Detroit Legend Pavel Datsyuk Takes Aim at Red Wings Over One Crucial Issue
Photo credit: Hockey Unplugged
The Detroit Red Wings legend Pavel Datsyuk took a shot at his former team over a critical issue in a recent interview on RG.org.
Dylan Larkin, Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond, and Moritz Seider, the best leaders of the Detroit Red Wings, will be under a lot of pressure entering the crucial 2025-26 season.
Not only will the team celebrate its historic centennial season, players will also be expected to make a massive push to return to the playoffs.
The Wings haven't been able to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the past nine years and will extend that streak to 10 if they fail once again this season.
Rebuilding a team takes time, but according to Red Wings legend Pavel Datsyuk
, the organization lacks something important that could've made things easier: standout leaders.
, the organization lacks something important that could've made things easier: standout leaders.
Pavel Datsyuk Takes A Shot At The Red Wings Leaders In New Interview
Being one of the most storied franchises in the League, getting back to the top after reaching the bottom is a long route, with much higher expectations from fans and management due to the past glorious eras.
Datsyuk believes that even if most teams rebuild in seven years, it may take longer in Detroit for that reason. He added that the Wings lack standout leaders, like a lot of teams in the NHL.
Here's what he said in an interview with RG.org:
"The Red Wings were at the top for a long time, winning many titles, so it's understandable that their rebuild is taking more time than usual,» Datsyuk explains. «They say a rebuild takes about seven years, but since Detroit was so high up, the road back to the top takes even longer. Now Detroit has a great arena, which is already a big plus. Perhaps what the team lacks is standout leaders - but that's true not only for Detroit, it applies to hockey in general. Players are maturing more slowly these days, and some never mature at all, staying teenagers forever."
Can Dylan Larkin's Leadership Rise or Will a Trade for Veteran Bryan Rust Be the Key for Detroit's Comeback?
There are many great players in Detroit, but as we saw at the end of the season, team captain Dylan Larkin showed a lack of maturity when he criticized Steve Yzerman and the management team for not making any moves at the trade deadline to help players push for the playoffs.
Real leaders take the blame when they need to. Unless other players rise up next season, it's hard to disagree with Datsyuk: it could take some more time before seeing the Red Wings back on top.
It'll be interesting to see if a trade between the Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins involving a veteran with leadership like Bryan Rust ends up happening.
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