Pavel Datsyuk was the MOST CREATIVE NHL hockey player to ever live... THIS is why.

#nhl #hockey #detroitredwings
The 'Magic Man' Pavel Datsyuk changed the game forever. In this video, we take a deep dive on how Datsyuk dominated the NHL.. and what made him so special.
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[@420slayer3]

As a Red Wing fan I watched his entire career and it was incredible.

[@JK_Clarke]

I thought he was still playing in Russia?

[@CRlMZlN]

@@JK_Clarke I'm sure the OP meant his entire NHL career, but to your point, he did play in the KHL for a while but recently retired. Which means he is now eligible for the hockey hall of fame, where he will undoubtedly be inducted.

[@astronautdolphindetective6908]

me too

[@AlexJones4Prez]

Same, came here to reminisce since we’ve sucked for 20 years

[@Lukeduke7773]

He was so good his absence has ruined hockey for me….we will never see such beauty on the ice again…makes me legit sad

[@Kwright304]

I have seen Datsyuk play live over 100 times, mostly not in Detroit. I have been to a lot of away wings games, as well as th Olympics twice to see him. I’ve seen everyone from Fedorov to Kucherov. Datsyuk took the best parts of Igor Larionov and the best parts of Sergei Fedorov and then back checked like Kris Draper. He’s the most complete player that ever existed. He’s my 1a on every team I draft.

[@ronin84]

Yeah, I became a Detroit fan around 94-95. Absolutely agree, Dats took Larionov's hockey sense and IQ, and Fedorov's agility and explosiveness, with that tenacity to backcheck like Drapes and Yzerman did before him. Was such a blast to watch that class "grow up" and be successful in the post-Yzerman era.

[@georgegerswin6297]

I lost interest in hockey when Yzerman retired 😕😪

[@boundarysentinel4181]

Most rounded and best player in the modern era no question (1990 and forward) IMO best 2way player ever.

[@chevelle1]

Yzerman had a huge influence on Pav as well. He had 4 seasons with him. Both the euro twins have credited Stevie for a lot of their success.

[@mitsanut5869]

Absolutely agree. Smart as a fox. Elegant as an eagle. Tough as nails Simply a grandmaster of the game

[@garyweglarz]

Nice to see Datsyuk get this kind of "respect" video - he sure deserves it. I think you're spot on that he has inspired a whole generation (or two) of younger players to develop puck handling skill sets that just weren't common in the NHL before he came along.

[@wernerheisenberg2296]

I agree, but just say "puck handling skills"..no need for the current tweeny regurge.

[@danglesnipecelly13]

I can’t say enough about Datsyuk. He’s a legend here in Detroit. I met him at an event at joe Louis arena. I shook his hand and got an autograph and picture lol he was polite as hell. Ive watched countless hours of datsyuk playing and watching highlights. He truly was a one of a kind. A very special player. His jersey will be hanged up in the rafters one day.

[@Newbobdole]

Good break down on the feet crossing, I’d never noticed that

[@Mulukkis]

The fact he's a true gentleman of the sport is just like a cherry on top. Just makes him likeable as well as astounding. My favorite Russian player ever, easily.

[@Adam-vs2in]

I’m 42 and watched the wings since I was 14 years old. I never enjoyed watching another player more than Pav. Not only was he a great player but he’s a great person.

[@michaelwoon5242]

One of the best breakdowns of the Pavel Datsyuk Brain. Pavel was the greatest hockey player because he elevated the game with his mind. He saw the space around the defenders in different dimensions. He knew where their sticks could go, and where they couldn't. He knew where their eyes could see, and where they couldn't. He knew where they could hit him, and where they couldn't. He was a biomechanical chess master and was playing the game of hockey at a different level that created a whole new sense of excitement and awe. You showed McDavid doing a copy of Datsyuk. I don't have proof, but I think McDavid was a huge student of Datsyuk, and likely every offensive player will be students of Datsyuk from now on.

[@YAe71]

Beautiful comment 👋

[@sergei6572]

✍👍👍👍

[@statik47]

Amen to that! I couldn't have said it better! 👍

[@tnix80]

Probably the reason I started watching hockey. If more players embraced playing skillfully in North America I'd be a bigger fan of the game.

[@gabeswitala2292]

​@tnix80 Up until the 90s when Buttman became commissioner NHL hockey used to be the greatest spectator sport in the world. Today's version of the game is nearly unwatchable for those who experienced the golden era of the game. That being said Datzyuk wohld have still been "the magician" in any era of NHL hockey. Buttman is a POS. He's an owners commissioner who doesn't care about the game, doesn't care about the players, and most certainly doesn't care about the fans at all. The only reason he probably even cares about the owners is because there're the only ones who have any say who the league commissioner is.

[@statik47]

My absolute favorite player! It's a shame people penalize him for being a complete hockey player. Complete meaning he owned all 3 zones of the rink, not just the offensive zone like other players who shall remain nameless. If Datsyuk was more selfish and only worked hard in the offensive zone (like others...) he would most likely have doubled his numbers or more.

