How Pavel Datsyuk Became a Hockey Legend!
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
- This video talks about hockey legend Pavel Datsyuk, who is arguably the most skilled player in NHL history. Datsyuk was one of the biggest draft steals in hockey history as well, falling to the 6th round in 1998 after flying heavily under the radar. Here's how he was discovered by the Detroit Red Wings and quickly, upon arriving at the NHL level became one of the league's most revered players.
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#paveldatsyuk #detroitredwings #nhl
Pens fan here but just gotta say, this is a player that we all miss as hockey fans. Datsyuk was truly special.
Been blessed to live in Detroit, I got to witness Pavel and Barry
Probably the most watched player of his generation by other NHL players and skills coaches. That's the highest compliment.
For sure, he’s so legendary
I literally grew up watching Datsyuk. I'll forever be a fan
Мы его фанаты-и это навсегда👏👏👏
Despite how skillful he was, I will never forget when Corey Perry goaded him into a fight, he dropped the gloves, and somehow gave the much larger Perry all he could handle. He could literally do it all on the ice, but was a gentleman and sportsman by choice.
For sure, he was a beast!
Gordie howe hat trick that night…I was at the Joe and remember it well!!!
Watching him when he was healthy and on his game was unreal. He had a near supernatural sense of opposing player and puck movements that made it seem like he was playing half a second into the future. To see him steal a puck behind his own goal and methodically deke each member of the opposing team (sometimes multiple times) left your jaw on the floor. And it's not like he was doing this to 3rd and 4th liners. Pavel was picking the pocket and breaking the ankles of star players while inventing new moves. He looked at the game different, he moved different, and he even looked different.
It brings tears to my eyes when I realize we'll never get to see him play again!!
Something that is never mentioned is how well Datsyuk hit people. He lead the wings in hits through both their cup runs in the late 00’s in the playoffs. He also has some of the hardest hits I’ve ever seen an undersized player perform. The man had the complete tool set and could steal a puck just as beautifully as he could score or assist it. It was a pleasure watching him play
For sure, underrated attribute no doubt !
In the 2008 Cup win he was their hit leader, IMO he should of won the Conn Smythe.
Some of my favorite hits of his he didnt even have to do the hitting, the opposing player would incorrectly think his head was down and end up hitting a teammate or two after Pavel made him miss.
I’m so happy there’s still people who love this guy! I wish he stayed in the nhl longer 😢
Same here!
Me too. Red wings went down hill as soon as he retired.
The Theif, The Magic Man, Destroyer of Defenses, Killer of Goalie Confidences, and The King of the Dekes.
I went to a red wings game in 2015 and seen him and warm ups and i can’t explain how crazy his hands were. He was born with a gift to put smiles on peoples faces. Miss this guy all the time. Heres one more thing. When he retired wings havnt made the playoffs at all . That shows he was a big part of the team
Great point
Pavel datsyuk is the most underrated player of all time
He's incredible.
One of the most skilled players ever.
Lovely video. Only thing I can think of that's missing is mentioning how he could play so effectively without resorting to anything not allowed. Winning the Lady Byng for most gentlemanly player while also picking up the Selke for best defensive forward is pretty insane - and he did it two years in a row (and had four consecutive Lady Byngs).
Thanks so much! And that is true, definitely a very impressive and underrated feat!
What I found amazing was that when players were polled, they consistently said he was the hardest player to take the puck away from, while simultaneously the most difficult to keep from stealing the puck from you.
Today I watch players like Trevor Zegras and think "the kids all grew up practicing Datsyuk's moves and look at where it's got them". He truly changed how hockey is played, and not many players can say that.
Yep, it’s pretty amazing to think of what an influence he likely had on a lot of these young players in the league now
Zegras was the first player that came to mind when I remembered how sick Dats was
I think Datsyuk is the most skilled player of all-time. He belongs on the first line of any all-time NHL greats team, imo. His defense was just as elite as his offense.
Skilled is McDavid, Kane and Lemeuix I think
@@mr.devil9577 Datsyuk would run circles* around Kane and Lemieux, imo. McDavid has a legitimate case tho.
