Datsyuk vs. Zetterberg

[kipwinger 8,756]

Simple: All things considered, who's the better player. Knee jerk is obviously Datsyuk because of his skill level, but I've been thinking about it and conclude that Zetterberg is the better player. Skill alone doesn't make one better. Their points per game are nearly the same, very slight edge to Datsyuk. Both are extremely good defensively. Datsyuk has the hardware and the takeaways but in my opinion Zetterberg gets the tougher defensive matchups as evidenced by his shutting down Crosby in the finals in 08 and 09, and doing the same to Toews last season. Datsyuk is the better passer while Z is the better goal scorer, though neither are too shabby in either department. Both makes their linemates better. Z is (in my opinion) more versatile, able to play both center and the wing with equal aplomb. Dats hasn't ever shown much from the wing. Finally, intangibles. Zetterberg ALWAYS rises to the occasion, scoring key goals when it matters and is a playoff beast. Dats is by no means bad in the playoffs, but Z is a monster. Also, Z seems to have the ability to carry the team on his back for extended periods and generally relishes the role. Finally, Z's got the leadership capacity in spades. Dats leads by example, Z in every way possible.

So, your thoughts?

[Dabura 12,232]

Pavel Datsyuk is the better player, but Henrik Zetterberg is our MVP.

IMHO.

[kipwinger 8,756]

Pavel Datsyuk is the better player, but Henrik Zetterberg is our MVP.

IMHO.

Haha. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.'" - Revelations 3:15-16

[ben_usmc 253]

It's basically a modern day Stevie Y vs Feds. Datsyuk has more ability than Z in my opinion. But Z just has an insane amount of will power and another gear.

[MabusIncarnate 5,359]

We generally seem to hold up a lot better with Z in the lineup and Pav out opposed to the opposite way around. When you are speaking in the sense of which one is overall more important to the team, and when separated who tends to show up more in big moments and helps this team win more games i'd have to go with Captain Zetterberg. He is Captain for a reason, because he brings so much more to the table than a strong skill set and likely more than we'll ever see or know about.

While I feel that Datsyuk has a better skill set and is a more complete player, If it came down to keeping one or the other, I see this squad playing more successful hockey with Z over D.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

5 years ago I said Zetterberg hands down, but since then I think Datsyuk has really added another dimension to his game. Datsyuk has become more physical and determined and has developed into one of the leagues premier take away leaders. I will now give Datsyuk the slight edge.

[hooon 1,089]

I say Datsyuk by a tiny margin, but there is no one I'd rather have leading this team than Z.

[T.Low 1,011]

For me, it's a moot point We are fortunate enough to have them both, I'm totally and forever stoked for that, and have too many other issues with the current Wings situation to spend my limited amount of ram on this one.

You guys have fun with this thread. I'm out.

Edit: Bring it up again in the hockey dog days of summer ( like it has been in so many summers past) and I'll be in.

Edited January 2, 2014 by T.Low

[VM1138 1,921]

They are so equal in terms of skill. Datsyuk is obviously flashier and more skilled at puck handling, but in the other areas of the game they're equal, with Zetterberg being the heart of the team and can (literally) carry players on his back. The dude is a beast. I couldn't imagine this team without either one.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

We are incredibly blessed to have both play here. They complement each other very well and I wish the Red Wings could find a way to keep them on the same line consistently because they have such great chemistry together.

Like others have stated, I would say Pav is the more talented of the two. Flashier, highlight-reel moves and maybe the most creative player in hockey. As Mickey says, he's the worth the price of admission alone.

If I have to pick one though, I would choose Z. He's the heart and soul of this team. The Red Wings are judged on playoff success and Z has always stepped up his game when it matters since the lockout in the post-season. His work ethic and ridiculous drive really make him elite because he certainly isn't the biggest, nor fastest player on the ice. Z often has put the Red Wings on his back since assuming the captaincy. It has been a flawless transition coming off two legendary captains.

It's going to be a very sad day when the Euro-Twins are no longer part of the organization. It's a treat to watch them.

