Datsyuk returns to Russia
September 6, 2005
8:30am, Government Class
Today news broke that Pavel Datsyuk has signed with the Avangard Omsk, a Russian elite team. He went where the money was better, although financial terms are not disclosed. It is rumored that Datsyuk wanted five to six million dollars a year, and the fact is the Wings just don’t have that to offer. They have just under seven million left and still need to sign Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings offered Pavel Datsyuk a four million dollar deal, and he turned it down. Datsyuk is quoted in the Detroit Free Press as saying, “I think I am worth at least what (Dany) Heatley or (Joe) Thornton got from their deals.” Unfortunately these guys make a little over six million a year.
Now how does this make you, as a Red Wings fan feel? This whole time the team has been feeding us this line that they are getting there and not to worry because Datsyuk and Zetterberg will be back. Waking up this morning and hearing this news, I just shook my head. How can I be surprised when the Wings only have seven million left to split between Datsyuk and Zetterberg? It just wasn’t going to happen. How can a team say they are building the team around two players WHEN THE PLAYERS AREN’T EVEN SIGNED?! If the future of the team is Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, then why didn’t the team sign them first? Now the Wings must go after Zetterberg. It’s rumored that he has said that he’s playing in Sweden this year. Red Wings fans, don’t lose all hope, the Red Wings can still work out a deal with Pavel Datsyuk up until October 5, which is the day of the home opener. If Datsyuk plays a game with his Russian team, however, he will no longer be eligible to sign with and NHL team until the 2006-07 season. Don’t get your hopes up though. If Datsyuk won’t sign now, I really don’t think he’ll sign in a month. For some reason I just can’t see it happening, unless Ken Holland finds some miraculous loop hole in the collective bargaining agreement, and he can get some more money. The big question now is whether or not Zetterberg is going to want to play here in Detroit when his buddy Pavel isn’t here. Sure there maybe more money now for Henrik, but I just have a bad feeling. Hopefully I’m wrong about that. Hopefully Pavel and Henrik have not talked and Pavel hasn’t said anything to keep Henrik out of a Detroit Red Wings sweater this year. Losing Datsyuk AND Zetterberg could be the difference between a run to the Stanley Cup finals and no playoffs at all.
Quote and some info thanks to “Datsyuk signs with Russian Team” by: Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press
posted by Jordan @ 8:00 PM
6 Comments:
Jordan, just saw your plug from T Foster. Good Luck with the new blog!
As far as Datsyuk goes, welcome to the era of the salary cap. Let's just hope there's enough money for Datsyuk next year when both Brendan and Steve's contracts come off the books. It's a shame they couldn't work something out where he gets 3-4 mil this year and up it 1 or 2 mil after that. Datsyuk asking for $6 mil a season is a little ridiculous seeing how he just disappears come playoff time.
Jordan, I found you through Terry's blog as well. And I couldn't agree more that writing a blog is a great way to sharpen those writing muscles, especially if you take it seriously (which it looks like you're doing) and don't just use it as a place to rant.
But back to the Wings: I'd feel a heck of a lot better about the upcoming season (and the future of the franchise) if they had Datsyuk on the ice.
Anonymous, his demands and what's signable are two different things. You always ask for the top restricted free agents.
But, this problem is 100% attributed to Holland keeping and signing OLD PLAYERS instead of looking after his core.
Yzerman, Shanahan, Schneider, and Chelios combine to be somewhere in the ballpark of $8-9M.
It really does make you wonder what's more important:
Showing gratitude for 3 old veterans who are hall of famers who are shells of their former selves or bidding against a market for your two young guns?
Chris,
Anonymous was me, I agree with what you wrote. Yzerman is the only guy I'll cut Holland slack for just because if he didn't re-sign him Art Regner would sit on him!
Seriously, the production from Chelios and Shanahan has dropped so much over the past couple of years that I'd bet we could get AT LEAST the same amount of production from a much younger and cheaper player.
I don't blame Schneider for getting his 3 mill a year from the Wings because he knows he was their most productive and consistent defenseman last season.
Bottom line was if Holland really cared about his core and the future, he should've signed Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Schneider and said thanks for the memories to the other three!
Jason. Yes, you're absolutely right.
This whole thing was a tough call. Yzerman has such an iconic status in this city, that you almost have to worry about an insane backlash in return.
Honestly, has anyone ever held such a status in Detroit sports history as Yzerman?
Maybe Gordie Howe? But, did people pay attention and idolize athletes back then?
Jordan, since you are the aspiring writer, what do you think the result would be if the Red Wings cut ties with Yzerman to sign Datsyuk? Or, what if it was for acquiring a franchise cornerstone player, such as Jerome Iginla?
Do you think people would be happy or downright angry?
Well Chris,
I think the city would be outraged. Ken Holland would have to be very very careful in the way it was announced or the way he went about it. Yes it might help them out in the long run, but Detroit loves their captain. The man has given his life to this team. He's played through pain, and tough times and that would not be the way that he should be repaid. However, if it was a mutual agreement, then maybe Detroit would accept it.
I personally would be upset, just because I am selfish and don't want to see Steve go yet. I want it to be his choice of when his career ends. I don't want his last game to be the one where he gets nailed in the face with the puck. That's just not the way someone of his status should end their career.
During this lockout that almost killed me, I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Yzerman, and he was one of the nicest people I have ever met. I was able to talk with him and right then, at that moment, I knew he was going to be coming back. Just the way he was talking. Had he not been resigned I would have been very upset and mad at Ken Holland and the Red Wings brain trust. It is important to sign young players to help the team in the long run (such as Datsyuk), however, loyalty is more important. Other players look at it and say, the Red Wings are a good team, and I know they won't just kick me out without a good reason, I'll sign there. It may not help the team for this year, but if people (such as free agents) see their loyalty and commitment to success, they will take a better look at Detroit when they are looking to sign somewhere. So, signing Yzerman, will help the team in some way. But losing Datsyuk, will hurt the team this year, but they will be able to recover. I personally feel that he is not worth 5-6 million dollars a year, especially if Zetterberg only signed for 2.56.
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