@Charlie B Gretzky was ahead of his time but he did not possess the same full, well-rounded skillset in my opinion. His defense wasn't as good as Pavel's and Gretzky played in an era where defensemen were mostly pylons and goalies had never heard of the butterfly technique. So while Gretzky was elite in his era, he wouldn't have been as dominant in today's NHL. He's still the GOAT though, there's no denying it. He's the GOAT of all GOATs, better than Jordan, Brady, Babe Ruth (or whoever baseball's GOAT is), Tiger Woods, GSP/Khabib, etc... Gretzky reigns supreme. But he is not the most SKILLED player of all-time. That's just my opinion though.
@Charlie B I didn't say Datsyuk was the best ever. I said he was the most skilled. He was the most well-rounded. I clearly admitted the Gretzky was the Greatest of All-Time. But his skills on defense and his hands were not as good as Datsyuk's. Relax. Your hero is still the best ever.
@@CertifiedClapaholic not for me
The Legend. There is no other, there will be no other like him.
My brother, who ONLY watches hockey and NO other sports, like myself, has always said..."Pavel Datsuyk is probably the best player to ever play pro hockey in North America." He's almost 50 and has been watching since he was a small child and he's probably right.
There’s definitely no other player quite like him!
The two Pavels...... Bure. A pair of Aces
Pavel would be a starter on any all time fantasy team. Hands down the overall most skilled player of my lifetime.
In his prime I think he may have been the best player in the league. A true genius of our game.
The Picasso of hockey. Stroke of genius the way he played the game.
For sure!
My favorite player of all time. Was a privilege to watch him play every game. I was spoiled being a wings fan
I was literally thinking the same thing.
I hear you I was a teenager in the 90s and in my twenties in the 2000s ... had a good 20 yr run
We still are, now that Stevie is back home. The legendary captain will probably go down as a legendary GM.
He came in on the heels like Mario, Wayne, Stevie, Messier, Jagr, Salene, Federov, Hull, Shanahan, Sakic, Forsberg, Modano, etc. an era of legendary players. And he was as complete of a player and selfless as any of them. What’s wild is that he could have had multiple 40+ goal years but he was just such a team player that he didn’t care enough. But boy, could he dominate a period or two when he knew he had to go make a few plays for the team. Truly remarkable hands, IQ and ability to anticipate better than every player on the ice.
We certainly were...the entire 90s was just a good time, so much juice ran through Hockeytown.
Hakan Anderson has to be one of the best scouts in history
For sure!
Thank you for showing people how amazing the Magic Man was. It was a privilege watching him in Detroit.
Thanks for watching, he was a special player!
One of my favourite players and in my option, he’s the best hockey player of all time
I’ve seen some ppl say that, he’s certainly up there!
@@DropthePuckHockey he's definitely the best to ever do it. He's unmatched. Game for game. You can't go with another center for a sure win other than Datsyuk it'd be a foolish move.
@@stopdroolin8418 Wayne Gretzky could probably swing you a game or two, buddy. 🤣
I saw him play 4 times. Two games in Detroit in 07 and 09, and games in St Louis in 08 and in Chicago in 09. All 4 games he was incredible, breathtaking really. I believe he has the highest hockey IQ of a player in the history of the NHL. Had he not missed the first 4 games of the finals in 09 because of his foot injury, they would have beat the Penguins and repeated as champs I have zero doubt.
Did he really miss the first 4 games of the 09 Cup finals?
@@samchaudhary7743 Yes. 6 games in a row he actually missed. The last two games of the conference finals vs Chicago and the first 4 of the Finals. Pav returned for games 5, 6 and 7. In game 5 the one he returned there was a real prick player for the pens that targeted Pavs foot and hit it with his stick several times. I just can't remember who it was.
@@kieferclarkf1674 Jeez no wonder, that explain's everything. I agree 100% we woulda repeated hands down if Pav was in. #Legend
One of my favorite players of all time and I’m a Penguins fan.
He was so great at faceoffs I remember seeing games where if Detroit absolutely needed to win a faceoff, but it wasn't Datsyuk's shift they would put him on the ice to win the faceoff and immediately skate to the bench.
Yep, so good in so many areas of the game
How do you put these plays in stats people only look at goals and points
the move @0:44 is just so iconic, I had forgotten about it until seeing it here and it was always one of my favorite moves I ever saw
Datsyuk is the reason I love the red wings and one of the reasons I played puck
He was so amazing a great 2 way player. I wish the wing could fine another later round like him.
