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Detroit Red Wings’ Pavel Datsyuk is closer to return from injury

By Darrell Samuels

Nov 26, 2014; The Wings, MI, USA; The Wings Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) skates on the ice in the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2014; The Wings, MI, USA; The Wings Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) skates on the ice in the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Superstar Pavel Datsyuk could return to the Detroit Red Wings Friday night against the San Jose Sharks.

The Detroit Red Wings have started the 2015-16 campaign without many hiccups over the past month. They have won eight of their first 15 contests and currently are tied with 17 points with the Ottawa Senators and the New Jersey Devils.

The Red Wings are preparing themselves for a home date on Friday against the San Jose Sharks. They will come together for a practice on Thursday in preparation for a big game the following night.

Word had leaked out about the Detroit Red Wings via NHL.com,  that one player that is inching closer to returning to the lineup is the big Russian Pavel Datsyuk and could be a skater in that Thursday practice. At the age of 37, Datsyuk has yet to find himself playing a regular season game as he has been recovering from ruptured tendons in his right ankle and trying to get his health back to 100%.

If, and when, he returns against the Sharks, head coach Jeff Blashill let it be known that the organization envisions him playing on the same line as teammate Henrik Zetterberg and rookie sensation Dylan Larkin.

In Datsyuk’s playing career in Michigan with the Red Wings he has been, more or less, a point a game player scoring 869 points in 887 regular season games. Over the past two seasons, he has put up a combined 102 points over 108 contests. However, questions could be developing about Datsyuk’s future, after his latest injury stint. He has yet to play a game during this hockey season.

His career started in Detroit during the 2001-02 campaign and his best point producing seasons were consecutive years scoring 97 points during the 2007-08 campaign and the following year.

The Detroit Red Wings have a history of being very cautious when it comes to bringing prospects onto the roster and this situation is no different. Datsyuk has been an integral part of the organization and, as much as he wants to get back into the lineup to help his teammates, the Red Wings will probably wait until he is fully at 100%.

He will be a welcome addition to the roster.

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