Updated at 10:57 AM: Pavel Datsyuk isn’t joining the Red Wings’ organization despite skating with the Red Wings’ prospects during Detroit’s development camp.
Datsyuk happened to be in town for an in-person autograph signing at Detroit City Sports, and it coincided with Detroit’s Summer Development Camp cycle, so Datsyuk’s in town to both impart wisdom and learn about skill development as he continues to work with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg to develop hockey talent in his hometown.
This morning, the Free Press’s Helene St. James discusses Datsyuk’s cameo appearance:
“I miss Detroit, and I have hockey player development job back home,” Datsyuk said. “I wanted to see how this goes. I wanted more experience and more study from one of the best teams.”
…
“If I can give them any advice — it’s your favorite job, you choose this job, you need to fall in love with the job,” Datsyuk said. “(That’s) how you can make it farther. And then come every day and enjoy.”
The 45-year-old doesn’t miss playing — “I have no fire in my heart” for that, he said — and coaching isn’t for him, either. But he’s enjoying taking on a role back home in developing young players.
Continued; the Red Wings posted Datsyuk’s press conference on YouTube:
Update: DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills wrote about Datsyuk’s appearance at the Wings’ development camp as well:
Forward prospect Nate Danielson, who was Detroit’s ninth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, said he hopes to learn as much as he can from Datsyuk.
“He’s someone I’ve watched on YouTube,” Danielson said. “Just looking at his stickhandling and some of the things he’s done on the ice, you just think to yourself, ‘I wonder how he does it?’ It’s cool to hear some tips from him and just be around him.”
Datsyuk gave teaching points during Tuesday’s on-ice group sessions, sharing wisdom on skills like puck protection and stickhandling.
Forward prospect Austin Baker said he’s excited Datsyuk will be at the rink this week.
“I got the chance to skate with (Datsyuk) when I was younger at one of his camps,” said Baker, a Macomb, Mich., native and the Red Wings’ 203rd overall selection in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. “Seeing him out there now, he was trying to teach me something out there. That was pretty cool.”
