Datsyuk Going To His Actual Home. In Russia. Finally.

[Winger98]

Yep. And that would be my issue with it if I were in management's shoes too. I think it's really ****ty to go back on your word. And to Slick... I have far less issue with what Fedorov did. Even the offer sheet thing. Fedorov was exercising his rights as a free agent to sign a huge deal. And then he was exercising his rights to go to Anaheim where he could easily get more in the way of commercial exposure.

Datsyuk negotiated a guaranteed deal, signed a guaranteed deal, and then did what he could to get out of the guaranteed deal, regardless of the impact of the deal on the Wings after he played his one year and got the biggest payout from the three year deal.

I don't think it's just going back on his word with the deal. I don't think he ever planned on seeing it through in the first place.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

For me, Neither the Datsyuk or Fedorov contract signing issues negatively affect what either player did while wearing the winged wheel.

A lot seem to have that woman scorned reaction to it. I don’t understand that.

I would love to have Dats back for a year. I haven’t watched many games since he left. Forget your personal hurt feelings. He’d be great to be around our young players for a year.

It's actually not personal for me.

The Wings need to build a new identity and start a new era. Datsyuk is 40 years old and hasn't played in the NHL in 3 years. The last thing this rebuilding team needs is to sign another player for a farewell tour, even if it's Dats. And most of what made Datsyuk great isn't a teachable skill that younger players can learn.

I can understand the sentimental reasons for wanting Datsyuk back but I don't think it's the best way forward.

 

[RedWingzz]

I don't care that he left during his contract, I would be 100% pumped if he came back for a year. Just being able to watch Datsyuk as a Red Wing again would have me more entertained next year than I have been over the last 3 years.

 

[SlickHands]

It's actually not personal for me.

The Wings need to build a new identity and start a new era. Datsyuk is 40 years old and hasn't played in the NHL in 3 years. The last thing this rebuilding team needs is to sign another player for a farewell tour, even if it's Dats. And most of what made Datsyuk great isn't a teachable skill that younger players can learn.

I can understand the sentimental reasons for wanting Datsyuk back but I don't think it's the best way forward.

It is personal for a lot of the posters here who seem to have this deep resentment for guys like Datsyuk and Fed.

For me, it's all about who is here at the end of the season. If Nyquist and Vanek are both gone (as they probably will be) and Kronwall retires, I'd have no issue bringing him in as a veteran presence. Better that than some 34+ mercenary that you're going to swap for a 7th rounder at the deadline.. because you know Holland will sign someone.

The kids won't learn how to puck handle like Datsyuk, but they may at least learn from his work ethic and ego-less professionalism, something AA and Mantha could both benefit from.

I won't lose any sleep if it doesn't happen, but the grudge some Wings fans have for what would have been a meaningless additional season in town is bizarre. Did him leaving hurt the organization in any way? No. We just wound up swapping picks and we wound up with the better player from that deal too (that wound up being the Cholowski pick).

 

[Henkka]

I think Datsyuk originally asking for a 5 year deal, then negotiating a 3 year deal, only to then try to skip town after the first season (and the biggest payout) isn't a complete nonsense thing to Wings management. Datsyuk tried to hose them. Holland&Co. are not going to forget it and it will color everything between the Wings and Datsyuk going forward.

Where does this information come from?

I don't remember anything else than Datsyuk wanting to go year-by-year like Lidström did, and it was Holland who pushed him to that last 3-year deal.

 

[Henkka]

If Pavel returns, he could also be the factor who brings KHL leading scorer Nikita Gusev to Detroit with him.

It would be nice to have all-Russian 3rd line, Svechnikov - Datsyuk - Gusev. Roles would be perfect, as Svechni the physical net-front grinder, Pavel as defensive two-way/playmaking center and Gusev as pure right-handed skill guy.

That would cause a crazy forward logjam, so we could send easily some forward talents out to solve the hole on defence.

Nyquist - Larkin - Mantha
Rasmussen - Veleno - Zadina
Svechnikov - Datsyuk - Gusev
Athanasiou - Nielsen - Bertuzzi
Abdelkader - 2019 1st - Helm
Ehn - Glendening - De la Rose

 

[Winger98]

Where does this information come from?

