There will NEVER be another Datsyuk...

Pavel Datsyuk was one of a kind and I was so privileged to watch him play throughout his prime and the playoffs. He was phenomenal at all aspects of Hockey and many NHL'ers agree he was the most gifted and skilled player to ever touch the ice.
#nhl #datsyuk #redwings

[@fromulus]

I'm a Bruins fan and Pavel Datsyuk was my favorite player most of his NHL career. Never seen anything like him before or since.

[@duskopopov77]

Apparently u never saw Bobby Orr

[@youvegottabekiddingme1955]

I don't use the word genius often, only for those who are deserving of that inexplicable label, but Datsyuk was one of those rare few. Every movement he made and every action he committed was calculated; there was a deep intelligence in everything he did on the ice. You could see him analyzing everything during the moment and foreseeing plays before they happened. Watching him play, there is a constant, perpetual inventiveness, a sweeping gaze that analyzes those around him, the direction of the puck, the flow of the play, all so he can make the perfect, right play that's premeditated in three or even four dimensions. Watching Datsyuk, you see the endless depths of the human mind, stretching outward like the horizon and down like the slope of the mountain. "Talent is hitting the target that no one else hit; genius is hitting the target that no one else can see." (Arthur Schopenhauer). There are very few players in the history of hockey to whom that applies, but Datsyuk is one of them, for he changed the way we watch and play the game. Since eras are such a significant signifier of greatness and determine the level of greatness ("Oh, Gretzky was only so good because he played in that high-scoring era!"), look at the eras and the change in hockey's style across the decades. From Gordie Howe to Conner McDavid, the proto-typical "great" hockey player has changed in its definition and perception. Hockey players come and go, and the greatness that once was is shunned for the greatness in the Now. Who were the players in the 80s and 90s who were renowned and thought to be the heralds of a new game? Who were the names of those who all fans thought would be great and the best? Who were those men fans would die by in their excessive defense of the greatness of those men? I bet many of those names are forgotten-or will be in the coming years. No one speaks nowadays about Rocket Richard or Gordie Howe, not really. Those are just "figureheads" for a rougher, less evolved form of hockey, and we are too petty to perceive them as actual titans of the sport, brushing them aside with the arrogance of the casual bandwagon fans. But there were great players before Rocket and Gordie, and what about them? What about their greatness? What about their names? The greatness diminishes in our minds, reduced in favor of the "new" greatness seen in younger, fresher players, and the cycle will never end. But to play to the limits of your era is a transcendent act, and that is why we ardently defend the names of those rarified few who played to the limits of their eras - because maybe one hockey player in an entire generation, if that, is actually capable of playing to the limits of his generation. These players actively defined their eras by revealing the limits of their eras. Gretzky is the best example of that,t and following him is Gordie. But I think Datsyuk is up there. However, I think Datsyuk actually transcends those limits, unlike the others, for his artistic influence is too immense and creative, burning too brightly, to be snuffed out - because that is genius, an imprint eternalized in the sand that Time's waves can never wash away. Gretzky is the most intelligent player to ever play, which will never change, but Datsyuk is absolutely the most creative and artistic. To watch Datsyuk in his prime, at his absolute best during a game, was worth any price - for that is what genius means. I would pay a max limit to watch any other player in his prime at his absolute best, having the game of his life - including Gretzky, Howe, Lemieux, Orr, Lidstrom, Crosby, and McDavid, and that price would probably max out at around $1,000 (I'm a cheap guy, what can I say?) - but for Datsyuk, it's different. I can't conceive a price I wouldn't pay to watch Datsyuk in his prime at his absolute best. To see that level of creativity, artistry, dedication, determination, intelligence, and proactive subtlety is priceless; to see genius work in the moment is mesmerizing. His elite influence on both ends of the ice simultaneously was unparalleled. I watch other hockey players who impact on a shift on one end of the ice, but Datsyuk was the only player I've ever seen who was the most impactful player on the ice on both ends of the ice-on the same shift, time and time again! He never took a shift off. He didn't half-ass some shifts in which he would focus on offense and then do the reverse on the next shift, alternating between his focuses. No, every shift was played with critical attention paid to both ends of the ice, and I've never seen that with another player, specifically at his level. Yes, Patrice Bergeron is an excellent two-player, but he noticeably lacks that intrinsic spark-the genius-that Datsyuk so obviously, brilliantly possesses. You always notice Datsyuk on the ice; you always have one eye glued to him, anticipating the moment you watch a creative act that robs you of your breath and stirs your heart with its artistry. He is like a magnet, attracting your gaze, attention, respect, and awe, for he has that "it" factor that no other hockey player has had in such spades - to my amateur eye, of course. But it is priceless all the same, for you never see that. It takes an exceptional player to do that, and Datsyuk transcends the limits of time and space. Nowadays, people deride Gretzky and Lemieux in favor of Crosby and Ovechkin (or, for a more modern-modern example, McDavid and Matthews), but even fifty years from now, no one can deride a player in favor of Datsyuk for his influence trascendends petty subjectivism. His creativity and artistry are eternal forces that those blessed of us who watched him play live will remember forever and praise until the days we die. There will be another Lemieux (and arguably has been with Lindros and Malkin, albeit not with the long-term impact); there will be another Crosby (and many argue that there already is another Crosby in either MacKinnon or McDavid); there will be another Ovechkin (not in terms of longevity for scoring but the elite impact in the moment, absolutely); and there will be another McDavid. But like Gretzky, there will never be another Datsyuk, not the quantified, conceived whole of him who was exceptional and profound at all levels of the game, lacking any weak area.