[@marc-antoinemarcoux697]

I never heard someone saying this, he is the greatest russian player ever.

[@evertandersson9499]

#13 & #40 was amazing together

[@L1sarsTort1llars]

Hes my fav playear twoo

[@vilimandrusz174]

Well his style of play helped him win two Cups. To him it was worth it.

[@PK__44]

@@marc-antoinemarcoux697arguably one of the best all-around players to put on skates

[@bradmaguire9611]

Datsyuk had a canoe paddle for a stick, monster hands, and soft touch, no one will ever compare to him, the way he reverse hit people, could deke through a whole team, controlled the tempo of the game whenever he had the puck, and when he had the puck no one sometimes even two players could get it from him. An artist of the highest kind in hockey. There will never be another magic man, he truly was special.

[@janinethomas854]

Watching Datsyuk on the ice was like watching poetry in motion. Stats and points are great, but to a Hockey Fan, to have seen the “greats”, from the time at Olympia Stadium to now, Pavel was pure poetry. Yes, we all know Ovecheckin has the stats… and yes he is a great player…. But the Wings knew that individual stats did not create winning teams. Pavel Datsyuk was like watching Nureyev and Barsinkinov perform ballet in their Prime, he was like our beloved Stevie Y who sacrificed his own career stats for the teams as a whole… I “we” for the “i”. Pavel just had it. The 6th sense and I am lucky that I got to see him skate in many arenas throughout the US… and when I got to see him skate in San Jose, it was like see Mikal Barisnikov perform, jaw dropping, chills , spell bounding greatness that you knew instantly, you were witnessing greatness.

[@nicolelala10]

If I were a GM, and building a team, I would go for a Selke winner as my first pick.

[@LionsOnTheHunt313]

He was the Barry Sanders of Hockey

[@visse3615]

For me he is the goat, others may not agree, but Datsyuk is propably the sole reason i started to watch and play hockey

[@hockeypsychology]

Love that

[@shatrod6000]

if you take stats out of the equation hes the most complete llayer to ever play the game.

[@chizorama]

@@shatrod6000 Gordie Howe has entered the chat...

[@tylerfish6206]

I cried when he retired

[@bozidarborojevic4131]

@@chizorama Datsyuk all day long

[@Hats502]

He was the most fun player to watch, growing up. I always remember that whenever someone was pulling up hockey highlights when hanging out with friends it was always Datsyuk. He was really on another level

[@tylerborglin5215]

Growing up a wings fan he’s always been my favorite player. Didn’t really understand how great he was as a kid, but seeing it more now it’s mind boggling how good he was.

[@kftc1980]

It is a combination of attributes in one player that has never been seen before. Off the charts skills combined with off the charts brains AND work ethic to do all of the little things, and doing it all quietly and sportsmanlike. They called Lidstrom the perfect human, but Datsyuk was also a perfect hockey player, and unlike Lidstrom, he could make your jaw drop and bring you out of your seat.

[@klompsauce]

I had that with Yzerman/Federov( I was 10 in 97) so I was able to appreciate the 2008 team differently and Datsyuk was lights out, glad he played in Detroit

[@marcwright9554]

I’ve watched all the greats from Gordie Howe , Bobby Orr , Wayne and Mario but Pavel Datsyuk has unbelievable skill at high speed both defensively and offensively, split second hockey IQ on the fly, with Gretzky like anticipation. I may never see such a complete player ever again, once in a lifetime type of athletic talent/ ability.

[@marc-etiennemercier6584]

Yea he's kinda like u mix Gretzky, Lemieux, Bergeron and Kane together and make the ultimate player.

[@Kiddingyoumust]

@@marc-etiennemercier6584 let's not get carried away.

[@marc-etiennemercier6584]

@@Kiddingyoumust A little beat of each :P just saying. He does have Kane's hands, Gretzky's anticipation, Lemieux ability to skate through 5 guys an Bergeron's defensive awareness.

[@andrewsurowiec80]

There was also a player poll in the year before he retired asking "who's the hardest player to play against" and the vast majority of players said it was Pavel. He had the best hands ever in the sport. Nobody could, and probably ever will, be able to have hands as good as him

[@saschaganser9671]

Remember Brett Hull: I played with Yzerman, Larianov, Shanahan etc. hall of fame players, but the put me with Datsyuk, and he is the sickest player i hav ever seen. I started playing with age 2, and i have no idea what he did.

[@marc-etiennemercier6584]

Well I'd say McDavid might be the first to have better hands than Datsyuk.

[@josephtremonte1872]

@@marc-etiennemercier6584 mcdavid is faster but I think datsyuk was just so smooth with it

[@tonym2513]

Who you want to ask are the goalies. Trust me, they’re all going to tell you that they were shitting ice cubes when he had the puck in their zone.

