I have never felt that way, in all honesty I think Zetterberg is one of the easiest stars to play with in the league, he is up there in terms of that over the now close to 30 years I have been watching hockey. He clicks with everyone, it is because he is fairly predictable.
Datsyuk is one of the harder ones and it just because of how he plays the game. It isn't a surprise that basically Hull and Zetterberg are the only ones that have ever linked with him on a huge level. They are HHOF level players, Holmstrom is the best of the pedestrian players, but then again it really only worked spectacularly well when Zetterberg was there also.
Z's ability to click with players of all different playing styles is one of the biggest keys to his game. Datsyuk and Jurco seem interesting to me, I would keep Nyquist - Zetterberg and Franzen together if they are not reuniting Datsyuk and Zetterberg to help ease their minutes as they age. In which case Datsyuk gets his ultimate linemate back in Zetterberg, I think he elevates Datsyuk's game quite a bit. Datsyuk obviously being the best possible linemate helps Z a ton, but I have always thought since they separated that became quite clear, Z is easier to play with and has more chemistry throughout the lineup.
I think many might want play with Dats, it is amazing watching the things he does, but Z actually more consistently clicks. We will see, I want them together anyway and I am hoping the kids can deliver in terms of allowing that. Also Mantha might be the best kid in terms of playing with them, good at shrinking to dead areas but also big enough to man up in front if that is where the zone time has taken to them. If I could pick a player to play with them currently in the NHL it would be one of the two guys on the Habs in Vanek or Patches, Kreider is already sneaking up on third.
I'm different than you big time. I want them split up as I don't trust secondary scoring. If the secondary shows some consistent play then I am actually fine with them together. I don't see it yet though. I also felt during a big stretch Dats was easier to play well. During one year he killed it with his linemates, and then injuries occured. Val jumped up, played some unreal hockey. Best of his career to that part. Then Cleary did the same. Then Eaves. Might have been the year before Cleary's prime season. Dats played well with Holmstrom (better than Z with Homer). He played extremely well with Hossa.
I always felt Z's style was difficult to play with. He's a puck possession player who really doesn't pass much until he completely trusts you. He tends to hold onto it for too much. Z's a powerforward IMO. Weird, I know. He doesn't play the middle of the ice offensively. He goes to the corners.
But for some reason, everyone with Z this season clicked. It was unreal. Abby played his best hockey of the season with him. Mule played at a high level with consistent play. Nyquist was consistent, and this started his streak.
I've been saying two things.
1.
Zetterberg-Weiss-Franzen
- Z's still the man but you have Weiss again in the middle as the third option.
2. Franzen-Zetterberg-Abdelkader
- More so based on chemistry, though this line never happened. Also allows Babs to try Gus with Dats again.
Jurco to me just screams total package. Defensive game wasn't a liability (not great). He is big, uses his body well, and is a damn good skater (above average). He shoots (doesn't have the scoring touch at this level yet), he goes to the net, solid passer, and has nifty hands. His net precense is wonderful as he can screen/deflect well.
Dats gets his size, a player that's big, and not afraid to shoot. Stylewise, it should work. With Dats' knee issues, a skater like Gus on his opposite wing should be good. He's not afraid to shoot either.
I haven't watched enough of Mantha honestly, so I'm not going to spew ********. I love Tats as the third line guy based on his style not being able to mesh with Z+D. He is a puck dominant player that gets good match-ups. Tats is a top six player IMO, but top six players don't need to play in the top six. See Loui Erksson in Boston.