Datsyuk, Crosby. On a level of their own.

[Konnan511 1,736]

This was a great read. Some really awesome quotes by the coach and a few Swedes. It's great to see NHL.com at one point in th article, saying when comparing the two players, it's a wash at who is better. We all Datsyuk is the best all-around player in the world and Crosby is a disgustingly great generational talent, but it's awesome to see Datsyuk getting quite the recognizing around the league.

Nhl.com

"He's one of the most skilled players in the League, but his work ethic is second to none," Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom told NHL.com. "Look at the takeaways he gets -- a lot of them are from backchecking, coming back, stripping guys of the puck. That's just hard work. With all the talent he's got he's working hard and it's paying off for him, too."

It's paying off this season in bigger numbers, but Babcock is quick to point out that Datsyuk's 70 points last season were just as valuable to the Red Wings as his 36 points have been so far this season and his 97 points were in 2008-09.

When he puts them into context, Babcock can surmise that Datsyuk would have been close to a 100-point player last season if he simply had the support he has this season, thanks mostly to his chemistry with Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom.

"Pavel didn't have the same support last year because we didn't have the players to support anybody," Babcock said. "We chased and chipped it for 60-some games. This year we've been healthy. Our back end is way better because we're healthy. We have way more depth. We score way more. Last year we were way down in scoring compared to our normal."

Edited December 13, 2010 by Konnan511

[titanium2 867]

The Wings themselves can't even talk about Pav without mentioning what's his name. It's like a virus.

EDIT: And yeah I know he's a fricking tear right now and bla bla bla.

Edited December 13, 2010 by titanium2

[Guest scottj]

That's because nowadays if you say "Player X is the greatest two way player in the league" millions of people are going to assume that you meant "Player X is the greatest two way player in the league... [besides for Crosby]"

Tough s*** but that's how it goes...

[HankthaTank 1,100]

The Wings themselves can't even talk about Pav without mentioning what's his name. It's like a virus.

EDIT: And yeah I know he's a fricking tear right now and bla bla bla.

Sadly only causes the obsession to increase when he is doing well. It will be the usual, "But he is the only one scoring for them!" or "He smells like s***!"

Unfortunately we give the Blackhawks "fans" all that crap about stalking us....what exactly are we doing to what's his name?

PS: Won't matter, when we play them Hank will just absolutely own him like usual

[Echolalia 2,961]

More Dats Crosby comparisons:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/elliottefriedman/2010/12/datsyuk-the-great-plus-30-thoughts.html?ref=rss

[HankthaTank 1,100]

How dare him...that's Brooks Orpik's #!!!!

[Guest scottj]

More Dats Crosby comparisons:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/elliottefriedman/2010/12/datsyuk-the-great-plus-30-thoughts.html?ref=rss

lol I wish defensive value was able to be calculated so we could actually see the difference between Crosby and Datsyuk... Crosby does have more offense but it seems like Datsyuk could make up for it with defense

I love how Zata and Pavs are so good defensively and you don't have to worry about what they're going to do, instead you can watch and take notes

[Konnan511 1,736]

Well that didn't take long. The point of this thread was to show it's nice to see Datsyuk and Crosby being compared, and a very respectable writer, saying it's a wash. That's a huge compliment to both.

[Guest Stolberg]

crosby is better defensively than datsyuk

[nate94gt 134]

More Dats Crosby comparisons:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/elliottefriedman/2010/12/datsyuk-the-great-plus-30-thoughts.html?ref=rss

im curious to see lebrun's piece on lids

[Kira 451]

There is a huge difference between Pasha and that other little douchebag. You'll not see Pasha being a media hog, and he puts team first. During the interview after the game the other night, he said, "We won the game, that's more important." You sure as hell won't hear that other media hog say something like that. While every sports writer in humanity is kissing up to Crosby's little ass, Pasha goes out and quietly does his job, night after night. And we who really know the way it is appreciate him for it.

[Guest mindfly]

There is a huge difference between Pasha and that other little douchebag. You'll not see Pasha being a media hog, and he puts team first. During the interview after the game the other night, he said, "We won the game, that's more important." You sure as hell won't hear that other media hog say something like that. While every sports writer in humanity is kissing up to Crosby's little ass, Pasha goes out and quietly does his job, night after night. And we who really know the way it is appreciate him for it.

The legacy of Yzerman

[sleepwalker 512]

crosby is better defensively than datsyuk

Damn, dude...I told you not to smoke all that crack at once.

Now look what you've done to yourself.

[hockey23 79]

If you gave Datsyuk Crosby's ice time, he would have 46 points this year - only 5 back of Crosby.

Edited December 14, 2010 by hockey23

[dragonballgtz 273]

If you gave Datsyuk Crosby's ice time, he would have 46 points this year - only 5 back of Crosby.

