Detroit Red Wings

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLC_1YWYWBc[/video]

 

^ the guy all the way on the right is awesome.

 

http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/mourners-bid-farewell-to-mr-hockey-gordie-howe-1.2946459

 

Datsyuk meets with the Red Wings on Friday to discuss future with Detroit.

 

Still waiting word on Datsyuk's future following last nights meeting. (Now hearing decision will come at noon).

 

It's official... Datsyuk is retiring from the NHL.

Gonna miss him.


"My family and I have decided that it's time to return home"

 

[video]https://youtu.be/XoEJYeNvDH8[/video]

 

sad to see him go. for the first few seasons of his NHL career I was waiting for everyone to catch up to him and nullify his skating and hands. never happened, he just got better and better.

 

Dats was a different russian as far as his personality, maybe more will follow in his footsteps. Start the stamkos sweepstakes!

 

I was a huge Datsyuk fan for a number of years before size and injuries turned the trajectory downward, what was different about his personality and not his circumstances compared to most russians around the league?

 

Datsyuk was low key compared to OV and malkin. You'll never see pictures of him drunk in some russian niteclub. Then there's kovalchuk he took off to make more in the khl. He kept to himself and was a team player. How about the early years with bure and federov taking turns on kornikova in public, dats was quiet.

 

I'm at a street festival and talking hockey with someone from chicago, crazy.

 

i think of Datsyuk as a different breed Ruuskie too.
even aside from the off ice differences his 2 way game was fairly atypical too.

 

Its been strange as a Red Wings fan lately, kinda gave me the blues. First Howe passes and then Datsyuk goes home.

My opinion on Datsyuk as a Russian? Most Russians have circular heads... Pasha was definitely different with that triangle thing going on.

Seriously, he was a magician with the puck. He could do some real tricky stuff and his pre-game routine was a thing of beauty to behold.

 

I would never be above sewer level, but I would happily discuss hockey with you below a street festival.

 

hahhaa, well said.

 

I was talking from a more professional perspective.
Kovalchuk hasn't had a favor from any franchise outside of the paycheck. Datsyuk had the benefit of a franchise looking out for him. Both ditched their contractual obligation, but Kovalchuk at least appeared to sign his in good faith. Datsyuk was using overseas as leverage for dollars earlier in his career. Tons of red flags with Dats professionally, it's amazing he always escaped scrutiny. No question about his skill, but he did little to distinguish himself beyond skill compared to the overwhelming majority of players (I can list more examples if needed).

The biggest difference was WHERE they played and when. He was able to avoid scrutiny and had all the benefits of a franchise willing to cater to him beyond the paycheck. How do other foreign players' careers turn out if they had the same benefit.

 

comparing Kovalchuk leaving to Datsyuk leaving feels like a stretch to me. Kovalchuk mamed the Devils organization when they were all in on him where as an old man Datsyuk fucked over the Wings for 1 year. What Datsyuk did certainly isnt commendable though.
As for using the KHL as leverage.....good for him, every player should use all of the leverage that they can come up with. you know the other side is doing the same thing.

Datsyuk's work in the D zone is so rare for a player of his skill set and stature.
Also rare for an elite Russian. Really seemed to always be in position and have body position on the opposition.
He did come in to a nice comfy situation in Detroit but I have a tough time holding that against him.
You're right though, wonder what would've happened had he been drafted and raised in a Calgary or a Philly or where ever.