[@UltraTitanzz]

I’m not reading that essay 😂

[@youvegottabekiddingme1955]

@@UltraTitanzz Your loss

[@nguoibantotnhat]

Wow, great analysis of the Magic Man game 👍🏻

[@konstantinkazakov2066]

Приезжай в Россию, брат! К сожалению, политики окутали нас дерьмом. Но хоккей это объединяющий вымпел в эпоху раздора.

[@beenis9842]

yeah that's the thing he had air force level reaction time, incredible skill, but combined with a savant's mind for hockey. he could beat people mentally on the micro and macro level of the game

[@byfirebepurged_930]

I firmly believe Datsyuk is one of the most skilled players ever. He didn't have the crazy numbers so he gets overlooked sometimes, but my god, his deception, vision and wizardry were second to none.

[@kylemayer8486]

He also played offense second from day one of his career. He's the polar opposite of ovechkin.

[@thefamilymans2545]

I love your remark, " only player to be amazing EVERY shift"" i agree 1000%

[@johnvongas1561]

This is exactly how I feel about Datsyuk. Born and raised in Montreal, needless to say, I grew up playing hockey from age 3. I’ve never seen a player like this. I’m 50 now.

[@davepett6531]

Brett Hull summed it up when he said where does a guy learn to do this stuff my dad is Bobby Hull and I have never seen moves like he does regularly

[@mikeleetorris]

most skilled player ever! most complete player ive ever seen in my life! Pavel Datsyuk

[@youarepredictable]

Pavel Datsyuk is THE best stick handler to ever play the game. Hands down.

[@Michael-fw5ef]

Gen Z Hockey Fan: But could Datsyuk play in today's NHL? The players are so skilled today, much better than before, right?

[@youarepredictable]

@@Michael-fw5ef Datsyuk played in today's NHL. A few years isn't a generational change...

[@Michael-fw5ef]

@@youarepredictable He stopped playing 8 years ago, in 2015-2016. It is now 2023-2024. A few years isn't 8 years. Give 2024 hockey players the sticks and skates and medicine from the 1970s and give all the 1970s players the modern sticks and skates and medicine and watch who is better.

[@youarepredictable]

@@Michael-fw5ef Easy....the modern players .. no question

[@Michael-fw5ef]

@@youarepredictable 1990s hockey is better than today's hockey. The hitting in the 1990s was harder, more frequent and better. The players were tougher. The only difference today is the stick tech is better so players can snap pucks harder without even taking a slap shot. Overall though, skill level has gone way down since the 1990s. Who is better today than Federov or Forsberg?

[@chemicalbrother7613]

It is hard to add anything new after so many well-deserved praises, but my amateur feeling of Datsyuk's game is one of something extremely relaxed and flowing. I honestly doubt one can acquire that. He is a natural unique talent, an artist rather than an athlete.

