“We knew in rookie camp that he was going to be a player, but we didn’t know he’d play as well as he has. He’s a great stick handler.”
—Hall of Famer Scotty Bowman

"The way he plays, he fits on the team because he’s a smart player. He knows how to play the puck-possession game.”
—All-Star Igor Lirianov

“He wants to win the Stanley Cup this year and then another 10 times.”
—Teammate Maxim Kuznetsov 

“Pavs is a funny guy, He’ll throw a joke out in English and guys will be clueless what he is talking about. He’ll be laughing to himself and he’ll think he has it and we’ll just nod our heads.”
—Former linemate Boyd Devereaux

"He has more moves and vision still in the bag that we haven’t seen yet.”
—ESPN analyst Darren Pang

"He’s so gifted, so smart, he’s got a great temperament for the game, too.”
—Former All-Star Brett Hull

“He’s a wonderful player.”
—Hull

“I still say he’s the smartest player I’ve ever played with. Pavel sees the game as well as any of the elite players in this league.”
—Hull

"Everything he does is exciting to watch.”
—Former Red Wings coach Dave Lewis

“Some of the things he’s done are truly amazing. Those are not normal skills. Those are way, way up there in the stratosphere, and you shake your just head after he does it. And he does it on a consistent basis. He’s a special player.”
—Panthers GM Rick Dudly

"This game is all about confidence, and right now he’s got it.”
—Former teammate Brendan Shanahan

“Pavel’s biggest strength is his ability to beat people, hold on to the puck and draw people to him.”
—All-time great Steve Yzerman  

“Datsyuk’s moves still dazzle teammates, even those who play on his line.  Pretty much every day he is doing something you don’t think you can do out there.”
—Teammate Tomas Holmstrom  

“When he’s hot, it’s so much fun to play with him because he can do so much on the ice. If you just keep your stick down, you know you’re going to get he puck. You don’t really know how he does it.”
—Holmstrom

“He is as good a player and as dominant player as there is in this league.”
—Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock

“He’s good on faceoffs, good on defense and great on offence.  Who wouldn’t want him on the ice?”
—Babcock

“He’s got great feel, a sixth sense.  Like radar, he knows you’re going to be there.”
—Babcock

“Sports are like a religion in Detroit, and I don’t think those Detroit fans have seen magic like that since … Barry Sanders … all those moves.”
—Veteran goalie Marty Turco

“I don’t know if there is a player stronger on his skates than Pavel.”
—Teammate Nicklas Lidstrom