DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 31: Some Detroit Red Wings fans having some New Years Eve fun during the second period of an NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena on December 31, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit defeated Ottawa 4-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
Detroit Red Wings: Datsyuk Signing Is Typical for Hockeytown
No franchise in any of the four major sports uses the phrase loyalty in its day-to-day operations. Except one. The Detroit Red Wings have established a history of creating, cultivating, and retaining exceptional players throughout their careers.
On Monday, the Red Wings announced that they had reached an agreement with star center Pavel Datsyuk on a contract extension that would maintain the winged wheel on his chest for the next four seasons. After the 2014-15 season, there was conjecture that Datsyuk will return to his native Russia to cap off his amazing career.
The rumors concerning Datsyuk’s return home were to be expected. Given his age (35), his daughter, and the lockout that ended this season, Datsyuk would naturally be curious about finishing his career in the country he called home until he came to Detroit at age 23.
Datsyuk was a fourth-line player on an extremely good Red Wings roster when he first arrived in 2002. He connected with veteran Brett Hull and Boyd Devereaux on a line aptly titled “Two Kids and a Goat.” The Wings won the Stanley Cup that year and again in 2008. Though his English is still bad today, no athlete in the planet looks as silky smooth on the ice.
On Monday, Datsyuk signed a three-year deal worth $22.5 million. The salary cap charge comes out to $7.5 million, which is excellent market value for a player who is often regarded as the most complete in the NHL. Datsyuk was the Red Wings’ leading scorer this season, with 15 goals and 34 assists in 48 games.
Though the year after legendary captain Nicklas Lidstrom was meant to be a rebuilding year, Datsyuk, Niklas Kronwall, and new captain Henrik Zetterberg led Detroit to the playoffs for the 22nd year in a row. The Wings upset the second-seeded Anaheim Ducks in a thrilling seven-game series before losing in seven to the Stanley Cup finalist Chicago Blackhawks.
Datsyuk’s contract puts him in elite company with the storied Detroit Red Wings. In an era when nearly every player is looking for a bigger and better free-agent contract, Datsyuk joins Zetterberg, Kronwall, Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Tomas Holmstrom as the most recent “lifer” Red Wings.
In a team sport, consistency is essential when chasing a title. With the addition of number 13, the core of Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Kronwall, and goaltender Jimmy Howard will be locked down until 2016-17. Detroit, a squad whose defense was supposed to be its Achilles heel, finished sixth in the NHL.
Detroit General Manager Ken Holland called signing Datsyuk “peace of mind,” a sentiment shared by every Red Wings fan. There is still work to be done this offseason, with some big decisions ahead. Locking up Pavel Datsyuk was the first priority and the biggest step as Detroit reclaims it spot as one of the elite teams in the NHL.
