Wings Re-Sign Datsyuk for 7 Years

slash · Post by **slash** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:30 pm

"DETROIT (AP) -Russian star Pavel Datsyuk signed a seven-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, preventing the center with great hands and dazzling moves from becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer.

"Everyone in the organization wanted him to stay with us," said team owner Mike Ilitch.

Datsyuk, who leads the Wings with 87 points - 27 goals and 60 assists - has gotten better each year since making his debut with the Wings during the 2001-02 season. As a rookie he tallied 11 goals and 24 assists in 70 games and raised the Stanley Cup at season's end. He managed 51 and 68 points the next two seasons, before playing with Moscow Dynamo during 2004-05 when NHL players were locked out.

In 2005-06, Datsyuk recorded 28 goals and 59 assists, but posted a disappointing three assists in a five-game upset loss to Edmonton in the first round of the playoffs.

"This contract was extremely important to me," Datsyuk said. "Especially since I have been a Red Wing since 2001."

General manager Ken Holland said Datsyuk's deal represents the longest contract extension in team history.

"Pavel really wanted to commit here for his career," Holland said.

"In the end we felt very comfortable with a long-term commitment to Pavel," the GM said.

Ilitch singled out longtime captain and current team executive Steve Yzerman for his insistence that the Red Wings' management retain Datsyuk.

"We felt it was extremely important to lock this player up for as long as we can," Yzerman said at an afternoon news conference at Joe Louis Arena.

The Wings lost 3-2 in a shootout Thursday night in Chicago, but clinched their sixth straight Central Division title thanks to the point they earned in the game. Detroit needs one more point to secure its third consecutive Western Conference title and first in the post-Yzerman era."

NHL.com

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I love Dats, but man if he isn't good in the playoffs this year could be bad. I don't know much his contract is know, but it could suck trying to re-sign Bertuzzi now >.<.

jackknife77 · Post by **jackknife77** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:12 pm

7 years is way too long for a contract

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:29 pm

It Depend who's signed.
Brenden Morrow long-term contract is a good thing IMO

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:36 pm

It's $6.7M a year. It is market value, but it's a bit too much for a playoff no-show IMO.

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:47 pm

Systemfel wrote:It's $6.7M a year. It is market value, but it's a bit too much for a playoff no-show IMO.

At least, they kept their best scorer during all his prime.

The Hutch · Post by **The Hutch** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:16 pm

So if you're a goalie in Detroit who doesn't get the job done in the playoffs, you get the axe. But if you're a 27 goal scorer who doesn't get the job done, you get almost 7 million a season.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 2:24 am

The Hutch wrote:So if you're a goalie in Detroit who doesn't get the job done in the playoffs, you get the axe. But if you're a 27 goal scorer who doesn't get the job done, you get almost 7 million a season.

Yeah, doesn't make much sense. I would have been more happy with around $5M, but oh well. At least we got him for 7 years I guess. But jeez, if he starts to stink it up, he might be hard to trade.

Post by **batdad** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 2:54 am

The Wings are putting their confidence behind Datsyuk, and are paying him for potential, not past achevements, so he does not have to worry about all the zillions of people out there who say "Pavel, you suck in the playoffs." It could be either the smartest move ever, or the dumbest move ever. I never have understood this philosophy. Pay the guy when he does it, not in the hopes that he does it.

No room for Todd now IMO in Detroit next year. Wonder where he ends up playing? Unless of course he signs for less than 1 mill.

I really feel that Detroit is making a big mistake putting their faith in Datsyuk. I just don't see this move putting Detroit over the top. IN fact, I see it causing them trouble. Lidstrom should be the #1 payroll guy on that squad. Period...until he retires. A defacto individual cap if you will.
Tis not market value. At all. Datsyuk is not Thornton, Jagr, Iginla, Sakic, Forsberg (when healthy). He is actually closer to being a Sedin than he is to being one of the top guns in the league. OVERPAYED big time. But I understand why. GM's now have to pay for potential instead of past history...because if they don't the player is gone...and nothing is received in return. The biggest thing about the new system that bothers me is the young age for UFA's. That is going to cause problems. Big time.

jackknife77 · Post by **jackknife77** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 3:35 am

Players cant sit as easy than before on their contracts. GM get unpatient fast and they will rebuy the contract of those players. Samsonov and theodore will get their contract rebuy and they will have trouble to find a team next year.

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 3:37 am

jackknife77 wrote:Players cant sit as easy than before on their contracts. GM get unpatient fast and they will rebuy the contract of those players. Samsonov and theodore will get their contract rebuy and they will have trouble to find a team next year.

It's easier to rebuy one year 3 millions worth thant 6 years 40 millions worth

Theodore will play in North American League with Quebec Radio-X

flea · Post by **flea** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 3:21 pm

jackknife77 wrote:Players cant sit as easy than before on their contracts. GM get unpatient fast and they will rebuy the contract of those players. Samsonov and theodore will get their contract rebuy and they will have trouble to find a team next year.

Dont worry jack, they will both play for Boston next year!!!

...u will see!!!

Well, honestly, if they both come for around 1 mill. a year I would be willing to take the risk....but not for more...

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 3:28 pm

flea wrote: Dont worry jack, they will both play for Boston next year!!!
...u will see!!!

Well, honestly, if they both come for around 1 mill. a year I would be willing to take the risk....but not for more...

one year, one million contract, we can see surprising short-term performance
If it can make Boston (or any other team willing to try them) the playoffs next year

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 6:35 pm

I'd take those two on Boston for that kind of money! You can't lose for 1 year $1M.

Kekkonen · Post by **Kekkonen** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 8:16 pm

Is Datsyuk a treat to watch? Sure. Is he a terrific find for a 6th-round pick? You bet. Is he worth over 6 million a season? Not in a million years. Yes, he's going to get 90 points this season. So are a lot of guys who have real post-season records. Datsyuk has 15 points in 42 career NHL play-off games, and 9 in 21 in the three seasons he's been good. His last NHL play-off goal happened five years ago.

He's the kind of guy that always gets overrated because he's so flashy. He's good, but he'll always look better than he is.