[@HonoluluBlue81]

There have only been a handful of athletes I’ve watched in my life that gave you jaw dropping plays every game. Barry Sanders was one. Pavel Datsyuk was another. I feel bad for anyone who didn’t get a chance to see Datsyuk play. He was special.

[@pasquinitec]

Agree with this video. The most dynamic player EVER! I truly Miss Datsyuk.

[@Pfsif]

There's a little bit of Pavel in a lot of young players today.

[@user-uh6tf1iz6d]

Дацюк. Прекрасен.

[@kylemayer8486]

As a wings fan, I always have a pang of sadness when I watch his highlights. Same as barry sanders, I know he was once in a lifetime.

[@icedo1013]

And then you got to watch Lidstrom retire, and then watch Zetterberg retire shortly thereafter. Truly shambolic times for the Detroit Red Wings fanbase.

[@thefamilymans2545]

I share your admiration for Dats ability to play!! He was amazing, all the time. The only reason seeing him on tv might have been better than in person is because of the replays!!; otherwise, he is the most exciting player, and in Person!?, there wasnt anything better. He is the only player, as a wings fan, that when he had the puck, i thought, "we r ok!" Lol His skill away from the puck and his knowledge and vision makes him one of the all time greatest, possibly of all time. A true TEAM playe! No one has played like him before, or since. He had a complete game! Thank you

[@mikerossiter8762]

This is spot on. There will never be another Datsyuk. He was so unique and is definitely one of the best players in history. He’s my favorite for sure. I watched every single one of his games and he would just pull of the most ridiculous and insane shit I’ve ever seen. His style was so unique.

[@keenanodonoghue4747]

Favourite player all time no question. Made me fall in love with hockey. The closest play style is probably Nico Hischier. But he’s not even close.

[@Fractalholic]

The "Magic Man"!!!

[@SMG41]

man do I miss him in Detroit. I see all these reaction videos of him and they are great, sure. but I'm glad you highlighted some of his non-scoring moments because it really showcases how absolute genius he was on the ice. when some of the greatest hockey players of all time are saying they don't understand how he does what he does and they "marvel at his skill level" as Brett Hull said, you know this man was a legend. he absolutely needs his number in the rafters in Detroit

[@hunterlindbert2679]

I only saw about 1/3 1/2 his career but so glad I got to watch the Magic Man in action. Such an amazing player. Definitely up there with the greats like Gretzky Howe and some of the other greats regardless of his lack of 100 point seasons

[@stevenshaw6959]

Got to watch Datsyuk all the time and he never stopped pulling tricks out of his bag. Even his teammates would go into saying that even in practice they would be in awe.

[@areasonableguy7240]

Thank you for this

[@briscoehockeytraining]

Thanks for watcing!

[@olegmishin5892]

1.51 This trick with the collision with the players of Dalas is only in your video, the same moment with the players of the San Jose Sharks has been seen by everyone. For three months now I have been watching everything that You Tube offers about Datsyuk. Special thanks for this rare shot.

[@markplouhar430]

Brendan Morrow nailed Jere Lehtinen. Jere was knocked out of the game after that too I believe. Morrow was a heat seeking missile that series.

[@mikepetro9679]

right and how often do you see 2 players collide hard trying to hit or at least get the puck like it happened vs Dats..awesome

[@olegmishin5892]

@@mikepetro9679 This year I watched a lot of Stanley Cup matches (because of Ovechkin). Will Gretzky catch up or not? Of course, there are players and individual episodes of skill, but no one can show such magic as Datsyuk.

[@MikeGarland22]

I agree! top 10 ever to wear the winged wheel sweater

[@justplainbrad7713]

@MikeGarland22 Can you name, just one player, who was/is, better than Pavel Datsyuk?

[@MikeGarland22]

He's 7th all-time in scoring for the Wings but definitely was the most fun to watch! @@justplainbrad7713

[@andrejm8]

Datsyuk - No 1 in hockey

[@pasquinitec]

the Newton of Hockey!

[@marcderoo7471]

The Red Wings Datsyuk games I missed I can count on 1 hand. It was incredible. There were long streaks of games where he did not make any mistakes at his position. It was insane.

