Confirmed with Link: Datsyuk retiring

[Ricelund]

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[Bench]

Hell of a player. Gave us years of entertainment and elite play.

I'm happy he got to return to his home and finish his career the way he wanted. And thus concludes all the nice things I have to say about that chapter.

 

[jaster]

How many years are left on his KHL contract?

 

[13to40]

I remember the first time I was able to pull off the datsyukian toe drag Deke on a breakaway in a game… #13 will always be one of my favourite players all time. Wasn’t only a very smart player on the ice; but one hell of an entertainer with those silky smooth mitts as well.

 

[MBH]

Perhaps the best hockey player I ever saw.
Never saw one like him before, haven't seen one like him since.

Had what he called a "hockey heart," just like Yzerman.

Should be a Hall of Famer.
Should also see his jersey retired by Detroit.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

GOAT. He was already pretty much retired as he didn't play last season in the KHL. He did play today in a "farewell match" for Alex Semin (Ovechkin also played in it) in Russia. Not a real competition but could be his last time on the ice even in this capacity. What a career.

How many years are left on his KHL contract?

none, he didn't play last year either

 

[ShanahanMan]

Weird, thought he already had

 

[bedtime20]

G.O.A.T

 

[14ari13]

Definitely one of the most exciting player to watch ever.

But Seider is going to join and pass him.

 

[Ricelund]

Two of his more underrated goals, IMO. He was an absolute machine in that San Jose series. One of the best individual series I can remember from a Red Wing.

 

[Retire91]

Magical memories of watching him play. Just always making something happen on the ice.

 

[The Real Pastafarian]

My favorite athlete of all time in any sport.

It seemed like every game he played, I'd see him do something I'd never seen before.

 

[barriers]

 

[MBH]

Definitely one of the most exciting player to watch ever.

But Seider is going to join and pass him.

Seider will not pass Datsyuk as a more exciting player.

First game I ever saw him, I kept thinking, why does the announcer keep talking about duck soup?
Almost immediately, he created a buzz.
I remember there was some debate about who'd be a better rookie - Jason Williams or Pavel Datsyuk.
Didn't last long.
Around February or so of his rookie year, with a few wings out battling injuries, Datsyuk got more TOI and just owned everything.

 

[SoupNazi]

Perhaps the best hockey player I ever saw.
Never saw one like him before, haven't seen one like him since.

Had what he called a "hockey heart," just like Yzerman.

Should be a Hall of Famer.
Should also see his jersey retired by Detroit.

The way he left midway through a contract? Nah.

 

[MBH]

The way he left midway through a contract? Nah.

Soup Nazi from the Who Cares Department is at your service.

 

[SoupNazi]

Soup Nazi from the Who Cares Department is at your service.

Lame. You can do better. At least address me as Mr. SoupNasty.

 

[Electric Eric]

How many years are left on his KHL contract?

Look he just wants to play closer to his daughter, so thats why he's now going to be playing in the Czech Extraliga.

Plus you really can't expect him or his agent to read the all the contract stipulations can you?

 

[Ishad]

Can’t wait to see his number in the rafters of Arizona State University

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

This is one of those "wait I thought that happened years ago" moments. I fully expect to see news of Chris Pronger and Derian Hatcher retiring.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Miraculous he managed to play 270+ games in the KHL. When he broke his contract with the Wings I was told several times his ankles were shot anyway so not a big loss.

In all seriousness what a great player and fantastic career. I remember in his first couple seasons I massively underrated his potential, thinking he'd be a Slava Kozlov type player. I think I was fooled by them being two soft spoken but crafty Russians wearing the same number.

I'll always marvel at what Datsyuk did on the ice, but do not love how he left or his regressive views on social issues.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

To me he retired the moment he left the Wings...

 

[Reddwit]

Datsyuk would’ve won the Selke and scored 110+ points in today’s league. Sometimes I get bitter seeing all the open space in today’s NHL and wonder what magic Datsyuk would’ve made with it.

 

[Oddbob]

How many years are left on his KHL contract?

Heard we have to make a trade with Arizona for the last 2 years or something like that!

 

[dalem177]

What made Datsyuk Datsyuk? I watched much of it, but other than "magic" I can't do anything but wave my hands vaguely and point to replays, when asked.