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Wings' Datsyuk knows what he wants for Christmas |
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Pavel Datsyuk shattered the glass at Joe Louis Arena during Monday’s morning skate for the Detroit Red Wings’ game against the Buffalo Sabres and that left the veteran center a little bit concerned.
“I’m not paying for this glass,” Datsyuk joked.
Detroit coach Jeff Blashill wasn’t surprised that Datsyuk’s shot possessed the power to break the arena glass.
“Yeah, I think his shot is way more deceptive than maybe what it looks at times,” Blashill said. “He’s got an unbelievably quick release once he decides to release the puck. And it’s harder than it looks for sure.”
Breaking the glass was a laughing matter for Datsyuk. Breaking through this season has proven to be an entirely different story for Detroit’s Magic Man, and that’s what’s really his cause for concern.
Datsyuk, 37, who missed the first 15 games of the season after undergoing ankle surgery in the summer, has just four assists in his last eight games and figures he’s still not all the way back to the player he was prior to his operation.
“I feel good now,” Datsyuk said. “It’s more … in the beginning it’s a little bit tougher, everybody fast. Now it’s just keeping pace with everybody, but it’s still missing something.
“I need to find it. I’m not finding it. Something missing.”
As to exactly what that missing element might be, Datsyuk isn’t certain.
“I can’t say anything,” Datsyuk said. “I can’t find it. Something missing. I feel it. I’m missing something.”
Blashill doesn’t think that Datsyuk exhibits any evidence that advancing age is an issue.
“Honestly, I don’t see it at all,” Blashill said. “I was here four years ago, he looks every bit as good as he was four years ago. He might not feel that. You’ll have to ask him. But I think he looks every bit, every bit as good as he was four years ago.”
Datsyuk is equally as certain that the problem has nothing to do with his current linemates, Brad Richards and Darren Helm.
“They have everything,” Datsyuk said. “Brad makes plays. Helm has speed. I’m between.
“I know what I need, choose one side.”
His coach believes that Datsyuk maybe is being a little hard on himself.
“I think Pavel’s been playing really well,” Blashill said. “He’s created lots of chances for both himself and that line. Richie’s had tons of shots on net.
“I think Pavel’s doing a great job. I think he’ll continue to point more as he continues with the good possession that he’s had.”
Datsyuk has bounced back to full speed from past ailments and he remains confident that he’ll find his way back to the player he used to be yet again. And if he needs help acquiring the missing item, ’tis the season to ask the jolly fat man for a gift.
“For sure,” Datsyuk said. “I find it. I need time. I think something’s coming, someone’s bringing something.
“Santa Claus.”
Milestone Man
Detroit defenseman Mike Green will play the 600th game of his NHL career when he takes his first shift Monday against the Sabres.
“You always hope that you can accomplish that,” Green said. “I think we all just hope to play one game so I'm definitely honored and privileged here to able to play tonight in my 600th.”
The Wings will go with the same lineup, defensive pairings and line combinations that they utilized Friday against the New Jersey Devils. The only change will see Petr Mrazek starting in goal instead of Jimmy Howard.
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