[@andrewsurowiec80]

@@marc-etiennemercier6584 possibly. But the level of smoothness Pavel had with it is unmatched

[@doyleismylastname]

THE MAGIC MAN!!! Im so happy I got to grow up watching him play, and to be inspired by him. GO WINGS GO!!! 🐙 🐙 🐙 🐙 13 Forever ❤️

[@bobbyb42]

I grew up in Michigan, played hockey my entire childhood, and am a Wings fan. I'm so glad I got to witness Datsyuk's entire career as I grew up and how it influenced not only the Red Wings franchise, but the NHL as a whole. He is truly irreplaceable, and Wings fans miss him to this day.

[@keldonlemon]

Saddest day as a hockey fan is when this man left for Russia. In my 30 years on this planet and countless hours analyzing/watching hockey - Datsyuk is 100% the best complete player and the smartest to have ever played in this league. He’s unmatched. If he wanted to, could have had double the points easily. I can say that about basically no other hockey player. Legend

[@dmitry756]

💯 % agree mate 👍

[@Connor8609]

Such bullshit

[@user-ym1gg3ui2r]

Вы совершенно правы. Павел суперхокеист. Браво браво браво!!!

[@DansyukianDeke]

His three Selke’s explain why he never reached 100, but one could follow that up with the fact that 97 points (twice) is only a couple dozen points away from 100, so he was close. Another integral tidbit you left out was how hard he worked on and off the ice to achieve his well-rounded points/plus-minus ratio; his work ethic and workout regiment are legendary in the annals of Detroit hockey. Like so many other Michiganders and hockey fans, I miss him everyday.

[@acemodez3169]

Yeah his goal/assist might seem low for his talent level, but his plus minus is definitely worth noting (honestly I don't know it exactly but I know it's good)

[@Torgo1969]

He was a treasure!

[@AC-wl7ve]

97 points is a couple dozen away from 100?

[@DansyukianDeke]

@@AC-wl7ve it was a joke. My point was that the narrator said “in spite of winning Selke’s” (I’m paraphrasing) “he never had a 100 point season”, and not only does that explain why someone wouldn’t get 100 points, but wait a second, he basically DID have a 100 points, with freaking 97, AND he was the best and most responsible defensive forward in the game.

[@nothing2see315]

There were less 100pt players during his playing career in general tho

[@chief3619]

I think most people who’ve been watching hockey for a very long time hold Datsyuk in very high regard among the very best to have ever played. There was a reason he earned his nick name.

[@dkoze]

The best hockey player of all time, stats be damned. I coach hockey skills and this dude is the goat, literally every move we teach he created.

[@johnnyp8051]

As a life long Detroit wings fan for 40 years now I can definitely say dats was a magician and would make look twice every single game and wonder how he did that.. what a treat it was. Truly once in a life time player

[@nein62]

As someone only single-digits behind you as a wings fan who grew up with the Russian 5 (still have my Kozlov autograph by my Howe one), I agree completely. Babcock's style wasn't for me but Datsyuk kept me going through it. I'm so excited to see how the team develops, this is the first season in a while where I feel like I'm watching the Red Wings

[@SerasXHarkonnen]

Just today Nick Suzuki pulled off a Datsyukian move in the shootout, the fact that immediately the commentators called it out as a Datsyuk inspired move just shows how prominent Datsyuk really was.

[@thomasvarady1210]

I watched that game & validate that Datsyukian comment.

[@lesevesel2898]

Just no other player was more anticipated on the ice than Pasha. So glad as a Red Wings fan to have seen this man's brilliance throughout his whole career.

[@Alexandros.Mograine]

He changed how hockey is played in the NHL, that is why there can never be a player like him, because the game isnt the same. Its like in the early 90s where players like Teemu Selänne could literally just outspeed any defenseman. it changed how defenseman played the game.

[@DickLongFlop14]

Datsyuk was the player I always wanted to be when I played hockey growing up. He was the reason I liked to toe drag and learned to flip picks up over the D’s sticks. I even did the fake shot back toe drag on breakaways

[@androiduberalles]

He got me into watching the wings. I'm just glad we have Seider, it feels like the first time I've seen someone as naturally talented as Datsyuk.

[@gunnnervader7396]

Seider? Seriously? Hes good but he is no where near what Pavel was and is!

[@user-du1qy6if6k]

Спасибо брат за видео и слова!Слёзы от красоты игры нашего парня.

[@edwinrivera5695]

Truly a beautiful, wonderful player. Those are the words which come to mind. So much talent and skill. What a joy to watch! Miss him dearly!

[@darrencochran5876]

I’m from rural NC. We don’t have hockey here and I’d never watched it. When I was a kid one of my friends moved to NC from Michigan and he was a Redwings fan. He showed me Datsyuk and the Redwings and I fell in love with hockey. 🔥🔥

[@the-cursid-one1552]

Still my all time favorite player! Was the greatest thing to watch even when he wasn't scoring.

[@KyprosEc]

Datsyuk really was one of the best in the NHL...definitely top 10 for like 12 years in a row. Sublime skating and stick skills. And he could Play both ends with the best. He was the main man in Detroit for at least 7 to 10 years

[@jeffblaginess812]

I think Pavel is so good that If i had a choice between McDavid or any other top player today I'd still pick Datsyuk because he added excitement every game. He always blew my mind. I still cant believe he retired. I'm still somewhat depressed by his absence because very few players are like him, even in today's faster game and with more talented players. Lol

[@thefamilymans2545]

this is one if not the best vid on him. I agree with everything you said. you even covered his play without the puck, which is just as important as him with it. thank you so much. this is the vid I will recommend to anyone who isn't familiar with him. great job! well represented. yes, I think his overall play puts him in the top. a true team player!