Blessed to be a Wings fan and had watched his entire career from start to finish, he was the truest form of a game changer
Born and raised a die hard Leafs fan and even as a Detroit player he was ALWAYS my absolute favourite. Absolutely magical hands. He started the wave on 'dangles'. Matthews is now my favourite.
Favorite player ever. I’m so lucky I got to see him tons of times at the Joe. I have a framed autographed jersey of his in my office.
That’s awesome, such an amazing player and person
Glad to have met the man a couple times here in Detroit. What a humble gentleman as well as a hockey legend.
That’s really cool
One time we seen him at Kalahari with his wife and kids. Great memory. I can now tell people I went swimming with him lol.
My favourite player of all time...
Honestly, I see some comparable traits of Datsyuk with Raymond. I don't imagine Raymond will reach that *Hockey God* level but at the same time, Datsyuk was 24 when he made his NHL debut and Raymond just turned 20 last month. He has that cerebral presence and moves similarly to Datsyuk on the ice. Also has that 200ft game ability already, being one of our best defensive forwards as a rookie. He needs to add more strength but that will come with time. I miss seeing Datsyuk out there on the ice. So glad I got to watch him and Zetterberg play live once in my life. I'll never forget it! #LGRW
You can't be serious. I see mcdavid have similar moves. Raymond isn't even close to making moves like Pavel WTF???
The Man, The Myth, The Legend
He was on another level at the time, yeah. Just jaw dropping, still, some of this stuff.
Magician. Respect from an Avs fan.
One thing that I always thought was an under-rated part of his game was he was so strong on his feet. People would hit him and it wouldn't even budge him.
For sure ! So hard to knock off the puck, a lot like jagr
Your comment made me think of that reverse hit he threw to weber one time !
He would stand up into the oncoming hit and the guy would just bounce off, stunned and surprised.
When I was a kid (born in 02) I never got into hockey even tho my whole family was die hard isles fans. One day in like 06 or 07 the isles were playing the wings and I sat with my family to watch. when I saw datsyuk skate and how fluid he looked on the ice I fell in love with the game. He is the reason I watch and started to play hockey. I no longer play bc I was never the best but he is the reason that I still want to pursue a career in the hockey world. Idk who I’d be or what I’d be doing if I never watched that game.
That’s really awesome, he had such an impact on the game of hockey! Glad he got you in !
The most talented player i've ever born whitness too.... he would do things we had never seen on a weekly basis AND he could just take over a shift single handed when the need arose!!!
It's not even his skating and stickhandling. It's his strength on the puck, vision and defense-minded game that just blows me away.
Ikr , it’s insane
I've always described him to non-hockey fans as the "Barry Sanders of Hockey." Then I would show them some highlights, and they would say that's a spot-on comparison.
For sure, someone else also made a comment comparing him to Barry sanders and it’s pretty spot on, especially because both were Detroit athletes
you mean explaining who barry sanders is, you say he's like datsyuk....? ...who is barry sanders??
@@erikmarkus7467 sanders was an nfl running back, one of the best of all time
@@DropthePuckHockey well thanks... sorry for the ignorance, but nobody really follows american football outside the u.s.
I miss Pav every time i turn on hockey. Best player to ever play despite that stats he put up. hard to argue otherwise. Great video tho man, its always nice to see a new video on Datsyuk
Thanks so much! He was so fun to watch
Best hockey handle ever...and I'm a Hawks fan who watched Patrick Kane!
Thanks you for making this video. Dats is truly a.azing and I am glad others know it too. The only missing from all the highlight videos I have seen on him, no one has mentioned how he great he was without the puck. His stick handling is amazing; no one has posted a comp of his skills just keeping the other teams from TOUCHING the puck. He can play keep away with the other team while staying behind the net and not lose the puck.
If you ask seri on the apple phones, " who is the magic man?" She will tell you that it is Datsyuk!
Thanks so much for watching ! Glad you enjoyed, datsyuk is such an icon!
They don't call him the Magic Man for nothing. I miss this guy he was way ahead of his time
Datsyuk changed the game with the younger generation coming up. Quite possibly the most elite stick handling of all time and amazing hand-eye coordination with puck stealing. Most of the top younger guys are heavily influenced by his style and play making.