I don't remember anything else than Datsyuk wanting to go year-by-year like Lidström did, and it was Holland who pushed him to that last 3-year deal.

It's been linked to in the past and I think brought up on Detroit telecasts back when the whole mess was going down.

 

[chances14]

Where does this information come from?

I don't remember anything else than Datsyuk wanting to go year-by-year like Lidström did, and it was Holland who pushed him to that last 3-year deal.

Holland also revealed Datsyuk’s agent for his last contract, Gary Greenstin, originally wanted a much longer extension.
“In 2013, Gary Greenstin wanted a five-year deal,” Holland said. “What do you think would have happened if I’d countered with one year deal? He would have been on another team.

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...l-datsyuk-leaving-detroit-red-wings/86081818/

 

[ShelbyZ]

IMO, the Datsyuk contract thing is kind of a wash. The biggest negative was whatever the FO had to pay Joe Vitale to sit at home LTIRetired. The other part of the trade without Datsyuk and Vitale was a pretty typical draft day trade down that netted the Wings the two best D prospects they've had in a long time.

In a way, the Datsyuk contract thing probably helped the team in the same basackwards way that Fedorov leaving did. With Fedorov, had he signed the reported deals that Holland offered, the Wings likely would've had to gut the team even further going into the salary cap era.

Now imagine the possibilities if Datsyuk plays that final year. With the Red Wings still trying to make the playoffs, Chychrun is probably a non factor at the NHL level (if that's who the Wings indeed draft). If the team makes the playoffs again as a Wild Card and Datsyuk still retires from the NHL, Holland stays in "retool on the fly" to make the playoffs mode. Smith gets an extension and instead of Nielsen in 2016, you'd have Holland panic signing a C from a thin UFA market in 2017 to try to keep the streak alive. That probably means over paying and terming someone like Nick Bonino. Then they inevitably miss the playoffs in 17-18 and the rebuild starts a year later.

 

[Henkka]

Now imagine the possibilities if Datsyuk plays that final year. With the Red Wings still trying to make the playoffs, Chychrun is probably a non factor at the NHL level (if that's who the Wings indeed draft). If the team makes the playoffs again as a Wild Card and Datsyuk still retires from the NHL, Holland stays in "retool on the fly" to make the playoffs mode. Smith gets an extension and instead of Nielsen in 2016, you'd have Holland panic signing a C from a thin UFA market in 2017 to try to keep the streak alive. That probably means over paying and terming someone like Nick Bonino. Then they inevitably miss the playoffs in 17-18 and the rebuild starts a year later.

I think the same trade-down could have happened without those Datsyuk-Vitale contract swaps, but the another pick would have just been lower. So Cholowski could be had at #20, but maybe not Hronek at #53. Or maybe they don't pick Givani Smith #46, and still take Hronek earlier. Who knows, it could have changed draft tactics.

If we would have been at the playoffs at 2016-17 season, it would have mean no Rasmussen at #9.

But somebody like Juuso Välimäki, Timothy Liljegren, Urho Vaakanainen, Josh Norris, Robert Thomas, Filip Chytil, Kailer Yamamoto -group. Guys picked at 16-22.

 

[lilidk]

If Pavel returns, he could also be the factor who brings KHL leading scorer Nikita Gusev to Detroit with him.

It would be nice to have all-Russian 3rd line, Svechnikov - Datsyuk - Gusev. Roles would be perfect, as Svechni the physical net-front grinder, Pavel as defensive two-way/playmaking center and Gusev as pure right-handed skill guy.

That would cause a crazy forward logjam, so we could send easily some forward talents out to solve the hole on defence.

Nyquist - Larkin - Mantha
Rasmussen - Veleno - Zadina
Svechnikov - Datsyuk - Gusev
Athanasiou - Nielsen - Bertuzzi
Abdelkader - 2019 1st - Helm
Ehn - Glendening - De la Rose

it looks good , but what are you going to do with 5 lines ?

 

[Henkka]

it looks good , but what are you going to do with 5 lines ?