[@kylemayer8486]

The best thing is how defeated he left defenders and goalies. They didn't even look mad, just broken.

[@JustinSmith-kt8oo]

My favorite part of these Datsuk highlights is the look from the opposing goalies after. You can almost see their reactions through the mask. "I'm not even mad...did you see that! What was I supposed to do?"

[@Skumtomten1]

Being humiliated by Datsyuk is an honor

[@300avg]

I can’t see anybody in my lifetime ever having a better stick lift than Datsyuk. There are some players now that can compare to his creativity, but that stick lift was one of a kind

[@Yupthereitism]

No lol

[@300avg]

@@Yupthereitism no to what?

[@kftc1980]

Stone is the closest I have seen. He is a less fancy poor man’s Datsyuk.

[@300avg]

@@kftc1980 that’s a solid comparison. Mechanically he’s very similar, but Datsyuk just had that sixth sense when it came to creating chances off of his takeaways. It was a sight to behold

[@waingro5834]

Forsberg

[@rileyjackfansmithandjones8238]

Grew up in Pittsburgh, and LOVED Lemieux.....played Hockey since I was 12. Became an adult, played Hockey til I was 43, and moved to Detroit in 2000. Pavel Datsyuk just Dazzled Me.......He truly was the MagicMan. If I had to try and Win or Tie a game , on the road, and I had Gretzky and Datsyuk on the Bench.......and we were shorthanded......I'd go with Pavel......Gretzky wasn't as good on breakaways......Pavel could stick handle in a phonebooth,and cash in when you had to have a goal. I witnessed it over his whole career, and I miss him......always will.

[@VarjoPira]

Hockey IQ is the _ingredient_ that makes a player _entertaining_ to watch. There really is no bigger flex. Datsyuk had this in spades.

[@kftc1980]

I kind of agree. That is why I appreciated Lidstrom so much, he always made the right play, like a machine. But there is something to be said for flair that goes beyond IQ, which would be a big difference between those two players. You really have to understand hockey to appreciate Lidstrom. Datsyuk could bring a small child or a 90 year old out of their seat with the things he would do, things people had never seen before. On top of that, yes Datsyuk would also make the great subtle hockey plays like a Lidstrom. One of a kind player with attributes you just don’t find in one player.

[@jimsaunders4136]

I think that the reason Pavel is viewed as "smart " is because he learned from the Master himself, Igor Larinov. Those stacked we had here in Detroit, I never took my eyes off Larinov, especially in person.

[@dmitry756]

Good point. 👍

[@tnix80]

If he'd played his career in the NHL he'd be on par with Gretzky

[@nunobarbosa3981]

He's my 2nd favorite player of all time behind Steve Yzerman. Love my Red Wings

[@klompsauce]

Same, 19 has my heart but the Magic Man was special

[@eightequalsequalsdee]

@@klompsauce me three

[@seanwalters1977]

He doesn't have the stats to top the all-time scorers but he was by far the best 2 way player to ever play. Nobody comes close.

[@Athestial]

Yeah, I think the reason is because he just wanted to be the best all around player. I think it was ken daniels who said that if my memory serves me correct

[@saschaganser9671]

The thing about Dats was: He could shut down every other player in the league, while still being an offensive threat that no one could stop. He made elite D men look like pylons. Couture, Josi and others, legends themselfs in the league looked like childs. I`ve never seen a better 2-way forward, nor has anyone else. His skating, his mind, his hands, his work ethics - all of it was top notch. And while MCD amasses point after point and is ahead nowadays, you still know that he can`t defend like Datsyuk, he doesn`t steal the puck like Dats and he`s nowhere near being as iconig as the magic man was. #13 was the best player of his period.

[@dmitry756]

Very good point. 🤝👏

[@markplouhar430]

I loved how he could just skate by any scrum in a corner and come away with the puck. He'd tap a guy's leg on one side and skate away on the other. His 97 pts and a Selke is one of the greatest seasons in history.

[@JoeSmith-ey2xp]

Every game he did something you didn't think was possible. My 2nd favorite Red Wing of all time.

[@theother1s220]

Who’s your first? Yzerman?

[@JoeSmith-ey2xp]

@@theother1s220 yeah, because Yzerman took the weight of an entire city on his back and got the cup finally after 50 years of failure.

[@molonlabe5090]

I remember being in like 8th grade on my schools B team. Me and my buddy were carpooling to a game later that day, so we hung out at his place and just sat and watched a couple games he had recorded. I remember watching Datsyuk pull that signature deke and just sitting there in awe, Shit blew my little 13yo mind.