I think we are actually seeing the effects of growing up watching him play now. Seeing people like zegras do crazy moves makes me wonder if he grew up watching Datsyuk
100 percent, it’s awesome !
Legend!!! One of his Selke trophy speeches was "I want speech longer but my English short" I swear fans and media never understood how revered he was by the league.
My favorite player of all time. Thanks for the vid!
Thanks so much for watching, glad you enjoyed!
@@DropthePuckHockey for sure. I subbed too! One of my fav moments was when they had the all star draft and chara selected datsyuk first so he wouldn’t have to play against him. LOL
@@crewmanderek3641 appreciate it! And that’s great haha two beasts of the game
That flick and those toe drags. Nobody could ever do it like him. He’s a fucking monster of a hockey player
My favorite moment was my Yotes buying his contract and him never playing for them lol. Honestly though, an absolute legend. Great video!
Ikr that was awesome, but thank you!
I always ask this question, if you needed to build an entire franchise around a player who would it be?
I always say Pavel Datsyuk
Henrik Lundqvist is my pick with Wayne being #2 and Pavel being #3
Very valid answer
I’m a Detroiter and as much as I love Datsyuk I’d go with Ovechkin to build a team around.
@@tvelis513 valid. Kinda hard to argue against that. I guess the only thing I’d value more is the defensive skills and all around playmaking abilities. Ovi lays the body and has an amazing one timer, but I just think datsyuk reaches the same level as ovi but in a more efficient, safe way hahaha
@@tvelis513 I can see why youd use him but hes more of a star player than a team player which is what id be going for
My Favorite modern era red wing. He should have been the Captain after Nick, but knowing Datsyuk he probably said give it to Hank.
Guy changed hockey forever, all the kids from 2000s were practicing their Datsyukian Dekes, and playing his 2 way game.
I think Zetterberg just had more of that leadership quality as in the guy to rally a locker room and the guy to keep everyone focused. Also pretty sure his English was better. Datsyuk is like a lead by example kind of guy. He was a great leader for recognizing that he could lead best by wearing the A and giving Hank the C.
The most complete player in my opinion.
I think he is the most complete player the game of hockey has ever seen. Tremendously gifted, a great learner of the NHL and likely extremely well trained in Russia. Is he an anomaly , a one of a kind or are any players coming out of Russia who possess such awesome skills and hockey intelligence?
These videos will never get old .
need to clone him, you're not gonna see those magic hands probably for a hundred years..
Datsyuk is poetry on ice
Legit tho
Smack that like button. 👍 greatest set of mits and bag full of tricks up sleeve. The greatest red wing player of all time !!!!!
Thanks man! And I agree for sure, one of the goats
Павлик, ты легенда! Гордимся тобой!!!
im 15 now but I rememder watching him in a vancoger game soring a emtey net goal. God I miss him.
My friends and I made a Pavel Datsyuk drink: Equal parts strawberry flavored vodka and Faygo Redpop (another Detroit legend).
It's called a Datsyukian Deke because after too many, you end up falling over.
Haha that’s amazing, will have to try it out sometime !
Honestly by that definition all alcohol is called a datsyukian deke.
1v1 he would destroy anyone. Best two way hockey player ever
HOF for sure. Magnificent player and really humble.
Datsyuk may not be the best player in hockey history, but he's every best players favorite and that makes him a legend.
Very good point, it’s so cool to hear other nhlers talk about how good datsyuk was
These were the best times of my life
4:03 was just beautiful datsyuk is a legend
Datsyuk is OG, I have his authentic jersey signed by the whole red wings
That’s really cool !
I remember there was a stretch between the lockout and like '08-'09 where Babcock had Datsyuk paired with Zetterberg and they were playing like the Sedin twins. It was unbelievable the chemistry they had together. Then Babcock started splitting them up to center the top 2 lines because they were both great defensive centers but they just weren't the same.
But yeah that little stretch with Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom, and Lidstrom was great hockey.
Dude was the main reason I watched hockey back in the day. Should show the interviews of other players saying who they are most worried about when they see the puck and who they'd want on their team and all these players from other teams just kept saying Pavel datsyuk
Love to hear it and that’s a good point, all the players had such great respect for him
Imagine how many greats will never be discovered and play in small towns in the middle of nowhere. That was close to happening here.
Pavel Datsyuk + Pavel Bure would have been a dream, simply magic.