A trade for a defenceman.

 

[Lion Man]

Screw him. He jumped out of a signed contract because he couldn't wait to be gone and didn't care about the ramifications because he ostensibly wanted to be close to his daughter. But now that his KHL deal is up, he wants to come back home... and not be by his daughter.

I don't need to see 40 year old Datsyuk in the NHL anymore. Alumni games, okay, but I don't need to see him night in, night out.

Yeah, screw him! What a POS , wants to see his daights and shit!!! How dare he pick family over his career.

 

[Bench]

I don't want to talk about the politics (it's against the rules), but I also find it impossible to ignore how chummy Datsyuk is with his nation's leaders and state of affairs.

I never blamed him for leaving, but after going, he can stay there, thanks.

 

[avssuc]

Pavel Datsyuk leaving Detroit Red Wings: 'I have to go back home'

Remember that agents are negotiating for 'themselves' at the same time. The bigger the contract, the bigger cut they get.

Is it too far fetched to think that Datsyuk wasn't very involved in his finances? Guys far more wealthy have gone broke. For every dude that loses it all, there are hundreds of dudes ('fluent' in English) that don't have a clue what the contract says, or how the a CBA might have changed things since they signed their 1st deal.

English was never Pavs area of strength, guy knew about 150 words. No telling if he could read our stuff. It's not out of this world to think that some slimeball agent told him BS, thinking he could twist it later and make more cash on a KHL contract.

Some of you dudes act like you're part owners of the team... and that you know the entire story from snippets of HSJ FREEP press releases.

Datsyuk is a legend... and I'd like to see him play with the Wings again. Even as a ghost of his former self, the benefits of having him back are too great to pass up.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Remember that agents are negotiating for 'themselves' at the same time. The bigger the contract, the bigger cut they get.

Is it too far fetched to think that Datsyuk wasn't very involved in his finances? Guys far more wealthy have gone broke. For every dude that loses it all, there are hundreds of dudes ('fluent' in English) that don't have a clue what the contract says, or how the a CBA might have changed things since they signed their 1st deal.

English was never Pavs area of strength, guy knew about 150 words. No telling if he could read our stuff. It's not out of this world to think that some slimeball agent told him BS, thinking he could twist it later and make more cash on a KHL contract.

Some of you dudes act like you're part owners of the team... and that you know the entire story from snippets of HSJ FREEP press releases.

Datsyuk is a legend... and I'd like to see him play with the Wings again. Even as a ghost of his former self, the benefits of having him back are too great to pass up.

If Datsyuk was signing multi-year million dollar contracts he barely understood, then he's an idiot.

And as much as you can tell anything about a hockey player, he sure didn't seem like an idiot.

 

[avssuc]

I don't want to talk about the politics (it's against the rules), but I also find it impossible to ignore how chummy Datsyuk is with his nation's leaders and state of affairs.

I never blamed him for leaving, but after going, he can stay there, thanks.

Different set of rules over there, so it's in his best interest. 'Tim Thomas type politics' would get folks sent to play in the prison league in Siberia.

 

[LeighDx59]

I maybe in the minority but depending on the circumstances I would take him back on a one year deal. He would be solid 3C and powerplay specialist that alot of the younger guys could learn from. My thing is, he cant be taking a roster spot away from a younger guy. If Vanek, Nyquist and Frk dont return then I would love to have him back. but with Zadina and hopefully Veleno knocking on the door, and Svechnikov trying for a spot, they cant be blocked if they earn a roster spot next season.

 

[TatarTangle]

It is personal for a lot of the posters here who seem to have this deep resentment for guys like Datsyuk and Fed.

Because a lot of fans have some illogical (imho) ideology that professional atheltes owe them something.

 

[avssuc]

If Datsyuk was signing multi-year million dollar contracts he barely understood, then he's an idiot.

And as much as you can tell anything about a hockey player, he sure didn't seem like an idiot.

You don't have to be an idiot... you just have to be playing in a league that had 2 lockouts and massive rule changes since you signed your first 3 contracts, signing a new contract that comes with no pension, and is written outside of your native language... and doing this after you've brought the owner untold revenue with your top 5 skillset going on a decade.

