tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14559994.post112595500133891156..comments2023-12-10T18:22:17.977-05:00Comments on red and black hockey: Pavel Datsyuk has lost his mindd-leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15772585727501344436noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14559994.post-1126108618879716402005-09-07T11:56:00.000-04:002005-09-07T11:56:00.000-04:00While I agree the comparison to Thonton is a huge ...While I agree the comparison to Thonton is a huge stretch, let's see, Datsyuk in last three seasons +22, Heatly last three seasons, - 35. Pavel is simply far more skilled than Heatley, in whose vocabulary the term backcheck doesn't exsist. Datsyuk was easily Russia's best player in the world championships last year, and virtually every scouting report I've seen had him n the top five in Europe last year.<BR/><BR/>And remember how I said this situation with the Russian players was going to get worse... the Detroit News is reporting today that Ilya Kolvachuk is about to sign a deal to remain in Russia. And Henrik Zetterberg is on the verge of signing a $2.5 mil contract to play in the Swedish Elite League. About the only person who can be happy about this is Don Cherry, who thinks only Canadians should be allowed to play in the NHL.<BR/><BR/>Truth is, loosing these young stars hurts the credability of the NHL, as well as the quality of the on ice product.<BR/><BR/>Oh yeah, and did I mention Pavel would be a fool to turn down $6 mil tax free?greatwhitebearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08448430897774991335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14559994.post-1125969910677765592005-09-05T21:25:00.000-04:002005-09-05T21:25:00.000-04:00I think you made your case pretty well, without st...I think you made your case pretty well, without stooping to characterizations like "all Russian players are selfish and lazy". I tend to see that kind of stuff a lot. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by my blog, by the way.Brushbackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14439601217855895036noreply@blogger.com