Datsyuk couldn't produce on his own last year like Crosby is doing this year. Maybe Datsyuk could produce more with more ice time but he cannot produce by himself like Crosby can and I think people over look that.

[VM1138 1,921]

The thing nobody is talking about is spreading the wealth on a team. Crosby is putting up numbers because he's the only one who can score for now on his team.

The Wings, as in 2002, are so stacked nobody HAS to carry the team and many player's numbers are probably a bit lower than they should be.

I also wish NHL.com would have gone back a little further than 2 seasons. They sort of make Datsyuk seem like an overnight sensation. He had two 97 point seasons and in the 80s before that. He's a consistent threat, and has been the best all around player in the world for a few years now.

Crosby's ice time necessarily has to be huge. Except for last season, the Wings have been able to balance the centers and such pretty consistently.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I like it when the article writer cleans up Datsyuk's gibberish. I can't even imagine him actually speaking like that.

[dat's sick 1,002]

crosby is better defensively than datsyuk

Hudler has them both beaten.

[Ozzie30 170]

If you gave Datsyuk Crosby's ice time, he would have 46 points this year - only 5 back of Crosby.

I only got 43 points for 8 back, but still, good point.

[puffy 97]

Datstuk gives me boners.

And I'm 89.1% straight!

He's that damn good.

[titanium2 867]

Datstuk gives me boners.

And I'm 89.1% straight!

How do you know your percentage?

At least you're man enough to admit to the gray matter though. Good for you.

[Joey v3.4 45]

Crosby is the better player.

The argument in favor of Datsyuk's defensive skill is old hat. Datsyuk is great defensively, and magical offensively, but he will never have a year like Crosby is having.

Datsyuk is consistently good, but he brings the same thing every year. A lot of take-aways, fancy passes, occasional goals.

Crosby goes home every season and comes back the next year with an upgraded skill set. Datsyuk has remained consistent more or less, but Crosby has only ever increased his talent, year by year.

Datsyuk might be better defensively, but Crosby is no sloth out there.

Realistically:

1) Crosby has enough defensive talent to shut down a lot of forwards.

2) Zetterberg/Datsyuk will not be able to corral Crosby like they did in '08.

I bet if Crosby was on our top line, getting shut out tonight wouldn't have happened. That's how Crosby works. He is a great player with or without a great line. Datsyuk proved last year that he doesn't do so well when he doesn't have top line companions. Crosby could take Hudler and Jason Williams and turn them into a top line.

I don't like the guy any more than the next Detroit fan, but pound for pound Crosby may be the best player in the world right now.

[soultrain 43]

Datsyuk is by far my favorite player in the NHL....the guy is a genius.

[theman19 47]

Crosby is the better player.

The argument in favor of Datsyuk's defensive skill is old hat. Datsyuk is great defensively, and magical offensively, but he will never have a year like Crosby is having.

Datsyuk is consistently good, but he brings the same thing every year. A lot of take-aways, fancy passes, occasional goals.

Crosby goes home every season and comes back the next year with an upgraded skill set. Datsyuk has remained consistent more or less, but Crosby has only ever increased his talent, year by year.

Datsyuk might be better defensively, but Crosby is no sloth out there.

Realistically:

1) Crosby has enough defensive talent to shut down a lot of forwards.

2) Zetterberg/Datsyuk will not be able to corral Crosby like they did in '08.

I bet if Crosby was on our top line, getting shut out tonight wouldn't have happened. That's how Crosby works. He is a great player with or without a great line. Datsyuk proved last year that he doesn't do so well when he doesn't have top line companions. Crosby could take Hudler and Jason Williams and turn them into a top line.

I don't like the guy any more than the next Detroit fan, but pound for pound Crosby may be the best player in the world right now.

They corralled him in 09 too, Malkin and talbot not so much.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

Crosby is the better player.

The argument in favor of Datsyuk's defensive skill is old hat. Datsyuk is great defensively, and magical offensively, but he will never have a year like Crosby is having.

Datsyuk is consistently good, but he brings the same thing every year. A lot of take-aways, fancy passes, occasional goals.

Crosby goes home every season and comes back the next year with an upgraded skill set. Datsyuk has remained consistent more or less, but Crosby has only ever increased his talent, year by year.

Datsyuk might be better defensively, but Crosby is no sloth out there.

Realistically:

1) Crosby has enough defensive talent to shut down a lot of forwards.

2) Zetterberg/Datsyuk will not be able to corral Crosby like they did in '08.

I bet if Crosby was on our top line, getting shut out tonight wouldn't have happened. That's how Crosby works. He is a great player with or without a great line. Datsyuk proved last year that he doesn't do so well when he doesn't have top line companions. Crosby could take Hudler and Jason Williams and turn them into a top line.

I don't like the guy any more than the next Detroit fan, but pound for pound Crosby may be the best player in the world right now.

Z shut him down twice and you can argue Subban/Halak shut him down last year, whos turn is it this year ?