, but I'm just saying.

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

His lack of production started last year in the playoffs, even when he had talent around him, whether it be Hossa or Zetteberg playing on the same line as him.

I think there's more to it than just injuries. For most of the year he just hasn't played with the same passion and energy as he has in the past.

Obviously, I didn't expect Babcock to say that Datsyuk is lazy and he sucks, but I'm just saying.

Agreed. Datsyuk has looked a step slower and seems to be, for lack of a better word, lazy.

[eva unit zero 271]

Babcock: "When Osgood makes a mistake, it's his fault and the only way he'll learn is if he rides the pine for a month."

Babcock: "When Howard makes a mistake, it's because he's a rookie and he needs to get right back in there and play some more and learn."

Babcock: "When Datsyuk isn't producing, it's because he doesn't have extremely talented players with him."

I call BS on Babs.

[ben_usmc 253]

Babcock: "When Osgood makes a mistake, it's his fault and the only way he'll learn is if he rides the pine for a month."

Babcock: "When Howard makes a mistake, it's because he's a rookie and he needs to get right back in there and play some more and learn."

Babcock: "When Datsyuk isn't producing, it's because he doesn't have extremely talented players with him."

I call BS on Babs.

get off Ozzys dick damn, this thread has nothing to do with him so don't make it a debate about that.

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

Babcock: "When Osgood makes a mistake, it's his fault and the only way he'll learn is if he rides the pine for a month."

Babcock: "When Howard makes a mistake, it's because he's a rookie and he needs to get right back in there and play some more and learn."

Babcock: "When Datsyuk isn't producing, it's because he doesn't have extremely talented players with him."

I call BS on Babs.

You Ozzie slappies are unbelievable. Any and every thread to defend your God.

get off Ozzys dick damn, this thread has nothing to do with him so don't make it a debate about that.

If only they would listen.

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

You Ozzie slappies are unbelievable. Any and every thread to defend your God.

If only they would listen.

I know. Way to hijack threads. Moosefarts. As if anyone cares what you think. As if anyone cares what anyone else thinks. Geez.

On topic....This game is exactly what the NHL was thinking of when they instituted the shootout. 8 guys on a side taking a shot. wow. Pavel starting it all off...........

Dats is also laying on some very impressive hits lately. Even if his goal scoring is not as high as we'd like, it's not like he's a Lange pylon or anything.