[@McMelly410]

As a die hard sj sharks fan, watching him deke 3-4 players back to back to back to back is one of the most iconic and ultimate displays of puck handling and control I've ever seen

[@Fenix-bt1kh]

Speaking of that one of my most favorite memories of him was when he broke Cotures ankles

[@johnnymcpherson8493]

Pavel deserves to be in the Hockey Hall of Fame for sure!

[@user-gr1th3uw1t]

Lifetime Wings fan, Dats was truly a special player. The original 'Datsyukian Deke' is my all time favorite move, I've pulled it off a few times on the ice, always gets an insane reaction.

[@danielm4114]

Great video on one of the most exciting players to watch all time- seemed like Pavel would do something at least once a game that would make your head spin. The little back up move around four minutes that causes two defenders to crash into each other and tumble to the ice? It's like a Stooges routine- you can practically hear the slide whistle. Thanks for putting together this quick analysis.

[@hockeypsychology]

Thanks for watching!

[@MI_TurkeySlayer]

I miss having him on the wings. We need someone like him back on the team. Even if we weren't winning, it was so exciting watching him force turn-overs and being in aw over some of his unbelievable goals.

[@NewMatildaDotCom]

Great vid, as always. Love Ovi, but Datsyuk remains the player I most would have liked to see play live (tough call when you live in Australia!). Just a genuine creative genius.

[@templetonbob]

He was the most creative entertaining player to ever play. He did things that would break my brain and make hockey somehow not look like hockey. He’s one of the best and was extremely effective in all areas.

[@updem]

Great video. I had the pleasure of being a wings fan able to watch his entire career, including several times in person. He was truly the magic man. Great in the community as well.

[@irafair3015]

They don't say: "That was Datsyukian!" for nothing.

[@thecount1001]

you've made the case and demonstrated it. i think he's the best. freaking genius is what he was. the wizard.

[@hockeypsychology]

The magician… thanks for watching!

[@Military__fanatic]

So grateful I watched him throughout his whole career. Such a talented player.

[@mattlozinski1700]

datstyuk and zetterberg where the perfect stars for detroit. Highly skilled and exciting to watch, but also hardworking and not ego driven. The perfect guys to fill the hole players like yzerman and fedorov left

[@timbos8392]

During Pavel's first year with the Red Wings, he became favorite player. Later in his career, my young son and I got to watch team warmups from the penalty box. This was just before he perfected his one of kind move where he would bounce the puck off the toe of his inside skate while he's turning on the ice. So, during that pregame, we watched him practicing that move hundreds n hundreds of times. Since nobody had seen that move in a game before, I assumed it was just some practice move he used for developing hand/eye or something. But then he showed it in the 2nd period in the offensive zone where he came out of the left corner, got a pass and did a loop out near the red line and heading towards the right corner. He was bouncing the puck off his left toe the whole time with the defender staying with him. Finally, near the right circle, the defender committed to reaching for the toe tip and Pavel immediately darted around him and went 15' out from the goal and fired a backhand past a defenseman and a Wing in front and found net. The JLA went nuts and it's something I'll never forget.

[@chizorama]

Datsyuk was a throwback Soviet player in his era, to see how he made it work at a time when hockey became more systematic was special, & deserves respect for that. I would rank him only behind Tretiak, Kharlamov, Fetisov & Bure, in a fight between him, Ovi & Makarov for next. So hard to pick the best Russian players because a lot didn't play in the NHL, or did later in their careers after the Soviet Union collapsed.

[@hockeypsychology]

Interesting…. I only heard how good those Soviet players were in the 70s, you may have a case

[@KyleMacSkill]

I respect your opinion but I dunno about that Ovi is a top ten player all time you can’t really place those who only played overseas ahead of him because the competition in Russia was and never will be as good as the NHL. Bure was phenomenal but prime ovi was the 2nd best player in the league behind only Sid in the late 2000s.

[@chizorama]

@@KyleMacSkill They didn't play only overseas, they played plenty in North America, against NHL teams, NHL all star teams & national teams. Them vs team Canada in the 70's & 80's was arguably some of the best hockey ever seen.

[@brodyhess5553]

@@KyleMacSkill think the point of the video was datsyuk was better at that point and using the argument of the actual nhl player polls saying he’s the best in the vast majority of categories

[@zacharyliles8657]

Fedorov???

[@disgruntledgrunt241]

Probably the greatest privilege of being a Wings fan was following his play for so many games throughout his career. His IQ and ability to see multiple steps ahead of the play made him an anomaly. His hands made him the greatest puck handler that has ever played the game.

