Aging successfully, Wings' Datsyuk finalist for fifth Lady Byng Trophy
DETROIT -- Four-time Lady Byng Trophy-winner Pavel Datsyuk is a finalist again -- but captain Henrik Zetterberg questions, with a smile, whether he really deserves it.
The Lady Byng, which Datsyuk won each year from 2006-09, is awarded "to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability."
"It's huge honor for me, and I'm happy to be nominated," said Datsyuk, the 37-year-old Russian-born center, "and I congrats to other two nominees."
Former Wings forward Juri Hudler, who led Calgary in scoring and finished eighth overall in the NHL with 31 goals and 76 points, and Los Angeles Kings scoring leader Anze Kopitar are the other two finalists.
Datsyuk, 37, scored 26 goals among 65 points in just 63 games this season, and had just eight penalty minutes despite playing against some of the game's most competent and feared defenders on a nightly basis.
"He's a lot dirtier in practice," Zetterberg said. "If they saw him in practice, he'd never be nominated for the Lady Byng."
Seriously, though, Zetterberg said what Datsyuk continues to accomplish in his remarkable career is inspiring -- and he's earned every accolade in his decorated career. Datsyuk also won the Selke Award as the league's best defensive forward three straight years from 2008-10 -- and it will surprise no one if he's among the three finalists for the award again this season.
Exhibit A: Just watch his performance going head-to-head with sniper Steven Stamkos in this Stanley Cup playoff series with Tampa Bay that continues with Game 4 Thursday (6 p.m. pregame, 7 p.m. face-off on FOX Sports Detroit).
"It's impressive," Zetterberg said. "You look back over the years he's played in this league, he could probably be nominated every year -- and he could probably win it every year. He's a special player, and it's awesome to see. We're all glad that he's nominated. He probably deserves more trophies."
Especially for his defensive work.
"He plays so well both sides of the ice," Zetterberg said, "especially the defensive side -- without taking a lot of penalties."
Coach Mike Babcock agreed, adding: "He's better without the puck than he is with it, if you can imagine that."
But even more important, Zetterberg said, Datsyuk is simply a wonderful teammate who's just fun to be around.
"He's a funny guy," Zetterberg told a throng of reporters after practice Wednesday. "I wish you guys could see more of the stuff that we do. He always comes in with a smile on his face, and he has some good jokes. He's smart, very smart. I think he gets away sometimes with his 'no English' (routine)."
Datsyuk has compiled a Hall of Fame resume since he broke into the NHL in the 2001-02 Stanley Cup season, but back then he was anything but a sure bet, Babcock recalled.
"When I first saw him, they were saying he couldn't play in the playoffs," Babcock said, adding that what has transpired since speaks to the evolution of a player. "In the playoffs, you don't get much space, and when you don't score they say you can't play. It was just a matter of evolving."
Datsyuk said the game has changed rather dramatically over the years, with defenses tightening and players getting bigger and faster each year.
"It's different game," he said. "No room. No cute goals. Every time dirty goals. But it's more fun, more challenging."
That Datsyuk continues to find ways to succeed and thrive motivates everyone he plays with, including the coaching staff.
"Pav's a real team leader, and he leads by example," Babcock said. "He has great thoughts on the game offensively and defensively, and he doesn't mind sharing his opinion with the coach. It's a treat to be around him, to say the least. He's made me a better coach with his vision and how he understands the game and how it should be played. . . It's a real honor to be around him."
The biggest concern the Wings have about Datsyuk -- or at least a growing worry -- is what they would ever do without him.
"The only thing that makes you nervous is if he wasn't here," Babcock said. "Who's taking his spot? I don't know the answer to that question."
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