On a press run for his upcoming “Magic Game” in his hometown of Yekaterinburg, Russia, Detroit Red Wings legend Pavel Datsyuk made a surprisingly bold claim about his former team in a recent interview with Sergey Demidov of RG Media. Throughout his playing career, Datsyuk was a prototypical hockey player when it came to conversations with the media, making only plain statements if he chose to speak with them, which makes his recent comments seem somewhat out of character.
In the interview, Datsyuk claimed that Detroit’s rebuild is taking longer than normal, given the unprecedented run of success they had from the mid-1990s to the mid-2010s. Either knowingly or unknowingly took a shot at Detroit’s leadership on the ice, saying, “Perhaps what the team lacks is standout leaders – but that’s true not only for Detroit, it applies to hockey in general. Players are maturing more slowly these days, and some never mature at all, staying teenagers forever.”
The comment raises concerns about how effectively Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, and Patrick Kane are guiding the Red Wings in the right direction. This uncertainty may also extend to the next generation of Detroit’s stars, including Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider.
Datsyuk certainly has a leg to stand on when it comes to the leadership required for sustained success at the NHL level. His career began during the 2001-02 season on a Red Wings team that boasted 10 future Hall of Famers at the time, and he was a part of the most recent Detroit team to qualify for the postseason during the 2015-16 season.
Other snapshots:
- According to a team announcement, the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies, affiliate of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, have added to their forward depth with a new signing. The Grizzlies have signed former 2021 fifth-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ty Voit, to a one-year contract for the 2025-26 season. Voit spent last season with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones, scoring eight goals and 37 points in 63 games. He had an impressive final season with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting in 2022-23, scoring 24 goals and 105 points in 67 games with a +16 rating.
- The Boston Bruins’ third-round pick from the 2025 NHL Draft is on the move in the USHL. The USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms announced they have acquired Cooper Simpson from the Tri-City Storm for a collection of players and draft picks earlier today. Simpson scored seven goals and eight points in nine games for the Storm last season and has committed to the University of North Dakota beginning in the 2026-27 NCAA season.
Not trying to knock Datsyuk but it’s a bit easier to lead when you’re trotting out 10 HOFs every night. And while I think there is something in what he’s saying if I’m throwing stones anywhere in Detroit it probably starts at management and not the guys on the ice.
Datsyuk said in the interview that his views on Larkin are dated 10 years from when he played with him. This is a completely fair assessment considering it is well known that Larkin was quite the handful off the ice in his early days in the league. Something that I’m sure Datsyuk and Zetterberg weren’t too happy about.
Compared to other captains in the league, Larkin doesn’t have the emotional maturity.
The Magic Man is spot on, and he’s not just talking about the Red Wings, he’s talking about the entire league.
I agree with this. The kids these days just don’t seem to mature or at least not quickly. But it’s deeper than NHLers I mean kids in society now don’t leave the house until 30 sometimes later if they leave at all…can’t only blame the kids the parents gotta light a fire under their butts instead of handing them everything on a silver platter.
Datsyuk is correct. His point applies more broadly to western culture’s obsession with youth. A growing issue not only in sports, but communities – a lack of responsibility & accountability.