[@jollygreen68]

This is so great to see such an in depth video breaking down the absolute genius that was Pavel "The Magic Man" Datsyuk. Points don't matter when you're talking about the greatest players of all time. I'd put Datsyuk in the top 5 ALL TIME greatest players. Top 10 at the absolute lowest. And that's not even counting his offensive skills and genius. He's one of the best in that regard. I'm just talking about one of THE BEST PLAYERS EVER to play the game! Hands down. It's not an exaggeration to say that Pavel Datsyuk was THE MOST intelligent player to ever play the game and one of the most skilled. He was a Genius and like many others have said, WAY ahead of his time. He is the most copied player in today's NHL game and there is a reason for that. I liken Datsyuk to Jimi Hendrix. Maybe didn't have the longest career, maybe didn't have the most points/albums, but EVERYONE can agree, they are two of the most amazing and genius people in their field, that were light years ahead of everyone else, and still relevant today! Mario Lemieux is another player I'd put in this exact same category. Doesn't have the most points, didn't have the longest career, but without a doubt, one of the best most complete and skilled players EVER to play hockey. A large portion of the players that have the most NHL points are nowhere close to the talent, intelligence and skill that someone like Datsyuk or Lemieux possessed. They just played forever, usually for 21-26 seasons and were usually on good to the very best teams. And most played in the glory days of the NHL. The 50s-90's, when goals grew on trees. Datsyuk on the other hand played half of his career in the WORST era of scoring for the NHL ever! For over 15 years during the mid 90s-2010's, the NHL was an absolute joke. Grabbing, hooking, slashing, tripping, checking from behind, holding, non stop fighting, neutral zone traps, non stop pinning players on the board, insanely huge goalie pads, etc etc. It was the worst years of the NHL and the worst time to be an offensive player. Plus, we all know that offense was not Pavel's focus. It was being a team player. Being the most helpful player to his team. Can you imagine how many points he would have had, if he had the mindset that most of today's top players have? Of mostly focusing on scoring and offense?!?! And played 20 or more years. I'm 100% certain he could have been one of the NHL's top points scorers of all time. No doubt in anyone's mind. I miss watching Datysuk play more than any other player in my entire life! It's not even close. There are lots of other players I've loved, that were insanely skilled or amazing players. I miss watching them so much. Today's NHL players just don't do it for me. There is something missing. I can't quite put my finger on it. But there was just something magical about watching Datsyuk play, that nobody else could do, and nobody else can do even today. At live games or on TV, every time he came on the ice, I'd just watch him the entire shift, nobody else. I wanted to learn how he was so good. I wanted to see what "THE BEST PLAYER" did. It was mesmerizing to see how he reacted and handled situations all over the ice. NOBODY is that smart. It was like watching someone that already knew what was going to happen, a split second before it happened. He made every single play into a fun little game or challenge and was just as much an expert on defense and off the puck, as he was with the puck. I LOVE that this video shows and goes into just a few of his myriad of genius skills/plays in the defensive or neutral zone. Most videos just show his god like offensive skills, but it's everything else about his game that made him head and shoulders above everyone else, and made me realize back then, he might be the best player to ever have played the game. Having extra special spidey senses, able to "feel" players coming, able to almost seem like he has vision in the back of his head (because of his staggering hockey intelligence and anticipation). Getting players to check themselves. Using sick/dirty little moves to get around forecheckers or neutral zone players. His incredible back checking ability. His lighting quick reflexes to work his way through the entire team on his way to the goal. His unparalleled ability to steal pucks off of players. His genius ability to set a player up to be able to lift their stick at the precise moment, in order to regain control of the puck on the boards. It was literally a clinic every time he was on the ice, and I'm not really sure we will ever see someone with that level of intelligence, creativity and offensive skill that is also possibly one of the best two way forwards, ever again. Pavel's second nickname should be Tal, as in Mikhail Tal, the most genius, creative, game changing, most influential chess player that has ever lived. Both Russian (well, Tal was actually Latvian), both light years ahead of their time in their fields, both the most creative/intelligent people in their field, and both are considered literal wizards. And the most influential people in their fields ever! I chose #13 for my jersey number while playing hockey as a youth and adult because of Pavel. Everyone said it was bad luck, that it was stupid number, but to me, it meant I was wearing the number of my favorite player and the most amazing person to ever play hockey. I felt like superman wearing that jersey number. And relished in the fact that nobody wanted it and thought it was a dumb number. And as others have stated, him being such a soft spoken, kind, incredible guy didn't hurt either. In this day and age of loud mouth, over celebrating, cocky, vain athletes, Pavel always stood out to me as different. I wanted to be like him. I wanted to score a ridiculous goal, or make a badass reverse check on some idiot trying to take me out, then act like I've done it all the time. Like it's no big deal. Because, if you were that good, it wouldn't be a big deal, haha. The guy was a God and I miss watching him SO much! My little nephew got into hockey because I played hockey. And he's probably going to be way better than I was. He's been playing since he was 6! And EVERY TIME I visit, I always sit down for at least 5-10 mins and show him videos of Datsyuk and tell him: "Now watch this guy and how he plays. Not just his offensive ability. Pay attention to how smart he is, see how he stole that puck, see how he hustled his a$$ off back down the ice to back check, see how he smart he is in figuring out ways to get the puck out of the defensive zone." All he cares about is McDavid and all his crazy goals. And it's SOOO great to tell him: "buddy, you know who taught McDavid and MacKinnon all those sick moves and crazy ways to score goals?! Pavel Datsyuk, so pay attention!" hahaha Every single time I watch a game and some super star pulls off some incredible move, anywhere on the ice, that is brilliant and intelligent and creative, I say, Wow, great Datsyuk move guy! I wish Datsyuk was still playing! We miss you soo much Pavel and you will always be my favorite hockey player. And one of my favorite athletes ever! As the quote goes, "Speak softly, but carry a big stick." That was Pavel in a nutshell.