[@zeynaddinoglu2015]

Genius, with high hockey IQ

[@AC-wl7ve]

he was basically the roger federer of hockey. every movement was pure art and gracefulness. skill at absolute highest level.

[@fromulus]

4:00 cerebral is the word you're looking for. It wasn't just that he saw the whole rink, thought several moves in advance based on what he saw, but he also knew what everyone else was going to do too, at least it seems that way. He knew how to move to make other players do certain things that he could exploit.

[@mattcastellanos2178]

Detroit's my team and when they brought Russians in force it changed hockey. He was the crown jewel, initially he wanted to play pro soccer, and you look at his foot work and see it. In Russian junior hockey he'd drill with weights of a broom stick to build hand/forearm strength, and you look at his wrist shot and see it. The guy saw all the angles, pushed 6'2" 220 lb guys off pucks. He was a gift to the RedWings, miss him.

[@user-ms2ys8bq6y]

Yes what you say makes sense because as a kid --70's -- my Dad introduced me to the Brazilian style of Football which was highly skilled and a "thing of beauty" to the eyes. My Dad also introduced me to the Russian style of hockey. The Russians took the hockey manual and applied football and basketball skill tactics and training to it. That's why we see cycling tipped shots and passes unit play break outs as a unit playing off wing and dummy runs and dolphin passes today. Datsyuk stamped his own autograph to it. Hockey should be like Jasper and Banff--rugged beauty. For anything in life stepping away helps one think outside the box. You never know what unique skill application or thought process can be applied to your particular endeavor. It is like refreshing the eyes and mind.

[@icedo1013]

The first game featuring the Russian Five saw the Calgary Flames held to 8 shots *the* *entire* *game.* Truly enlightened stuff from the scouting staff of the early-mid 80's.

[@icykiwi6650]

Datsyuk combined skillful movements with incredible awareness of his surroundings

[@TheBIGBEAR812]

It's the evolution of the Russian Player. I remember Alexander Mogilny and Pavel Bure. Then there was Fedorov who was amazing to watch but generally considered "soft" because he didn't play the North American game of contact well. Most Russians in the 80's and 90's had that reputation of shying away from contact or outright hating it.I look at Ovechkin today and think "Fedorov" with a mean streak. I agree with everything you said on Datsyuk. The guy is in the top echelon of the Russian Players who've come over to the NHL. And he may be the best Russian to ever play in the NHL.

[@HughHarding46]

"Most Russians in the 80's and 90's had that reputation of shying away from contact or outright hating it" - except Konstantinov

[@konstantinkazakov2066]

Ваша проблема, как зрителей НХЛ в том, что вас приучили к рубке, в то время, как советская школа воспитывает катание, мысль и чувство локтя в моменте. Ваша лига сегодня стремится именно туда, как ни парадоксально. Потому что хоккей, это искусство и командная работа.

[@icedo1013]

I'd like to append that comparison and say "If fedorov traded his defensive prowess for a mean streak"

[@ericanderson6864]

One of the best to do it, he is a legend

[@g4y0rgy]

Best Defensive Center in NHL history

[@icedo1013]

