Former New York Rangers star Patrick Kane disrespects Red Wings icon Pavel Datsyuk

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Joshua Deeds
November 8, 2024 (8:05 PM)

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In a surprising turn of events, former Ranger Patrick Kane is a three-time Stanley Cup champion. He played against many legends during his lengthy career in the NHL, including the Red Wings' own Pavel Datsyuk.

Datsyuk arguably had some of the silkiest mitts in the league and was magic on ice when he suited up in the NHL.

With his eventual induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, there's discussion arising again about his capabilities and comparables.

Regrettably, Patrick Kane made the mistake of comparing Auston Matthews, and Pavel Datsyuk.

"I don't know, I guess I could see Auston's game a little bit in his," Kane said after practice Friday. "Maybe Auston's more of a shooter, but as far as playing both ends of the ice and being able to strip guys with the puck and turn it into offense. I think that's where they're pretty similar."

Kane would cede that Datsyuk is unique, and many NHL players don't have the skills he had. Despite this, Kane's comments would spur an onslaught of NHL fans voicing their displeasure with the comparison.

Datsyuk is well known for dominating the 2000s with a Red Wings team that won the Stanley Cup with the team in 2001-2002, and 2007-2008.

Datsyuk won three consecutive Selke Trophies for his two-way play in the NHL from 2008 to 2010.

Auston Matthews hasn't had the same defensive abilities as Datsyuk, and during his career has yet to secure that Trophy in a full NHL season.

He'd be a finalist for the award last season, but Aleksandr Barkov would win it instead. Matthews has prided himself as an offense-first player, and last won the Hart Trophy in 2021-2022. He would spend the 2022-2023 season under Sheldon Keefe attempting to develop his defensive play, but wouldn't develop further than that.

However, Craig Berube compared Datsyuk to Mitch Marner, and I do not really see where he's finding the comparison.

"Mitch does a lot of the same things. Mitch is a real good 200-foot player too," Berube said when asked about who he thinks could fit the Datsyuk bill on Friday. "Kills penalties, anticipates extremely well, has a great stick. All those same qualities that Datsyuk had."

Kane and Datsyuk were rivals in the Central Division. They met often during Kane's first nine years in the NHL and would find each other in the playoffs during the 2009 and 2013 seasons. The rivalry was healthy, as in 2009 the Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks in the Western Conference Finals, and in 2013 the Blackhawks would return the favor.