[@mathewsidor1506]

First player I ever saw that played the puck off the back of the net, essentially passing it back to himself! Amazing

[@brucegemmell730]

Xcellent comment, in basketball they track steals, and it should be tracked in hockey, as 13 was unparalleled at it.

[@hockeypsychology]

The best of the best

[@xlr0gd205]

Isn't steals in hockey called "takeaways"?

[@JP-dm6gi]

Datsyuk was unique and ahead of his time in manyways, I mean he made such a direct impact to the game. Before Datsyuk you didn't really see any toedragging used to extent, same goes fo reverse checking. Looking at the best two-way forwards today, can't help but to see all kinds of Datsyukian techniques being utilized. Aho and Barkov are great examples of the prototypcal Datsyukian discipline, and both of them are the backbone and the soul of their respectice teams. They don't only make their linemates better, it trickles down to the whole team in the way everyone is committed.

[@briandeborja]

When you’ve got players like Patrice Bergeron and Sidney Crosby singing his praises and speaking repeatedly about the ways he inspired them across all 200 ft of ice…you are a special, generational, and a transcendental player. They are 2 of the greatest players of the last 20 years & Both are players that joined the league not long after Datsyuk did. Yet…his impact was so immediate and overwhelming that he left his mark on them and other players that were growing into their own in the league at the same time he was as well.

[@acemodez3169]

I watched and fell in love with Yzerman's play, then came along Pavel... I really have a tough time picking the favorite, but the insane skill level department is hands down Datsyuk (I mean they both pop up in my suggestive text)

[@danielpetrucci8952]

Paval could of put up 100 point seasons conistancy but in a interview when asked about the topic he stated that he wanted to be the best all around player both offensively and defensively Paval Datsyuk was a two-way playmaking forward who had quick pick yoink and tape to tape passing and he can sinpe it if he wanted to

[@joeyamorini8382]

Same thing with Yzerman, calmed down his scoring and sold out on D to win.

[@timfarney5165]

He was my favorite EVER,or at the very least the 1-b to Stevie Y's 1-a, and I caught on quite early just how brilliant he was. His spatial awareness has to be considered the best ever. The breakdown you did with this video showing and explaining the nuanced things he did throughout his entire game illustrated things very, very well. I was fortunate enough to live in Michigan and enjoy his entire career.

[@ArsiniC11]

loved how you included the move where he puts the puck to his skate, and kicks it up. Move is so underrated, and he did it exceptionally well

[@stevenelson1456]

The best and most creative I've seen, and I've watched a lot of hockey.

[@ulrichsuter3548]

What a magician?! Pretty much the full package and simply an outstanding hockey player in many ways so much ahead of his time. I am certain he benefited from a certain single-mindedness and multi-sports talent. Single-mindedness because sports was all he had in Sverdlovsk and having soccer in his childhood most likely helped him to develop an understanding of space and timing in a way that really helped him play games and tricks with the opponent players. He was one of the few who understood that tempo (not outright speed) is an important issue and taking out speed is sometimes the best option. One must almost feel bad for the opponent players. Yet, he also benefited from different rule enforcement. The steal against Josi would today be called a slash (he hit Josi's glove) and there is no such thing as a reverse hit since only the puck-carrying player is subject to be hit. But great to see how much grit he brought to the ice - glad to have seen him playing in person! Definitely a bucket list must-see player...

[@jeffbenedict8926]

As a Kings fan, I loved to watch Pavel. He was so much fun to watch and to watch him just undress players was just amazing

[@mikeweber1302]

I remember watching the epic turco juke the night it happened. Pavel really was ahead of his time and one of the main reasons I enjoyed watching the wings so much in the early 2000's.

[@1stKills]

My favorite player of all time changed the game for me

[@kimanthoni6377]

He was Fantastic!! Cheers from Finland.

[@oasisraj840]

My favourite player of all time. Miss him

[@fromulus]

Pavel Datsyuk was my favorite NHLer for a number of years, and I'm a life-long Bruins fan.

[@SNoCappidona]

any time i see someone on the 3rd-4th line trying to stick handle into the zone and make a dumb play i say "wtf; does he think he's Pavel Datsyuk?!"

[@TheCherryPitt777]

Datsyuk was a true trailblazer for hockey players today

[@rapz85]

A true standout headlining two incredible Red Wings Championship rosters packed with hockey legends. as a Detroit fan across the sports board, those were the days... ....Back in good ol 08/09, a period of time for Michigan sports that taught me to appreciate good years when they happen. a feeling I unfortunately couldn't possibly truly appreciate until witnessing the statewide Detroit Sporting Decline of 08/09... Red Wings started the painful transition from Cup Champs to unsuccessful obscurity, the Pistons won their last playoff series after disbanding the second coming of the 'Bad Boys', the Wolverines hired Rich 'WhatT.F.F." Rodriguez, the Lions went 0-16, and the Tigers finished dead last in their division.

