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Red Wings Nearly Traded Pavel Datsyuk for a Surprising Player

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Julien Trekker
July 18, 2023  (10:38)
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Datsyuk was Almost Traded.

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An interesting report by NHL Breakers revealed that a blockbuster trade between the Devils and the Red Wings was canceled at the last minute back in 2007. It involved two of the great players of that time: Scott Gomez and Pavel Datsyuk.

"In 2007, when the Red Wings and Pavel Datsyuk were in contract disputes and struggling to reach an agreement on a new contract, they offered him to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Scott Gomez, one for one.

Lou Lamoriello (of the Devils) declined the trade."

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Gomez for Datsyuk?!

It didn't sound so crazy back then.

Datsyuk was 28 years old at the time and had scored 87 points in 79 games. He eventually went on to sign a seven-year deal in Detroit.

Gomez, 26, had 60 points in 72 games.

Instead of moving to Detroit, he joined the Rangers for two seasons, then the Canadiens for three more, where he really hit the lowest point of his career.

Today, it sounds a bit absurd, considering how Gomez's performances seriously dropped in the next years and the lasting impact Datsyuk created in Detroit.

Lamoriello probably blamed himself for a long time after he refused, and Gomez joined the Rangers!

As seen on Markerzone - Red Wings Nearly Traded Pavel Datsyuk for a Surprising Player

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Red Wings Nearly Traded Pavel Datsyuk for a Surprising Player

Back in 2007, would you have traded Gomez for Datsyuk?

Yes8544.7 %
No10555.3 %
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