Thoughts on Datsyuk this year?

[tlinden16]

My team/scoring categories are in the signature.

I've got a goalie+D heavy team, with Malkin/Datsyuk being the elite performers on F. However, I feel like my forwards are a little weak behind them, and particularly would feel more comfortable not having to start Foligno/Dubi and Tarasenko every night.

I find Datsyuk's performance in real life often has others overrating his fantasy value..with his great play in the KHL this season, should I hold onto him? Or look to move him?

[MikeTSchmidt]

I see no problem with moving him, provided you can get a decent return. We are talking about a player who turned 34 years of age this past summer and someone who no longer is a point-per-game player. Don't get me wrong... He's extremely useful (especially when it comes to boosting your team's plus/minus), but don't pass on an opportunity to improve your team.

[27Blue]

datsyuk's elite fantasy days are behind him but he is still a valuable asset.
shop around and see what you can get but don't undersell him.

[KGB920]

what do you suggest he is worth?

[tlinden16]

Originally Posted by KGB920

what do you suggest he is worth?

That's what I've been working on..

I've been looking at something Datsyuk/Backes based. Backes is an multi-cat stud on RW and tends to be underrated due to the low point totels.

[KGB920]

would datsyuk be worth trading for either Hall,Eberle,RNH this year?

[VincentVega]

Originally Posted by KGB920

would datsyuk be worth trading for either Hall,Eberle,RNH this year?

I would trade my Datsyuk for any of those guys. While Datsyuk will likely keep up with them for a couple of years, by the time he starts slipping, it'll be too late. I see Datsyuk at a PPG pace for at least a couple of years more but Hall, Eberle and RNH should match that very soon.

[mister_mcgoo]

honestly if I owned him I wouldn't be dealing him now...he's coming off a weaker year and his relative value is low but if you've ever had the pleasure of watching this guy play live then you know he's one of the most talented in the world, regardless of his age or recent 'decline'. I expect him to rebound this season, I dunno how much cause DET is weaker as a whole than they've been in some time but who knows?

[VincentVega]

Originally Posted by mister_mcgoo

honestly if I owned him I wouldn't be dealing him now...he's coming off a weaker year and his relative value is low but if you've ever had the pleasure of watching this guy play live then you know he's one of the most talented in the world, regardless of his age or recent 'decline'. I expect him to rebound this season, I dunno how much cause DET is weaker as a whole than they've been in some time but who knows?

Totally agree with this. Right now is a bad time to deal him because his value is lowest it's been since 2006. I own him in my salary cap league and am holding on to him as I know I can't get value back.

[mister_mcgoo]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Totally agree with this. Right now is a bad time to deal him because his value is lowest it's been since 2006. I own him in my salary cap league and am holding on to him as I know I can't get value back.

yeah dude, when he's healthy he's about ppg so I can easily see a return to 75-85 pt range this year. I think the thing about him is that he's a quintessential team player, he'll do whatever his coach and teammates need most from him so as long as he's allowed to do his thing on offense freely and he isn't required to play shutdown all the time he'll be fine (mind you he can easily still excel at both but I think from a fantasy perspective we obviously love to see some more offense).

The way I look at it is that I haven't seen a guy who can dangle and juke like Dats in at least a decade, probably more, so my feeling is that if he wanted to he could be selfish and score 100 pts every year, but that's not his game so just factor that in