It was up to the agent to let Datsyuk know about how his contract would impact the team. What were his incentives for learning to read English and read all the fine print?

The Wings had a contingency (LTIR) for Hank, but not for Pav? Doesn't seem fair. He didn't get an insane Zetterberg type deal, but how do we know it wasn't slightly implied by the Wings brass that they were happy to keep paying once the Euro Twins were 'both' done?

There are a s*** ton of details many are assuming here to justify their hate. I don't care about all of the deets on why he left because the Wings are owned by megarich panhandlers that get the money back (and then some) by taking from the general welfare fund of the local residents. The Wings were on the cusp of becoming a dumpsterfire, so I would have popped smoke too.

 

[chances14]

Just because datsyuk doesn't owe anyone on this board anything, doesn't mean people can't criticize him for bailing on a contract he willingly signed. Datsyuk is my favorite hockey player of all time but just because you were good at hockey, doesn't mean you are immune from criticism. The bottom line is he was a great player that left on crappy terms. if people get offended by others saying that, then maybe it's those people who are taking it too personal

 

[chances14]

Remember that agents are negotiating for 'themselves' at the same time. The bigger the contract, the bigger cut they get.

Is it too far fetched to think that Datsyuk wasn't very involved in his finances? Guys far more wealthy have gone broke. For every dude that loses it all, there are hundreds of dudes ('fluent' in English) that don't have a clue what the contract says, or how the a CBA might have changed things since they signed their 1st deal.

English was never Pavs area of strength, guy knew about 150 words. No telling if he could read our stuff. It's not out of this world to think that some slimeball agent told him BS, thinking he could twist it later and make more cash on a KHL contract.

I don't buy it. the 35+ rule was one of the most talked about changes in the last cba. The excuse about not knowing holds about as much water as the hossa equipment allergy.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

You don't have to be an idiot... you just have to be playing in a league that had 2 lockouts and massive rule changes since you signed your first 3 contracts, signing a new contract that comes with no pension, and is written outside of your native language... and doing this after you've brought the owner untold revenue with your top 5 skillset going on a decade.

It was up to the agent to let Datsyuk know about how his contract would impact the team. What were his incentives for learning to read English and read all the fine print?

The Wings had a contingency (LTIR) for Hank, but not for Pav? Doesn't seem fair. He didn't get an insane Zetterberg type deal, but how do we know it wasn't slightly implied by the Wings brass that they were happy to keep paying once the Euro Twins were 'both' done?

There are a s*** ton of details many are assuming here to justify their hate. I don't care about all of the deets on why he left because the Wings are owned by megarich panhandlers that get the money back (and then some) by taking from the general welfare fund of the local residents. The Wings were on the cusp of becoming a dumpsterfire, so I would have popped smoke too.

I'm not angry about Datsyuk breaking his contract but I am still amazed at how far people will go to absolve him of the decisions he made. He was in his mid 30s and had over a decade experience as a professional hockey player.

It's his responsibility to know what he was signing (which he later stated that he did) and it's his responsibility for breaking that contract.

 

[avssuc]

I don't buy it. the 35+ rule was one of the most talked about changes in the last cba. The excuse about not knowing holds about as much water as the hossa equipment allergy.

Or Zetterberg playing his full contract

 

[Shaman464]

Yep. And that would be my issue with it if I were in management's shoes too. I think it's really ****ty to go back on your word. And to Slick... I have far less issue with what Fedorov did. Even the offer sheet thing. Fedorov was exercising his rights as a free agent to sign a huge deal. And then he was exercising his rights to go to Anaheim where he could easily get more in the way of commercial exposure.

Datsyuk negotiated a guaranteed deal, signed a guaranteed deal, and then did what he could to get out of the guaranteed deal, regardless of the impact of the deal on the Wings after he played his one year and got the biggest payout from the three year deal.

The last paragraph is literally the same thing that the Z deal was bulit on. Z signed a contract he knew he’d never play out and retired as soon as he got the bulk of his money. Regardless of how it left the Wings.