[@TheGraham27]

It was an absolute joy, watching him play.

[@nathanmartin2592]

As a Stars fan, this guy is still my favorite player. Such creativity and poise, hopefully we see a modern day player innovate the way he did.

[@WhyDidYoutubeDoThis]

I am blessed to have watched the Yzerman era and also the Datsyuk era. So many greats as a kid watching the Wings... we were definitely spoiled for some time.

[@detroitrockcity8]

Great video. I grew up with the Wings and when Pavel made his debut, you just knew he was truly one of one. We still marvel at his highlights and pure, amazing IQ. Just when we thought we saw everything, he would pull out something new to keep you on your toes. 100% the best 2-way and all situational player of all time. He could have been a crazy goal scorer but he enjoyed the team concept so much that he knew he could score in space and even without the puck. Now that’s next level dangerous. Also, you have to be a sick SOB to have the NHL add a new statistical category because you’re embarrassing fore checkers and dmen with the dirtiest thievery of all time. #13HOF

[@user-gj9lb5pq1m]

Командная игра - это концепция советского хоккея. В СССР было много великих игроков, намного сильнее Гретцки и ему подобных, но все они играли на команду, ибо побеждает команда. Харламов, Фирсов, Мальцев, Якушев, Викулов, Альметов, Александров, Локтев и другие были Дацюками своего времени. Скотти Боумен понял это и создал русскую пятерку.

[@hosersupreme]

It was an honor and privilege to watch him play in Detroit his entire NHL career - and we were very lucky to have him. Similar to Barry Sanders, the stats and record books fail to capture the work of a true genius and artist at work. Pavel Datsyuk changed the way NHL hockey is played today and inspired an entire generation of creative and skilled players in his wake

[@keldonlemon]

Wish this never ended. I’ve seen everything on Pável.

[@Survivalist-of-war]

Miss Datsyuk everyday. Greatest player I've ever ever seen play the game.

[@jamiegustkey2573]

This was a must video even in ‘22 and beyond, for generations to learn from and to keep on the forefront always, who the best player to ever play in the NHL is. Hands down. Zero room for opinions on the matter. Thank you for this-👏🏻

[@AGEN7_47]

Can’t argue with that. Pavel did show the “followers” how skilled you can be. He was the most dominant player at that time and I enjoyed watching every game he played in NHL 💙

[@standardyeepz]

i was going to make a youtube channel just to make this video. no longer needed . great job.

[@demoadra4661]

Awesome vid, well explained with evidence and very informative. Great argument put forward here, great job!

[@user-oo9bl2zj5w]

This dude was the Barry Sanders of the NHL. He made seasoned defensemen look like armatures. The way he handled the puck was like watching a magic trick because opponents would be standing there wondering "where the hell did it go ?" and "How did he do that ?". When Datsyuk was on the ice you didn't wanna blink because you could miss something truly amazing.

[@Mattribute]

In the 90s my favorite player was Red Wing # 13 Slava Kozlov. When he left he was immediately replaced by #13 Pavel Datsyuk who became my new favorite.

[@RussianNHL]

This video is unbelievable. Thank you!

[@Ja-mbi]

Detroit sports might have had its bad days recently but I remember watching the red wings with zetterburg and Datsyuk go hard as he'll for years. I had the privilege of watching him play live. Favorite player ever

[@AZWings]

6th round pick, 171st overall...you don't see too many like that anymore. It's crazy, too, that people felt he was too small and not strong enough. His work off the ice definitely showed as his career developed, as you highlight with his checking. Truly a unique player. Also, don't forget he won 4 Lady Byng trophies so he did all that while being a clean player. Always loved watching Datsyuk play. Almost every game he'd do something, even if small, that was just like, "how the hell?" One of my favorites of all time. Best Russian? oof. That's a tough one. Ovechkin, Fetisov, Federov, Bure, Mogilny. There are some great ones from Russia, so hard to compare.

[@MrBiteme39]

So To speak on a specific topic you touched on. The way he stole the puck. Being like an assassin if you will, Hossa played with him for one year; And learned a shit ton about this tactic of play apparently. the way they both could forecheck and steal the puck in an instant was unmatched. Wild how good Datsyuk was at teaching while doing and him thinking nothing if it.

[@dracotoy]

Alot of people always mention datsyuks dekes, but its his defensive prowess that made him the player he was. One of the best 200 ft players ever

[@mgtowdadYouTubeSucksCoxks]

I have not watched the video yet. Before I do, I hope that you mention his figure skating background, and soccer background. This guy defines hockey. Gordie Howe hat trick and all.

[@mgtowdadYouTubeSucksCoxks]

@@Vanilla_Rice well I apologize. I wasn't clear. It wasn't that he had a figure skating background. He was too poor to afford hockey skates, so a lot of his youth he played in those more flexible, less supportive skates. I apologize for not speaking clearly in that regard.

[@justinhackney5232]

One of my favorites! The wings baby!!