I would have loved to be an editor for the "script" of this video. I've lived my entire life in southeast Michigan, and having been born 2 weeks before Darren McCarty blew the roof off the Joe to break a 42 year cup drought I like to say I was born a Red Wings fan; #13 has always been a clear favorite player of mine. It is my contention that there not only *will* never be another player like Datsyuk, but there *can* be no other player like Datsyuk in modern hockey. Datsyuk's deception (a word I feel like you were looking for often) and the way he exploited the weakness of defensive coverage was second to none and his success changed the way defensive theory was taught. Skating techniques and positioning that favor flexible reactive movement over pure man to man tracking, keeping tight control over the body of the attacker (see Moritz Seider's defensive plays 1 on 1 against McDavid) and the pure speed of the game all evolved more or less as answers to the uncheckable style of hockey that Datsyuk brought with him every night. It was a strict honor to not only witness him play in real time, but in person as well. Thank you for this tribute, it's always a treat to see the appreciation for this Red Wings legend continue to propagate through time. On a side note, I got to play a game of pickup floor hockey with him during one of the Hockeyfests the Joe used to host. He came walking up with his 3-4 security detail in tow to get in line for the next 10 minute game and it just so happened my brother and I were next in line among several other kids. Before he gets in I picked up the nearest sharpie I could find, ran over to him, and I don't even remember saying a single word to him as I stick out the marker, drop the marker in front of my hockey hero (top 3 embarrassing moment of my life btw), and then watch in stupefied awe as he reaches down to grab the marker and sign the back of my winter classic #13 Datsyuk jersey before his guards tell everyone that he wasn't there to sign autographs. I ended up being on the team he chose and acted as his left defensive partner while the younger kids chased the ball to score. My brother got to be on the other team and at a few points was hip to hip with him fighting for the ball along the boards. I'll never forget, the ball came up in the air right to Datsyuk, so he reached out to grab the ball and pretended to throw it down the rink, directing everybody's attention to the other end only for him to drop the ball and start stickhandling away from traffic. He had all of us fooled! Pavel Datsyuk is an incredible, unparalleled icon to the sport of hockey as a collective whole and is directly responsible for some of my most fondly held memories. I have neither the time nor lexical ammunition to say all the great things there is to say about #13.

[@lekcindr]

Maybe the most complete and highly skilled player all time. As others have said here, every movement he made on the ice was the optimal one and he was dominant in every facet of the game.

[@zenonelealainen3750]

A lot like Larionov, but better. A far better stickhandler than Larionov and a bit better in everything else except in the playmaking and passing which goes very even. For a long time Datsyuk was an underrated player. I think it took until around 2006-2007 before he was generally seen as a one of the best of that time.

[@nealk6387]

Pavel was worth the price of admission alone.

[@happylostsouls3327]

Peter Forsberg was one of my favorites to watch his vision was incredible too

[@miketietsort5184]

1st one I ever saw shoot the puck between his legs, and he did it at full speed, to change the angle. Tender made great save but it was a high quality chance. Also what is lost by many who did not see him when he was in the NHL was his play when the other Team had the puck, great 200 ft player (3X Selke winner for a reason). Very high on my favorite player of all time list. Also rag-dolled 6'3" Corry Perry when Perry instigated with the 5'11", 4X Lady Byng winner. Datsyuk-Perry, and Potvin-Hextal are two of my all time favorite non fighter, fights.

[@matturibe5256]

Nominated six times for a selke he should have won it everytime he was nominated.

[@icedo1013]

I'm pretty sure that was in the WCQF Game 7 against the Phoenix(!) Coyotes of '09. Tendie made the save on the shot, but Darren Helm bolted into the open slot to fire the puck into a gaping maw of a net to go up 2-1. He did it in a *playoff game* almost 15 years ago to the day.

[@ctduke2658]

Datsyuk is without question the greatest hockey player to ever put on skates!!! Everything you said in the video is well stated and we will never witness another player like Pav. He had no weaknesses and unfortunately he doesn’t get the credit he deserves from main stream media as he didn’t put up the points he could’ve. Datsyuk could’ve easily put up 130-150 points a season but played both ways and being the best all around player was most important to him. That’s why he is a winner and respected amongst his peers as the best player!! I miss watching him so much!!!

[@doug900S]

He has such a great hockey sense! It was believe that had he come back to NHL He wanted to be on the Red Wings, but I believe he’s retired now.

[@user-ms2ys8bq6y]

Datsyuk is a marvel and a wonder. Real football and basketball tactics on skates. I see a lot of Makarov in his edge work skating and attack style. Reading some of the comments. Your eyes will tell you. Yes he was poetry in motion. Fluid and smooth in his movements no wasted energy yet tough as nails. Hockey should be like Jasper and Banff--rugged beauty.

[@Dino-xh6xs]

Who knows, if we get enough datsyk fans he could com back, i man he did in 2014. He is a Great player but not most people know About him.

[@briscoehockeytraining]

If only he was younger 😔

[@fromulus]

He's getting too old, probably. Idk I can't really ever count that dude out. Even when he's 50 he'd still be able to outsmart everyone on the ice.