[stillwater 186]

There are those in the know who mention Pavel Datsyuk among the best players, ever ... so, him.

[kipwinger 8,756]

There are those in the know who mention Pavel Datsyuk among the best players, ever ... so, him.

Like who?

[stillwater 186]

Google it.

I don't want to have to be the first person in LGW history to have to back up a post with facts.

[stillwater 186]

But seriously ... Brad May has referred to him as the best player ever, Todd Bertuzzi has implied the same. Kovalchuk. The list goes on. How many do you want?

Many observers believe he's among the best

[kipwinger 8,756]

But seriously ... Brad May has referred to him as the best player ever, Todd Bertuzzi has implied the same. Kovalchuk. The list goes on. How many do you want?

Many observers believe he's among the best

Look I'm not trying to disagree with you or anything, I've heard people say he's the most skilled guy they've ever played with but I've never heard anyone ever say that he's one of the best players of all time.

That doesn't mean it hasn't been said, just that I've never heard it. Which is why I was asking.

[stillwater 186]

There are many who believe he's the best player in the world right now. That can't be new or be a surprise to you.

If he's the best now, he'd have to be one of the best ever. That's not really a leap.

[wings87 1,290]

Both hard workers and great team guys but Dats is the more skilled of the two. Z on the other hand does more with less, he's not a big guy but is more of a power forward then many larger players. Fundamentally he's more solid than Pav but is less likely to create a highlight reel play. Defensively they are even except that Datsyuk's defensive play has a tendency to be visually stunning while Z's defensive play relies more on sheer will and doggedness. Even though I think Pav is the better player I believe that Z doesn't get the attention he deserves.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Overall I'd say Datsyuk, although I think both players have unique strengths that they bring to the table.

[brett 1,029]

Z is so underrated. you rarely here him when you hear people talk about top players in the league. but hes always up in the top 10 or 20 in scoring.

i wonder how they would have ended up if they never played with each other.

[sjr2012 439]

Zetty is my favorite and maybe its not fair for me saying he is the best but he IS zetty works better under pressure and I believe coming into a two way playertype he excels just slightly over pavs I think pavs is the best SCORER on the team I mean the way he moves is out of this world and he just 9 out of 10 puts it in the net but Z is the better leader all and all im glad we have them both

[nawein 324]

This is a weird situation. I do think Pav is the more skilled player but Z can carry a team as you guys already said. The awesome thing to me is Pav is more skilled but Z seems to be able to literally make his team win games late in the season and playoffs. He wins games by himself. So who's better? Z. Who's flashier and more naturally skilled? Pav. The best part is we got em both.

[kipwinger 8,756]

For the better portion of several years I've felt Dats has outshined Hank...Adding the # of games missed to injury - Dats value escalates even more since he rarely misses games.

To top it off...Dats has 3 Selke awards in his defense...Get it? yuk yuk yuk.

The defense point is valid, Dats definitely has more hardware. But the injury point isn't. Zetterberg came into the league a year after Dats (who played 70 games his rookie year). Excluding that year, Dats has played one fewer game than Zetterberg since 2002-2003. So it's basically a wash.

[Dominator2005 558]

Datsyuk

[dropkickshanahans 463]

I'm not smart enough to evaluate and determine who's the better player but I will say that I feel Z has carried the load a little more throughout their careers than Pav has (off the top of my head I can only think of one playoff series against the Sharks that Pav stood out more). I also feel that despite the hardware Pav has, the opposing team seems to get more pissed off going up against Z.

Perhaps Pav stands out more to most fans and TV personalities because of his flashiness and his elite takeaway ability, but you can't ignore the fact that Babcock most of the time seems to go to Z's line (when they're split up) to shut down the other teams top line, and also can't ignore that people like Gretzky and Crosby have claimed that they would pick Z #1 to build a hockey team around.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Datsyuk has been better for many years, but this season, Zetterberg has been better and more important. Just seems that way. Maybe it's because Datsyuk has been stuck with Bertuzzi, Abby or Cleary for more games. Or maybe not.