Pavel Datsyuk's Injury Is Inconvenient, but Not Devastating to Detroit Red Wings

Pavel Datsyuk is going to miss a maximum of four weeks, according to a report by Helene St. James of USA Today and the Detroit Free Press. The sensational center was injured on a play that involved defenseman Rob Scuderi of the Pittsburgh Penguins at the end of the Wings’ first preseason contest.

The news appears to be devastating when you consider it impacts a player of Datsyuk’s stature and what he has meant to the Red Wings. However, you need to consider a few variables first.

This is a 36-year-old Datsyuk we are talking about and not the same player who razzled and dazzled in the late 2000s. Instead, this is a player who has had some health issues over the last few years, and for that reason, his latest injury isn’t so dire for Detroit.

Are the Wings a better team with Datsyuk in the lineup? Of course, but at this stage of his career, the Red Wings can’t reasonably expect to count on him to be “the guy.” He is one of the team’s top players, but injuries are to be expected at this point.

Last season was a prime example of that, as the Wings pivot was limited to 45 games. Datsyuk was dynamite during those games, as he tallied 37 points, but it was still a down year by his standards.

In those 45 games, Datsyuk averaged 0.82 points per game. That mark was his lowest total since he tallied 0.88 points per game in 2009-10, 0.80 in 2002-03 and 0.50 in 2001-02.

In every other season of his career, Datsyuk has achieved a point-per-game average or just under. In fact, in 824 career games, Datsyuk has 804 points, or a 0.98 points-per-game average.

While the drop is significant, averaging 0.82 points per game is nothing to sneeze at, as it put Datsyuk in company with players such as Max Pacioretty and Marian Hossa. The overreaching point being made is that after watching the last two seasons, no one should be expecting a ton from Datsyuk.

The major issue with him being sidelined last season was that it was concurrent with injuries to both Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen. Both are currently healthy and slated to start the season.

Immediately, that puts the Wings in a better position than they were in at the end of last season, so there shouldn’t be a major drop-off in on-ice play.

When you factor in that the Wings also have a group of returning youngsters who thrived last season, things start to look up in Motown. The only major concern that exists at this point is how Datsyuk will return to the lineup.

The talented Russian has a second-degree separation to his right shoulder. There would be more cause for concern had it been his left shoulder—his shooting shoulder. With some rest and relaxation, the shoulder should heal just fine, and Datsyuk should be able to return with no issue.

It will be an inconvenience for the Red Wings to be without him for the first two weeks of the season, but things could be worse, like when knee inflammation forced Datsyuk out of the lineup last season.

Datsyuk and his knees are feeling fine, and that ultimately will enable the 36-year-old to continue doing some of the things he used to do—albeit on a much smaller scale.

The Red Wings have been a playoff dynasty for the last 23 consecutive seasons, and Datsyuk has been a big part of it for the last 12 years. At this point, Datsyuk is an old classic car whose name carries a ton of recognition and prestige but is continually going in for service.

No one will ever question this enigmatic Russian’s heart and dedication, but at this stage of his career, the “spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” When he does suit up for the Wings this season, he will need to be careful, because the last thing the team wants is him to go down for an extended period in year one of a three-year, $22.5 million extension.

The upcoming weeks will be a bit of a challenge for Detroit, but not nearly as challenging as last season. It may be frustrating for team brass, the coaching staff and fans, but at this point, it isn’t exactly surprising that a veteran player is sidelined with an injury.

The Red Wings will push on without Datsyuk for the interim, and they will take solace in the fact that he is their only major star slated to miss opening night (knocks on wood).

Stats via Hockey-Reference.com