[@leonidas7281]

ABSOLUTELY AGREE

[@user-hi9rz5qg5k]

👍👍👍 Лучше всех

[@olegmishin5892]

This is surprising, but if it were not for the draft, Datsyuk would have remained useless in Russia as well. Nobody ever knew about him. He was not invited to the central clubs; he did not play for the national team then. And then the case and Datsyuk became a member of the Golden Club (Stanley Cup + Olympics + World Championship) and there are only 30 such players in the world today

[@user-ss9xl3lo3g]

Не reminds me Ronaldinho...)

[@tombarr949]

Yes, Ronaldinho but also from the other kind of football, Barry Sanders. If you don't know him, search for him on KZbin.

[@user-ms2ys8bq6y]

Yes what you say makes sense because as a kid --70's -- my Dad introduced me to the Brazilian style of Football which was highly skilled and a "thing of beauty" to the eyes. My Dad also introduced me to the Russian style of hockey. The Russians took the hockey manual and applied football and basketball skill tactics and training to it. That's why we see cycling tipped shots and passes unit play break outs as a unit playing off wing and dummy runs and dolphin passes today. Datsyuk stamped his own autograph to it. Hockey should be like Jasper and Banff--rugged beauty. For anything in life stepping away helps one think outside the box. You never know what unique skill application or thought process can be applied to your particular endeavor. It is like refreshing the eyes and mind.

[@bigboyflubbins]

I'm a Crosby fan, but one of my favorite Datsyuk moments was when he made Sid lose his balance in Game 6 2009 near the end of the 1st period

[@djphlange]

His defensive stick was just as skilled as his famous goals. He didn't try to make the 1-2 move play but knew that most defense I'm the league trained for that so adding in another move or a 4th would throw off goalies and players not ready for it

[@andrewmaxfieldrealestate-b9088]

Yes!!! You identified a trait that I've never quite understood, but it is "Disguising movement" Jordan does it in a profound way as well. Great great stuff!

[@icedo1013]

Deception. Datsyuk's games are literal masterclasses in the art of making your opponent think you're going to do one thing and then immediately switching it up and doing something you weren't even prepared for in the first place to make it that much more effective.

[@MiK3Y13]

Mcdavid and Dri are the new modern era of these two offensively. But these two were kings in the D zone too!

[@FirelordTwinkyz]

The soul reason I loved Detroit

[@olegmishin5892]

You can always watch how Datsyuk plays and always listen to how an American commentator comments on his game

[@noahbiehler3181]

Draisaitl is similar to Datsyuk in some ways. Slow, patient. Unbelievably skilled but not in the way of a McDavid, Mackinnon, Hughes, etc where they blow down the ice at max speed. They make NHL players look like children at an outdoor pond with the way they subtly slip the puck into areas where it can't be reached, protect the puck unreasonably well, lift a stick and take the puck away with ease. If you loved Datsyuk watch some Draisaitl film.

[@user-mv1ru2tr6q]

Какой Драйзатль😂. И рядом не стоял а плане отбора и владения клюшкой!

[@thefamilymans2545]

I dont know if others have noticed, but his stance is consistent; 2 hands on the stick all the time, 3 point contact, all the time. It is almost rare to see him play 1 handed for more than one stride!!

[@icedo1013]

Unless he's at center ice in the middle of pulling the puck from section 217 in between his legs to take a 1-0 lead in the 3rd period against a non-particular Original Six foe in game 1 of the ECQF ;)

[@Yochillitsthatserious]

Cerebral was the word you were working for I feel like, but perceptive is true too of course. You totally get it man, every shift was brilliant. Greatest hockey player for my money too. If a young player wants to be Datsyuk like you’re right it starts with the patience and the patience comes from confidence in one’s puck control ability. His hands and his skill with the puck set his mind free to be calm and poised.

[@Yochillitsthatserious]

You also see this with Patrick Kane and Kucherov. Players with the best stick handling get to slow the game down. Opportunities in hockey from creating space and time, you either do that through being faster than every one like mcdavid and Mackinnon, or you can do that by being so poised that you slow the game down. Every player’s mind and reaction timing is set to the speed of the game. Space gets created when you change that pace abruptly. Datsyuk would hold things to the last millisecond creating dilemmas for opposing players and goalies.

