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Abel to Yzerman

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Yzerman Rescues Wings Again

by IwoCPO on 04/07/07 at 08:53 AM ET
Comments (2)

It wasn’t his most famous achievement as a Wing.  All his teeth were in and Jon Casey wasn’t involved.  It didn’t precede a failed Statue of Liberty and this time his accomplishment was painless.

In other words, Steve Yzerman earned his money as a hockey exec yesterday.  Was his influence as significant as the mainstreamers are claiming regarding keeping Datsyuk in the fold?  Probably not.  But when the Wings needed a credible voice to convince us that this deal is a good one, they trotted out The Captain.  And he scored again.

Helene St. James/Detroit Free Press

“We’re going to have to go out on the market, and we’re probably going to spend more money on a player that we don’t like as much as Pavel. With these unrestricted free agents coming at a younger age, you really have to be certain and really know your player, and if you believe in him, tie him up. We believe in Pavel.”

It worked on me, and you guys know I was more than a little skeptical of signing a playoff failure to a huge contract.  I felt that Holland should have waited.  Datsyuk puts up 20 postseason points? Pay him.  Disappears again, charley horse or not, take a hard line.

But, as usual, Yzerman swayed me.  Here’s the thing.  The guy has never been a talker.  We know that.  We’ve hung on every word he says for more than twenty years because when he’s spoken, it’s always been for a reason and it’s always carried weight.

The Wings aren’t dumb.  Bringing Yzerman to the management team had to happen when it did.  Ilitch and Holland let Michigan know that they respected what he’d done for the team, and they realized something else, maybe even as early as last summer.  There would be a time, maybe a few times, when decisions were going to be made and met with raised eyebrows from the paying fans.  And who would you rather have explaining those moves?  Jimmy D?  Ken Holland?  Trusted, yes.  But, man, you trot The Captain out there?  Eyebrows down. Credibility intact.  Great signing. Great deal.  Thank god Pavel’s still a Wing.

And the whole Wing PR machine was involved in this one.  Leaks earlier in the week to Khan(!), Chelios on the radio, even Brett Hull helped out.  And the Free Press?  Man, the Ilitch check’s in the mail.  Did you guys see the headline this morning?  “PAYDAY! Ilitch: Yzerman repeatedly said, ‘We’ve got to sign him’ “

Skeptics converted.  Just like that.

But more than PR, more than organizational alibis and credibility, let’s get down to business.  Pavel Datsyuk has never appeared to be the most confident guy in public.  All Star games where he was so frightened he wouldn’t shoot and could barely stay up on two skates.  Interviews that were painful to watch.  Security in the shadows of Zetterberg, Yzerman, Hull. 

So, as much as Steve Yzerman convinced us yesterday that 47 million is a safe investment in Datsyuk?  It was just as much about convincing Datsyuk that the team is his to co-lead.  This statement yesterday? 

Ilitch said Yzerman repeatedly said “we’ve got to sign him, we’ve got to sign him.”

Remember that.  It wasn’t subtle and it wasn’t unintentional. 

Payday for Pavel.  Assist to Yzerman.

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Comments

Stevie’s endorsement coupled with Dats getting the “A” on his sweater last month has got to boost his confidence; right?
And as we’ve learned in the past, our Russian players can be a bit finicky and sensitive.
Got the “vote of confidence” and the payday, now it’s time to step up and take the Wings FAR in the playoffs.
Us fans have gotten used to being able to parade the Red Wings out every time that someone mentions the Lions.  The Tigers and Pistons are great, but the Wings are special.  They are winners while appearing accessible (not that the organization makes that easy) in a sport that you truly have to appreciate to be a fan of in the United States.  Heck, some cities don’t even realize they have an NHL team.

Posted by Andrew on 04/07/07 at 10:39 AM ET

anyone who doesnt understand this deal hasnt been watching pavel.  I mean, you really have to pay close attention to notice.  But this guy, atarting right about after the olympic break last year, is a totally different player then he was 3 years ago (the last time he had anything close to a healthy playoff appearance).  Its all in teh subtleties.  The first time i noticed was a few days after the olumypics.  He was in the corner, a guy was mugging him from behind pavel looked over hi shoulder, looked backed down at the puck, and immediately cracked said player with an elbow right in the chops.  Way to go pavel.  Unfortunately not long after this, he got injured and calgary.. which led us basically to this year.(he could hardly skate against edmonton).

This year, Pavel goes with all weight training in the offseason.. no conditioning.  Like Z(who did the same).  He came back heavier, and as a result slower, more importantly it looked like he lost a step in quickness.  Again like Z he started out slow, adjusted and caught fire.

Heres where the subtle differences are.  Hes stronger now.. it shows.  Hes much harder to knock off the puck, and he doesnt mind giving it back as well although he picks his spots.  As a result hes more agressive.. he wins battles, he backchecks like fedorov in his selke year, hes relentless on and off the puck.  Hes shooting more, hes driving the net more, with the puck, and without the puck, scoring ugly goals.everything about him, is more aggressive.

A few other notes.. hes 7th in the league in faceoffs, 4th in the west(where goals dont come easy) in scoring(behind thornton, sakic, and selanne.), the best +/- in the west, next to lidstrom, and he leads the league in takeaways.  Take away the injuries, or the fact that at times hes been saddled with draper and williams on his wings(draper last year, williams early this year), and hes easily a 100 point guy, both years.

The only thing you can hold against this guy is what he did in the playoffs 3 and 4 years ago, in those 2 years he had 51 and 68 points. the second year he was a -2 player.  That player was smaller, shyed away from contact, relied mostly on brett hull finding space and finishing.  He was passive, and easily nullified.  Now hes bigger, stronger, and far more aggressive, and one of the top players in the game.  Well worth the money, and pavel is going to do big things in the playoffs this year, just watch.  Kenny knew, thats why he didnt wait until after the playoffs and watch the price soar.

Posted by aTTicA on 04/08/07 at 07:18 AM ET

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