HNIC Rumor: Datsyuk to return to Russia

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Pasha can do whatever he wants, this guy has given the Wings and also the NHL so much joy with his dekes and just mindblowing moves. For me it doesn't matter what this guy decides his legacy has already been written and it's a great one, the guy is still by far the best player on this team.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/red-wings-datsyuk-leave-russia-season/

They started the segment saying:

"how many stories you have?" "8."

"how many are true?" "I'll settle for 2"

Maybe that was just a joke, but I'm guessing they didn't trust the "sources." or it's more speculation. They have said that he's going back for a few years. It would seem very out of Datsyuk's character to leave the Red Wings hanging like that.

The cynical side of me thinks it could even be a planted rumour in an attempt to get the Wings distracted from the playoff push.

I doubt it. Mickey was the first to say it so I doubt it's Toronto media trying to distract the Wings.

[The Datsyukian Deke 127]

A few thoughts..

- I love Mickey, but at this point of the season, he had better kept his mouth shut on this..

- Some reporter picking that up with three games to go...class isn't something everybody has..

- I doubt he would potentially hurt his leagacy, if not for significant reasons

- If it's family reasons, there is no point argueing it

[paulwoodsfan 52]

It's not up to reporters to show "class" or help orgs suppress stories. If one of the top players in the league for the past two decades is thinking of walking away from his contract, that's a story at any time of year.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Like others have mentioned, Datsyuk will finish out his contract. It's been rumored that he's "going home" ever since before he signed his current contract. He'll be back for another season and it wouldn't shock me to see him sign another one after that as well.

[kickazz 5,459]

I don't think he'll leave.

1. He loves the Red Wings more than people think he does.

2. He knows the wrath of the Illitches and how they excommunicate people who walk away from the team.

3. Unless there was some crazy family issue (someone dying or his kids crying for their dad to come home) I don't think he'll leave till the one year left on his contract.

[LeftWinger 4,953]

IF/When they acquire Yakupov, he will stay to teach him...

[The Datsyukian Deke 127]

It's not up to reporters to show "class" or help orgs suppress stories. If one of the top players in the league for the past two decades is thinking of walking away from his contract, that's a story at any time of year.

Oh, of course "class" should be a necessary part of journalism. But yes, people tend to forget that.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

IF/When they acquire Yakupov, he will stay to teach him...

Please God no....

[paulwoodsfan 52]

"Class" has nothing to do with journalism. It's about providing information that citizens need and/or want to know. A superstar athlete walking away from a valid contract to ply his trade somewhere else is newsworthy, period. The Red Wings might have preferred this story stay a secret (assuming there's some validity to it, which we have no way of knowing), but it's not up to Elliotte Friedman or any other journalist to suppress newsworthy information just because someone powerful might want it suppressed.

[Aethernum 276]

"Class" has nothing to do with journalism. It's about providing information that citizens need and/or want to know. A superstar athlete walking away from a valid contract to ply his trade somewhere else is newsworthy, period. The Red Wings might have preferred this story stay a secret (assuming there's some validity to it, which we have no way of knowing), but it's not up to Elliotte Friedman or any other journalist to suppress newsworthy information just because someone powerful might want it suppressed.

I don't think the story has any validity to it, but if it does wouldn't the knowledge that Datsyuk is leaving after this season be an enormous motivation to the rest of the team to send him off with one final playoff run? Just saying, if it is true I don't think it being out there is a bad thing for the team.

[Buppy 1,720]

"Class" has nothing to do with journalism. It's about providing information that citizens need and/or want to know. A superstar athlete walking away from a valid contract to ply his trade somewhere else is newsworthy, period. The Red Wings might have preferred this story stay a secret (assuming there's some validity to it, which we have no way of knowing), but it's not up to Elliotte Friedman or any other journalist to suppress newsworthy information just because someone powerful might want it suppressed.

There's nothing newsworthy about rumor-mongering, "some validity" or not. It's an insult to the institution of journalism to claim there is.

Thankfully, it's generally harmless, and somewhat entertaining.

[The Datsyukian Deke 127]

There's nothing newsworthy about rumor-mongering, "some validity" or not. It's an insult to the institution of journalism to claim there is.