[@Gr8erdetfan]

No question connor mcdavid is insane. But when it comes to puck handling and creativity, there will never be another datsyuky! He is the secretariat of the hockey world!

[@justplainbrad7713]

Briscoe Hockey Training Love your video, and only wish to correct one thing. You said, "it came easy to him", and that is nowhere close to actuality. While other have put much time into practice, for that was an obsession to them, as it was for Pavel...he was the result of many, many, many hours of testing, trial & error, attempting the unreal, until it became reality, and near perfection. He had another asset = being naturally gifted, and possessed a brain that could concentrate on perfecting his play, and was not involved in much, other than hockey. Gordie Howe was similar in practice, in the non-normal things he repeated in practice. Like switching wings, and drawing the goalie out the net, and from the left-circle, flip the puck so high, it looked like it would carry over the net...when it would drop behind the goalie, and in the net. He did it twice in one-game, vs Mike Palmateer/Leafs. That move, plus many more, were the result of knowledge, and experimentation, after hours on end, of extreme practice. Of course, the natural skill was also there for Howe too. If Gordie were born in this era, with the great instruction, and training, coaching, skates/equipment available, he'd have been even better than he was. The result of physical, and mental strength. He started with files tied to boots/catalogues for shin-pads. Other than that, you are spot on! There are quite a few gifted players, but Howe, Datsyuk, were among the rarest talents ever seen, and I was privileged to see both, on my Wings. [Sawchuk, Pronovost, Yzerman, Lidström, were other Wings, we were honored to see...sadly, I have to leave others off, as it would take too much space, to name all] [Jean Beliveau, Bobby's Orr & Hull, Luigi Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky, have to be added, because they were also on the same level - again, there are more that could be named]

[@duskopopov77]

Apparently this guy who's doing the commentary never watched Bobby Orr!

[@The-Dom]

You would have loved to witness Mario, no need for "in his prime", because he was the greatest every second of his career.

[@isthatujeebus]

His hands and skates might not have moved at 100mph but his brain was moving at the speed of light. As for wanting to play like him? Don't. You either have it or you don't and if you don't you'll get knocked on your butt every time. There are lots of hockey skills that can be learnt and taught and picked up, but pulling the kind of moves he could requires something beyond that.

[@icedo1013]

I always always always felt like Valtteri Filppula tried so hard to do the kind of things Datsyuk did when he was a Red Wing the first time. He was coughing up pucks like that every game. It frustrated the heck outta 14 year old me lol.

[@user-dg3zz1nv7k]

This is what is called "soft power". He was as good at it as a cat.

[@seeker156]

DATSYUKIAN DEKE!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Nixonbutcher]

Datsyuk Kucherov Kovalev.

[@masterlegacy1]

Nope Datysuk was a magician. Ask Siri who is the magic man. Not sure it still works but it did

[@johnnyraven4217]

He deserves to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Redwings should retire his jersey.

[@mlc3136]

If he scored goals like Crosby, Ovechkin, or Gretzky, then we wouldn't need to make videos like this to hype him up to the kids born after 2000.. The kids that were born after 2,000 only care about flash and not style.. Pavel's style was Defense first, and once he touched the puck, his offense was to find his teammates like Brett Hull, his rookie year, and set his line mates up where they wanted the puck in certain areas giving them the best opportunity to put the puck in the net.. I think Brett Hull said it best "He doesn't speak English, but he is the sickest player I've ever seen in my life," and his father is Bobby Hull lol.. .

[@hockeyfan131993]

How can I see the game like him you asked... you can't LOL His upbringing had a big part of it - he talks about playing in Russia poor at community ice areas and there would always be a ton of people and only one (or very few) pucks and from a young age always had to learn how to keep the puck from people. His innate ability to keep it and steal it are deep rooted in how he grew up playing the game recreationally.

[@this-is-not-a-channel-]

is he the best Russian-born player then?

[@Michael-fw5ef]

Gen Zer says: Datsyuk couldn't even play in today's NHL because today's players are so advanced.

[@LeoI-California]

For your info. Some russian players (including datsyuk) were using my private lessons, trickshots, some other techniques, where I expect compensation for that, Still I hear nothing. I lived there, in Ural, but from 1991 I live in the USA.