Hockey Beat » pavel datsyuk

Datsyuk Wins Selke and Byng Award

Jeanne Dupuis — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:06:03 +0000

Detroit Red Wings center, Pavel Datsyuk, took home the Frank J. Selke Trophy after his 32 goals/97 points and plus/minus rating of plus –34 secured his spot as the league’s top defensive forward. His effort was enough to beat out his fellow nominees, Mike Richards (Philadelphia) and Ryan Kesler (Vancouver).

I wasn’t surprised to see him take home the Lady Bing Memorial Trophy for the fourth straight year. The prize honors players for their sportsmanlike conduct – Datsyuk only incurred 22 penalty minutes in 81 games and beat out Martin St. Louis of Tampa Bay and New Jersey’s Zach Parise.

image: NHL.com

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Lidstrom To Play Game 1, Datsyuk Uncertain

Jeanne Dupuis — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:57:12 +0000

The Detroit Red Wings will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins tomorrow night in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals and I’m sure they are relieved by the news that Nicklas Lidstrom is expected back in the lineup.

The defenceman had been out with an undisclosed injury but was seen skating with regular partner, Brian Rafalski, during practice.

Unfortunately, there is a less definitive picture of what’s happening with Pavel Dastyuk. Detroit coach, Mike Babcock, said that it will come down to a last-minute decision before Saturday’s game. In my opinion, if there is still a doubt, I think he should rest for one more game and be truly ready for Game 2 rather than putting himself at a greater risk for injury (clearly, that didn’t workout so well when Martin Havlat forced his way onto the bench for the Chicago Blackhawks). The star player has been out for the last three games final with a foot injury.

Datsyuk and Kris Draper (missed two games with a groin injury) were both back on the ice for Friday’s morning skate but Datsyuk was not putting a lot of effort into it which indicates to me that he’s still suffering or cautious.

Jonathan Ericsson will also rejoin his team for Game 1 although he didn’t skate as a precaution just days following surgery for acute appendicitis.

image: TSN

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Red Wings’ Datsyuk Suffering From Sore Foot

Jeanne Dupuis — Fri, 22 May 2009 02:37:09 +0000

Pavel Datsyuk’s status for Game 3 of the 2009 Western Conference Finals remains in questions as he tries to recover from a sore foot. The Detroit Red Wings star center missed practice today before the team headed to Chicago to get ready for tomorrow’s game.

He was injured after his foot was struck by a puck during Detroit’s 3-2 OT win on Tuesday night.

To be honest, despite the fact that Datsyuk is normally really essential in the lineup, he hasn’t been spectacular in the postseason (just one goal and two assists in the 13 playoff games). It’s been a stark contrast to his stellar, 97-point season.

After tomorrow’s morning skate, Datsyuk will be evaluated and, I’m guessing, the team doctors will make a decision about whether he can play. I hope to see him back in the lineup. It sucks to get sidelined during the playoffs.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat