What are the odds of the NHL going to Sochi if these players don’t return?

Posted by timbits on 01/08/13 at 09:28 AM ET

If Kovalchuk’s nowhere to be seen the postseason must have started in the KHL.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 01/08/13 at 09:42 AM ET

If Kovalchuk’s nowhere to be seen the postseason must have started in the KHL.

I hope for NJ that he does come back, but if he is playing right now in the KHL then it does not look good for them.  Kind of a raw deal for NJ, but this most likely will not be the only player not returning either.

Posted by gretzky_to_lemieux on 01/08/13 at 09:53 AM ET

They’ve announced an agreement on the new CBA, but are still hammering out language. It hasn’t been ratified, by either side. While I have no doubt that it will be ratified, I wouldn’t blame someone for not getting on a plane until receiving word of an actual training camp start date.

Posted by aqf on 01/08/13 at 10:07 AM ET

Russian Mafia mad him an offer he COULDN’T refuse

Posted by Evilpens on 01/08/13 at 10:14 AM ET

Hate to say it but…one of these days Datsyuk will go over and not come back. How many years does he have left on his contract?

Posted by mrfluffy from A wide spot on I-90 in Montana on 01/08/13 at 10:56 AM ET

Hate to say it but…one of these days Datsyuk will go over and not come back. How many years does he have left on his contract?

He’s 34 and has 2 full years left.  He has maybe 3 years of elite level hockey left in him.  Maybe.

Him going to Russia in 2015 might just save Detroit from making a huge mistake on his next deal.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 01/08/13 at 11:13 AM ET

i’ll take a Datsyuk at half potential vs. someguy at full potential. He’s still Datsyuk.

Posted by NIVO from underpants gnome village on 01/08/13 at 12:24 PM ET

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

Posted by The Hurricane on 01/08/13 at 12:35 PM ET

Those last two comments are exactly what I’m afraid of.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 01/08/13 at 12:55 PM ET

Those last two comments are exactly what I’m afraid of.
Posted by HockeyinHD on 01/08/13 at 12:55 PM ET

What was your opinion if Lidstrom decided to come back for another season?  He wasn’t at the peak of his powers, but he was still our #1D.  Datsyuk is no Pavel Bure, his game doesn’t depend on speed, it’s about his strength, dexterity and his mind.  He doesn’t seem like the type of player who will fade quickly.

Posted by LivinLaVidaLockout on 01/08/13 at 01:08 PM ET

True, but how many wrist injuries has he had the past few years?

And how many times have we seen people hack away at his hands?

Posted by mrfluffy from A wide spot on I-90 in Montana on 01/08/13 at 01:10 PM ET

Datsyuk’s hands aren’t going to get shaky. His speed will eventually suffer, as will the strength of his wrist shot. His reaction and read might taper. But Datsyuk’s strength has always been positioning, timing and stick handling. I believe the forecast of his demise is well overstated. It’s not like he’s a power forward. His game isn’t as age-dependent as some others.

Posted by redxblack from Akron Ohio on 01/08/13 at 01:10 PM ET

So… At best, Datsyuk becomes Larionov.

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 01/08/13 at 03:06 PM ET