For sure, that woulda been unreal !
Ah yes, Pavel Datsyuk...the inventor of, and master of...'The Datsyukian Deke'!
Datsyuk is the GOAT
Enjoyed this. Nick Suzuki shows glances of Datsyuk-lite (very lite) sometimes and it makes me excited as a fan.
Thanks so much, and Suzuki def a solid young player !
He was the best at take aways. At times many players would look.behind them to make sure he wasn't coming. He would always come from behind and take it right away from a player not paying attention. Not really a personal stat that is recorded. Detroit fox sports started recording them as a stat.
He was the Barry Sanders of hockey. Always calm, always patient, always hard working, always fun to watch. A true legend.
A hockey magician, his stick being his wand!
He IS the GOAT of selke winners
Thank you my.friend !
While Datsyuk's team was based in Yekaterinburg, the team at times played in the RSL, albiet in the Eastern conference.
In the relegation group of Datsyuk's draft year they did play teams based in the west such as one of the many Moscow based teams.
While it's not one of the major cities in the West, it's one of the bigger cities in Russia. Far from a backwater that is often suggested.
European players can be drafted into their mid 20s, and definitely wasn't uncommon in the 90s and early 00s. Keep in mind his future teammate Samuelsson was older when drafted in the same year.
Also won Gagarin Cup in 04-5 with Dynamo Moskva, upon his return with SKA St. Petersburg, and Olympic Gold for team Russia.
Good to know, thanks for the context!
What you see from guys like Matthews, Zegras, Draisaitl today you can attribute to Pavel Datsyuk. Hell Leon even patterned his stick with the giant paddle after Pasha.
100 percent
I lived in the metro Detroit area at the time after growing up there and it's criminal that most people (if you like hockey and particularly are from the mitten) have never heard of Hakan Anderson. Myself included. This video was the first time I've ever heard of him.
Yeah that’s true , scouts don’t always get the credit they deserve. Anderson’s clearly a legend tho
Great Tribute!!! In my picture I am wearing a custom race shirt , a blue red Wings shirt with Datsyuk 13 on Back!,
Thanks man! That’s awesome tho, he’s one of the most iconic players in hockey history
@@DropthePuckHockey my fave player EVER!! It used toGretzky! I can watchPav play all day! My CATS name was Pavel. After BURE and Datsyuk!! His twin brother was OVi.
BEST two way player that ever put on skates. Period.
Grew up a Blackhawks fan but Datsyuk was always my favorite player in the league.
To say he was strong defensively is a understatement. This guy was a straight up pick pocket thief. 😂
Just found your channel, great quality videos, Keep it up!
Thanks so much, means a lot !
I saw many of his best moments live. In 2001/2002 I saw every game his rookie year. I was laid off from my job so I watched a lot of hockey. His highlight reels were fun to watch but I still think Yzerman was more fun to see.
Many don’t know this, but his 07-08 is statistically the best season of the analytics era according to most models ( analytics era is regarded as 2007-present)
Oh wow, that’s crazy, doesn’t surprise me at all tho
Datsyuk is such a special hockey player. There have been a lot of greats but, for me, the two most entertaining players during my years following the sport were Datsyuk and Hasek. They were just different and in a league of their own.
My favorite player
Greatest player of all-time!!
No doubt
Way to leave out the greatest over all player ever, Mr. Hockey!
Couldn’t include everybody, just wanted to list a few, my apologies !
Great player. Before Datsyuk, the original "Magic Man" nickname went to Kent Nilsson, Calgary Flames forward.
Matthews reminds me of Datsyuk. The puck sticks to them. They steal it the same way. They work the corners in identical fashion. They’re never in a hurry, and they’re always in perfect position. Matthews might have a better release, but pretty much everything else is identical.
They do have some similarities, matthews the better goal scorer, and datsyuk the more well rounded defensive player
the on/off for him with the red wings were ridiculous
Great video i had to subscribe
Thanks so much, appreciate it!
Great video man keep it comin I’ll always watch
Thanks so much man, really appreciate it!
@@DropthePuckHockey no problem! I live in Michigan so Datsyuk has a special place in my heart... The stuff he did was nearly impossible Lmao.
I'm a die hard Penguins fan, but Datsyuk was nastyyyyyyy. Those hands tho!
Same here and he really was