Detroit Red Wings All-Time Team and Line Combinations
Pavel Datsyuk
Yet another Russian born player finds his way on to the all-time roster. Pavel Datsyuk, who just departed the Wings this offseason, unquestionably deserves to be here.
Originally drafted 171st overall in the 1998 NHL Draft, Datsyuk was not expected to be much more than a secondary scorer. In his first year with the big club in 2002, he produced 35 points in 70 games, and helped the Wings win their third Stanley Cup in six seasons.
It was widely reported that Sergei Fedorov took the time to mentor Datsyuk in 2002. It is likely due to Fedorov’s influence that Datsyuk became one of the greatest two-way forwards the game has ever seen. No player has been awarded the Frank Selke Trophy more than Pavel Datsyuk; not even Fedorov himself.
Yet, unlike his mentor Fedorov, Datsyuk probably won’t be remembered by Red Wings fans for his defense. Rather, Datsyuk’s incredible speed and hands are what will likely resonate the most with Red Wings fans the most. No player could take a goalie to school like Datsyuk. His signature dekes were so spectacular, that players around the league attempted to emulate him. The “Datsyukian” deke will go down as legendary, just like its creator.
Datsyuk retired from NHL hockey after the 2015/2016 season. He finished his career with 918 points in 953 games as a Red Wing.