Pavel Datsyuk's Last NHL Game?

Has Pavel Datsyuk played his last NHL game? If so, the CBC's Tim Wharnsby has an excellent look at Pavel Datsyuk: Hockey's Silent Killer:

The Detroit Red Wings star confided to Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom earlier this month that this likely would be his swan song in Motown. Datsyuk, who turns 38 on July 20, wants to return to his native Russia to be closer to his 13-year-old daughter Elizabeth from his first marriage.

He may or may not continue to play in Russia next season, but he plans to skate away from the $7.5 million US in salary he would be due in the final season of his contract with Detroit. He feels terrible that this will count against the Red Wings' salary cap, but his homeland has beckoned since he played for CSKA Moscow in 2012, when the NHL season didn't start on time because of a lockout.

Here's the full story.

Hockey Card of the Day: Pavel Datsyuk

01/02 TOPPS HERITAGE PAVEL DATSYUK RC (#151) RED WINGS ROOKIE CARD

Pucks On The 'Net: Dats Hockey!

Kate Middleton may have started the craze, but Pavel Datsyuk is the original fascinator. Datsyuk has been nothing short of incredible the past couple of games for Detroit. Imagine how good he would be if his wrist was not bothering him.

Here's a few more thoughts on the game last night:

• That was one heck of a hockey game. Detroit was the better team, deserving of the win. You can't help but feel bad for Antti Niemi, who was nothing short of amazing against the Red Wings' onslaught.
• It's between Datsyuk and Ryan Kesler in the best player of the 2011 playoffs debate. The difference? Ryan Kesler has been a superstar for a few weeks. Pavel Datsyuk has been a superstar for a few years.
• Val Filppula, who skates a whole lot like Datsyuk, had a great game. He scored the winning goal, but also nicely drove the defense deep and set up the first goal.
• Saw this on Twitter: In 13 career playoff game 6's, Patrick Marleau has just 1 assist.
• San Jose, who have long been dogged by playoff failures, will never live down a game 7 loss. Blowing a 3-0 series lead is almost unforgiveable.
• History, of course, still suggests San Jose will win the series. But would you bet against the Mike Babcock, Pavel Datsyuk and the Detroit Red Wings? No way.

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Who's Better? Pavel Datsyuk vs. Sergei Fedorov

I posed this question on Twitter (Follow Me - @HockeyLegends) the other night: Who's Better? Pavel Datsyuk vs Sergei Fedorov.

Both are best known as Detroit Red Wings, where they were both human highlight reels and Stanley Cup champions.

Both are classic Russian centermen - incredible puck handling and distribution skills combined with equally impressive defensive play.

In fact, the conversation on Twitter evolved into who is the greatest Russian centerman of all time? There's no  shortage to choose from, with Igor Larionov, Boris Mikhailov leading the way. I dared to opine that whoever is declared the winner of the Datsyuk or Fedorov debate should also be named as the best Russian centerman of all time.

The general consensus on Twitter? Datsyuk, perhaps aided by the "living-in-the-now" effect, gets the edge due to more consistent play and leadership. But while Fedorov could be an enigma at times, his peak may have been higher. And that Fedorov was a better playoff performer.

Still, the jury is still very much out regarding this topic, as far as I'm concerned. So I open up the debate here. Using the comments section below, tell me who you think is the better player - Datsyuk or Fedorov? Also feel free to discuss the great Russian centers of all time.

Top Ten Pavel Datsyuk Plays

I just love watching Pavel Datsyuk play hockey. Here's a top ten video tribute to Pavel:

Check Out Malkin - Datsyuk Will Be.

Evgeni Malkin is the second NHL player to either score or assist on each of his team's first five goals in a Stanley Cup Final series. Henri Richard did that for Montreal in the 1960 Finals.

Malkin had an assist on the Penguins' only goal in Game 1, he scored their lone goal in Game 2, and he assisted on Pittsburgh's first three goals in Game 3.

Since 1997, the only other players to record three assists in a Stanley Cup Final game were New Jersey's Patrik Elias (Game 1 in 2000 vs. Dallas) and Carolina's Matt Cullen (Game 2 in 2006 vs. Edmonton) .

Malkin has been good, maybe even great as Eric Duhatschek suggests. Zetterberg and Lidstrom all over Crosby, Malkin has needed to be. There have been a couple of times where he did not score and it would have been absolutely crucial that he did.

It sounds like Malkin will have a harder time going forward though. MVP candidate and likely two-time Selke Trophy winner Pavel Datsyuk looks set to return to Detroit's already incredibly deep roster.

I'm still catching up on the news from my camping trip. Here's some reading I found of interest:

Mario says Crosby better than he was at age 21 - IllegalCurve.com looks at some numbers, and it's hard to agree with Mario on this one. Sid is great, but he's no Mario. Mind you, it took Mario 7 years to make the playoffs. Sid is in his 2nd Stanley Cup finals before the age of 22.

Ray Emery Is Coming Back To NHL - Philly fascination with average goalies continues. The good news - out west we can put to rest the Luongo to Philly trade talk.

Puck Daddy Talks To Brett's Daddy - Bobby Hull will always be the Golden Jet in my books.

What Happens To Hat Trick Hats - More from Puck Daddy. Greg Wyshynski answers the question, complete with an ice girl hottie.

Serge Savard Won't Buy Habs - I know he's done very well for himself, and has some high placed friends, but the asking price is too steep. And I'm not even convinced the Habs are for sale.

Nitzy's Old Hockey Ads - Chris Mizzoni's blog may be the most under-the-radar gem of the blogosphere.