Datsyuk out 4-5 weeks with broken bone in hand

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

That's an understatement He'll have two months of hockey to get ready for the playoffs.

I know. That's a really good thing. I don't think it'll take that long but there's plenty of time to spare for the hand to get healed and to get his game back together.

With the crazy s*** Datsyuk can do with the puck, he needs his hands to be healthy.

[Rick Zombos Ghost 82]

Tarter sauce anyone?

[Konnan511 1,736]

[Spongewingredpants 75]

when you watch the replay and see how his wrist is bending, ouch, not good

[Nev 1,085]

I wasn't aware strength was a requirement to be a center specifically as compared to playing the wing.

Not strength, skating ability, which is the #1 requirement for a centre on a Mike Babcock coached team. Foot speed, strength on skates and willingness to back-check hard. These are the things Babcock looks for in his centres, and they are co-incidentally the 3 weakest parts of Hudlers game.

My thoughts on Datsyuk's injury are unsuitable for a family forum such as this.

[brett 1,029]

I wasn't aware strength was a requirement to be a center specifically as compared to playing the wing. You would think I would know about that, having played primarily center for a couple decades now. I can understand the size and strength preference of having someone like Getzlaf or Thornton to a Hudler or Comrie. I get that. But that doesn't make Hudler incapable of playing center. And if you had been paying attention, I specifically put him on the line Datsyuk had been centering because it was between Franzen and Bertuzzi; two big strong wingers. Remember; Gretzky was small, but he had big strong wingers.

I would say strength does come into play more as a center then a wing. As a center you are the most responsible forward on the ice. Which includes winning key defensive battles in front of the net and down low. He hasn't shown that he could win a battle that well this year, to me thats a strength problem he gets pushed around so easily. I'm sure hes completely capable of playing center but I for one would not want hudler to be responsible for covering the front of the net at any time nor trying to help win battles down low. And if you have hudler with franzen and bertuzzi, they're going against top forwards when hudler has little if none NHL experience as center. But what do I know, i was primarily a winger. I would much rather have a big strong center then a weak one. I'm not saying your wrong or anything its just my opinion of a good center.

Edited December 23, 2010 by brett

[Guest mindfly]

Since it doesn't require surgery i'd like to think it's nothing that will keep his awesome hands from making other players' look silly after he's healthy(?)

[titanium2 867]

Hudler and Gretzky should never be in the same sentence.

And here I thought Gretzky was the exception to the rule. I guess we can just compare everybody to Gretzky now huh?

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Time for someome to step up *Hudler* it will be interesting to see how we hold up without him.

[sixer 37]

Get we'll Dats, we'll miss you!!!

[Rivalred 630]

4-5 weeks of healing time in addition to him getting full movement/strength back..

Down 2 centers now... Modo and Dats

Calling on Flip and Franzen to pick up the slack, they have been relatively quiet.

Edited December 23, 2010 by Rivalred

[crotty99 302]

Worst Christmas ever.

[VM1138 1,921]

This has just been a bad, bad, bad, bad month. And it all started so well...

At any rate, I think players will step up and the Wings will still come out of this with a winning record during the stretch.

I do, however, feel bad for Datsyuk. He was finally getting respect and going to get his 100 point season. Alas, that looks to be elusive for him and he seems forever cursed to come right up to it but never pass it.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Thanks Samuelsson. Surprised he didn't wire a slapshot and knock Lidstrom out last night too.

This really sucks. I think the Red Wings will be OK without Datsyuk, but there's no room for any drop-off in the Western Conference right now. Filppula better prove he's got some consistent offensive upside very quickly.

Edited December 23, 2010 by GoWings1905

[redwingfan19 293]

Since it doesn't require surgery i'd like to think it's nothing that will keep his awesome hands from making other players' look silly after he's healthy(?)

Hand injuries cam linger for quite sometime after the fact but it is still possible to play as long as you can get a good grip on the stick, in that case dats should be fine. Only thing that worries me is guys knowing he has a bad hand/wrist and will be going after it.

[Konnan511 1,736]

As long as the bone is healed and he wears wrist guards, he should be fine.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Datsyuk should fight Sammy the next time they play against each other.

I hate that fool.

[LeftWinger 4,962]

Time to trade Hudler and get his waste of cap hit off the books and bring a center that is actually going to help us get through this... What's Fedorov doing? Fedorov will always be better than Hudler.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

s***ty, but at least it's no a really serious injury that would require surgery. Hopefully Hudler and Filpulla can step up in his absense, they were both pretty good last night.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Time to trade Hudler and get his waste of cap hit off the books and bring a center that is actually going to help us get through this... What's Fedorov doing? Fedorov will always be better than Hudler.

I don't think there are any impactful centers available out there in exchange for a player with six points.

Edited December 23, 2010 by GoWings1905

[Guest mindfly]

Confirmed it's a broken hand, not wrist... it appears the wrist is little more serious than the hand.

ST. LOUIS -- Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock had a few more details this morning about Pavel Datsyuk's injury.

He said it's a broken right hand, not the wrist.

"It's his hand and it's four weeks and the bones he broke, evidently, and this is (from) talking to the hand specialist last night, are good healers, so that's a good thing,'' Babcock said following an optional morning skate at Scottrade Center. "I talked to Pav this morning, he's in good spirits.

"He said, 'Sorry, Coach.' I said, 'I don't think you need to be sorry.' Obviously, he's a huge part of our team. Someone's got to step up.''

[Konnan511 1,736]

This is indeed good news. Only Pavel would apologize for being cheapshotted and breaking his hand.

[wingslogo19 281]

Tough break, no pun intended Here to a speedy recovery. Time for Hank to step up

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Time for Hank to step up

Decent start to "stepping it up"....

Edited December 23, 2010 by HankthaTank

[LeftWinger 4,962]

I don't think there are any impactful centers available out there in exchange for a player with six points.

Oops, sorry, yes I agree. I forgot to put down to trade Hudler for that draft pick, and then find a Center to bring in. Thats why I mentioned Fedorov. But I know it'll never happen.