Thankfully, it's generally harmless, and somewhat entertaining.

THIS.

That "some validity, let's report" approach is more yellow press rather than serious journalism. For example, would The Guardian have reported what Snowden approached them with just because of some say-so? No, they reported it because he had valid information to offer. THAT is serious journalism.

Now you could say that sports journalism has lower standards than political papers like Times or Guardian, and that's true. If it was some beatwriter blogging that stuff, I wouldn't even complain. But on national television, I'd like to see some standards, like only reporting what you definitely know. But yeah, maybe that's just me and a few others with that kind of expectations.

[LeftWinger 4,953]

https://twitter.com/Jamie_Edmonds/status/717017728536690688

Pav not denying the rumors...I bet he's done.

[VM1138 1,921]

I see the Red Wings today as what they were back in 2006.

Maybe it's time both Dats, and Hank go their own way, or retire.

Lets be honest...Their production has been steadily declining, and there's no fountain of youth to reverse the wear & tear on their bodies.

If this was their last years with the Wings...Well - best of luck to them both.

The dofference is in 2006 we had players ready to take up the mantle, and still had excellent players. If we said goodbye to them tere goes our entire top level offense, declining numbers or not.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

The dofference is in 2006 we had players ready to take up the mantle, and still had excellent players. If we said goodbye to them tere goes our entire top level offense, declining numbers or not.

I think Tatar and nyquist will surprise a lot of people and step-up big time when they are given the reigns. Motto mention we have mantha aa and larkin looking real good too

[kylee 727]

https://twitter.com/Jamie_Edmonds/status/717017728536690688

Pav not denying the rumors...I bet he's done.

Yeah seeing that quote is concerning...

[canadian wings fan 305]

It's definitely up to Datsyuk. My favourite hockey player of all time I am so grateful for the memories, the stanley cups and all of the hours of highlight reel footage. Thank you Pav

[RedWingsRox 614]

Will really miss him but man, he is injury prone and he's slow down a lot. Doesn't even try to deke in a shootout anymore.

I won't like it but I'll understand if he wants to play KHL with a few good years left. No worries about cap, Holland wasn't going to spend near that anyways.

[kickazz 5,459]

Is this one of those situations where he wants to walk away from the NHL before it walks away from him? (I.e he repeatedly gets injured in this league)

[joesuffP 1,746]

Welp it really sucks that wings will have to pay him 7.5M for the year. I have a feeling he'll go

[VM1138 1,921]

Is this one of those situations where he wants to walk away from the NHL before it walks away from him? (I.e he repeatedly gets injured in this league)

I imagine so. He probably wants to save a bit for the KHL and his home crowds.

Welp it really sucks that wings will have to pay him 7.5M for the year. I have a feeling he'll go

I just can't see this happening. He'd take a chunk of our much needed offense and hamstring us where we couldn't sign a replacement. If this happens and blindsides Holland he'll never recover. Especially after the failure to prepare for Lidstrom and Rafalski leaving. Hopefully, true or not, this rumor makes Holland bolder in finding a long term replacement.

[LeftWinger 4,953]

There's suggestion on the Detroit News by Krupa that says declining skills may be at the heart of Pav's possible decision to retire after this season. Not that I am saying Pav is bad, but it is obvious his age is catching him.

I suggest to Holland that he go hard and spare NO expense on trying to get Stamkos so Pav can move to the 3rd line (along with Z) and take the pressure off of him to be the top player here, and then maybe he'll finish his contract out.

Its on you Holland! Get this done! Spare NO expense!

[NerveDamage 4,176]

There's suggestion on the Detroit News by Krupa that says declining skills may be at the heart of Pav's possible decision to retire after this season. Not that I am saying Pav is bad, but it is obvious his age is catching him.

I suggest to Holland that he go hard and spare NO expense on trying to get Stamkos so Pav can move to the 3rd line (along with Z) and take the pressure off of him to be the top player here, and then maybe he'll finish his contract out.

Its on you Holland! Get this done! Spare NO expense!

maybe if we name the new arena in honour of Stevie Y he might give us a discount.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

I wouldn't blame him for retiring. It's not like this team is going to be winning another Cup any time soon.