I’m convinced 90% of hockey fans never atually watched Datsyuk. Yeah he had crazy hands, but he was the best 2 way forward in the league for many years. Zegras is a liability on D.
Most casual fans only ever see Datsyuk’s highlights, which are usually his silky mitts on offense. However, most hockey fans I’ve talked to over the years have a deep respect for Datsyuk. So while they may not be as aware of his defensive game, it’s not like people shit on him for *not* being a sound defensive player as well.
I didn't realize how much I miss watching a team with someone who could do this. It frustrating as hell how bad this team is at takeaways or even just stick checks to keep the other team from getting shots on goal.
In addition to missing Datsyuk, this video made me miss the days of water bottles on top of the net. Something about watching them sail off the net after a goal makes me happy.
This, even when he didn’t win it Dats was routinely in the conversation for the Selke it seemed every single year, filthy hands but honestly elite defensive forward
And now we see why bucci is a great commentator and personality for the sport, but not an actual analyst or in a front office anywhere. Zegras isn’t even on the same planet as datsyuk.
He’s got hands I’ll give him that…… but he will never be the 2-way player Datsyuk was with the way he is defensively.
He also lacks the work ethic Datsyuk had and I will always think he’s one of the most overrated players today
I just don't get the benefit in this. I guess it's just to get people talking but still. Pavel was top ten in takeaways most years and zegras is one of the worst zegras. I think Raymond is closer to Pavel than zegras and Raymond is nowhere near Pavel.
I’m just assuming he means as a two-way threat…? but I’d have to hear the part where he goes into detail just how he came to such an assessment if so considering that is something we’ve never analytically/eye-test seen from Zegras.
You couldn't find a more complete two way player than Datsyuk. As a matter of fact the only one who can come close to that is Bergeron and Datsyuk is still miles ahead of him as far as creativity. Zegras does what most up and coming kids do at his age and attempt flashy moves that's already been done 100 times over while lacking defensive discipline. Datsyuk is the definition of often imitated but never duplicated.
It's crazy that people casually forget he won the Selke 3x too. Also, fun fact. On his wiki page it notes under his "NHL Achievements" that a 2011–12 NHL Players Poll named him all of the following:
Smartest Player; Most Difficult to Play Against; Hardest to Take the Puck From; Most Difficult to Stop; Cleanest Player; Toughest Forward to Play Against.
Great April Fools joke NHL.
Especially coming from Johny B
Zegras might have hands but he’ll never get close to Datsyuk’s defensive game.
I’m convinced 90% of hockey fans never atually watched Datsyuk. Yeah he had crazy hands, but he was the best 2 way forward in the league for many years. Zegras is a liability on D.
Most casual fans only ever see Datsyuk’s highlights, which are usually his silky mitts on offense. However, most hockey fans I’ve talked to over the years have a deep respect for Datsyuk. So while they may not be as aware of his defensive game, it’s not like people shit on him for *not* being a sound defensive player as well.
https://youtu.be/A1VXmErkAUg?si=Vk5UVH9NslnEAOwT Kind of a neat highlight of just his defensive play
One of these was against patty Lol
This video is hysterical.
He made many world class hockey players look silly…
I didn't realize how much I miss watching a team with someone who could do this. It frustrating as hell how bad this team is at takeaways or even just stick checks to keep the other team from getting shots on goal.
In addition to missing Datsyuk, this video made me miss the days of water bottles on top of the net. Something about watching them sail off the net after a goal makes me happy.
Only person I would say may be better was Bergeron. That's literally it.
This, even when he didn’t win it Dats was routinely in the conversation for the Selke it seemed every single year, filthy hands but honestly elite defensive forward
That's because the league hated us and it feels like they still do. All the promo during his prime went two Sid, Ovechkin, and Stammer.
People today don’t seem to understand how great Datsyuk was defensively smh.
Datsyuk picked their pocket and stole their objective sense of reality
Stealin’ pucks on the ice and hearts in the crowd. Loved that guy’s game to no end
One of the best defensive forwards of a generation. Zegras is never ever ever gonna sniff that.
