On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues. In this edition, editors Ian McLaren and Navin Vaswani say goodbye to Pavel Datsyuk.
McLaren: It's probably not the way Datsyuk nor the Detroit Red Wings wanted their relationship to end, but the dynamic Russian center is heading home with a year remaining on his NHL contract and a resume that earns him the distinction of being one of the greatest two-way players in the history of the game.
The "Magic Man" nickname was entirely appropriate for a player whose ability to handle, pass, shoot, and track the puck was essentially unmatched. When he wasn't putting on a show in the offensive zone (averaging 0.96 points per game for his career), he was racing back to the defensive end to take the puck right back, making him a three-time winner of the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward. And he did it with style and grace, winning four Lady Byng trophies to boot.
Datsyuk also helped bring two Stanley Cups and three Conference championships to Hockeytown, playing a small role as a rookie in 2002, while recording 23 points in 22 playoff games in 2008.
In short, Datstyuk has been one of the most exciting players to watch in recent memory, bringing fans out of their seats just as easily for a back-check steal as a "How did he do that?!" goal or assist. He will be missed, but no one should fault him for wanting to be closer to his family.
Vaswani: Datsyuk made his debut in the iconic red and white on Oct. 4, 2001. Almost 15 years later, he's going home to Mother Russia. Time flies.
A month shy of 38, it's time, and I can't begrudge him. No one can. He gave the Red Wings and the NHL the best years of his life, and while he was paid handsomely to play the game he loves away from home, those years came at the expense of his family. In the end, there's something right about Datsyuk announcing his intention to be closer to his teenage daughter the afternoon before Father's Day.
To me, Datsyuk was the Red Wings. Quietly great. Consistent. Forever competitive. He also personified the beauty that is Russian hockey, combining skill, grace, poise, incredible hockey IQ, and the ability to make the difficult look so damn easy in a way only few Russian players can.
This is how I'll remember Pavel Datsyuk:
Injuries robbed us from seeing Datsyuk on the ice in recent years. The last time he played 70 games in a season was in 2011-12. But when he was out there, he was always one of the better players on the sheet. The magic never faded.
Datsyuk did what he came over to do. He put on a show, he spent his entire career with one team, and he won. He leaves with his name forever inscribed on the Stanley Cup.
Thanks for the memories and the magic, Pavel.
