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Pavel Datsyuk was nearly traded from the Red Wings in what would have been a blockbuster deal
Photo credit: https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/red-wings-pavel-datsyuk-named-russian-captain-for-sochi-olympics-1.1640276
Former Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk helped the team win the Stanley Cup twice and is now a Hall of Famer - but he was stunningly almost traded from Detroit!
Former thrilling Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk was one of the most skilled and gifted players ever to suit up in Hockeytown.
Not only was he a key factor in the 2002 Stanley Cup championship in his rookie year, but was known as one of hockey's best players by the time he and the Red Wings lifted the Stanley Cup in 2008; he also helped them to within one game of a repeat the following year.
A 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, Datsyuk spent his entire NHL career with the Red Wings and was recently honored prior to a home game at Little Caesars Arena:
But what if Datsyuk had been moved earlier in his career in what would have been a franchise-altering move for both parties?
According to a 2006 piece from The New York Post, the Red Wings and New Jersey Devils were reportedly having discussions on trading Datsyuk for Scott Gomez, who was also 26 years old at the time.
Trades are rare these days, but when the Red Wings and Devils meet at the Meadowlands this afternoon, New Jersey's Scott Gomez and Pavel Datsyuk of Detroit might keep an eye on each other.
Although it isn't believed to have been seriously discussed, there is at least some recognition that a swap involving those two centers would solve issues for each team.
Although it isn't believed to have been seriously discussed, there is at least some recognition that a swap involving those two centers would solve issues for each team.
The prevailing thought was that Datsyuk may not have returned to the Red Wings after his deal expired in 2007; instead, they eventually inked him to a 7-year deal just before the start of the 2007 postseason.
Datsyuk went on to play several more years with the Red Wings, while Gomez signed a massive contract with the New York Rangers that summer but saw his offensive numbers erode.
Pavel Datsyuk was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
There weren't many people who would have believed that Datsyuk, who was a young, fresh-faced Russian rookie who didn't speak a word of English upon his arrival in North America would go on to have one of the most impactful careers for a Detroit Red Wings forward in the last quarter-century.
Even more ironic was the fact that Datsyuk was trying to make a roster that was filled with 9 future Hall of Famers and led by coach Scotty Bowman.
But by the time Datsyuk's career was over, he was in line to become the 10th Hall of Fame player from that legendary 2001-02 Stanley Cup-winning roster.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 16 | 80 ANSWERS Pavel Datsyuk was nearly traded from the Red Wings in what would have been a blockbuster deal Could the Red Wings have maintained their high level of play had Pavel Datsyuk been traded for Scott Gomez? | ||
| No, he was one of the main keys to their success | 72 | 90 % |
| Yes, Detroit had the talent to continue their run | 8 | 10 % |
| List of polls | ||
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