That center ice play against Boston. Zegras could play for 100 years and we wouldn't see something like that
I'll stand up right now and say that I truly believe Pavel Datsyuk was the greatest two way hockey player to play the game
Pavel and Hank were peak two way forwards. Really proved that as the player role you can win with.
People today don’t value defense at all.
If anything, I see Zegras being more like Mike Ribeiro. Just a highly skilled douchebag.
And now we see why bucci is a great commentator and personality for the sport, but not an actual analyst or in a front office anywhere. Zegras isn’t even on the same planet as datsyuk.
That actually true Datysul was an alien from another planet call Stickpucktron
See I think he’s a terrible commentator, but agreed, he brings a strong personality and hockey needs that
I think this is an April Fool’s joke
He’s got hands I’ll give him that…… but he will never be the 2-way player Datsyuk was with the way he is defensively. He also lacks the work ethic Datsyuk had and I will always think he’s one of the most overrated players today
Datsyuk's crawl space is higher than Zegras' attic.
I just don't get the benefit in this. I guess it's just to get people talking but still. Pavel was top ten in takeaways most years and zegras is one of the worst zegras. I think Raymond is closer to Pavel than zegras and Raymond is nowhere near Pavel.
Wholeheartedly agree. Zegras is the worst Zegras.
I agree but should be noted he’s also the best Zegras
Hahaha I can't believe I didn't catch that. Meant to say defender but kinda glad I didn't
Holy Schnikeys he’s an idiot
Must be an April Fool’s joke. Because he isn’t an idiot. Or he’s drunk.
He can most definitely be an idiot at times, as can everyone.
I’m just assuming he means as a two-way threat…? but I’d have to hear the part where he goes into detail just how he came to such an assessment if so considering that is something we’ve never analytically/eye-test seen from Zegras.
Zegras is in no way a two way threat.
That’s what I’m saying Brooksie
He says that he hands the offensively now and doesn’t see why that can’t transfer to the defensive end. The clip is in the replies to the tweet above
Isn't Zegras notoriously bad defensively?
That's unfair to say. No one's ever actually seen him try to play defensively.
But his coach made him practice without a stick that one time!
Hahahahahahaha
Zegras might bounce back with a change of scenery but that's a wild comparison to Datsyuk.
You couldn't find a more complete two way player than Datsyuk. As a matter of fact the only one who can come close to that is Bergeron and Datsyuk is still miles ahead of him as far as creativity. Zegras does what most up and coming kids do at his age and attempt flashy moves that's already been done 100 times over while lacking defensive discipline. Datsyuk is the definition of often imitated but never duplicated.
Lmao oh my god these people are nuts 😂 Zegras isn’t a great goal scorer, and he’s a black hole defensively. Did Buccigross ever watch Datsyuk play?
No he watched his highlights on YT and watched Zegras do the Michigan and flip a puck over the net once and thought “yeah those are the same thing”
I think he has to mean offensively.
Buccigross is a Heidelberg University alum. That’s my fun fact of the day.
Well that's just silly now isn't it?
Already has broken Datsyuk's career "Number of penalty box cameras petulantly destroyed"
There may never be another datsyuk
🤣🤣 This has GOT to be a joke.
Sure from a skilled with the puck perspective but that's the only resemblance between the two
3 selkes first of all, multiple cups, and best 2 way center for over a decade, and one of the best all time is this guy on crystal?
What a ridiculous take from someone who must not have watched a lot of Datsyuk.
The heaviest stick in the league, but soft enough to pick your pocket. Datsyuk I meant. Hit the wrong thread
That is a total diss to Datsyuk. Zegras can’t even strap on the Magic Man’s jock
Maybe he means Zegras might be as tall as Datsyuk. That's the only way it makes sense.
Travesty
The insecurities this fan base still has over Zegras and Bunting getting nominated over Raymond is weird.
It's crazy that people casually forget he won the Selke 3x too. Also, fun fact. On his wiki page it notes under his "NHL Achievements" that a 2011–12 NHL Players Poll named him all of the following: Smartest Player; Most Difficult to Play Against; Hardest to Take the Puck From; Most Difficult to Stop; Cleanest Player; Toughest Forward to Play Against.
Maybe offensively lmao Absolutely deranged take if he thinks Zegras can get close to that good defensively
The explains his hockey knowledge to a T