Pavel Datsyuk signed a 3-year extension with the Detroit Red Wings in June, ensuring that his hockey wizardry will remain in the NHL.

As surprising as Datsyuk can be as a player, his team was equally as surprising last season: Pushing the eventual Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks to a seventh game in the conference semifinals.

We spoke with Datsyuk recently about his future, the Red Wings, his critics, his opponents and how his legacy has even carried over to the iPhone.

Q. The end of the season turned out quite interesting for you.

DATSYUK: “Of course! It was a great feeling to be staying with the Red Wings. The club really wanted to sign the extension. Our wishes were mutual, I really wanted to stay.”

Did the rumors about your alleged departure to the KHL that came up during the playoffs affect you?

“To be honest with you, I didn’t even listen to them. Rumors and rumors. There are always more than enough of them.”

Detroit is quite a young team at the moment, and a lot of people thought that last season you went much further than you should have. Is it a fair assessment?

“Actually this is not quite accurate. Yes, we really do have a young team. And it is true that it was difficult for us to play against higher seeded teams, those that were above us in the standings. But we had a very good chance. And in my opinion our young players showed themselves to be very capable.”

A lot of credit should go to coach Babcock. Does it seem strange that he has never won the Jack Adams Award?

“I don’t know if I should make comments about trophies. But of course a lot of credit must be given to the coach for the way we play. At this time he is one of the best coaches in the League. He has actually always been one of the best. He has a lot of experience. And the fact that he has never won the Adams Trophy? I don’t even know what the criteria is used to select the best coach of the season. But I am certain that he will win it.”

Henrik Zetterberg was named team captain this season. How did he transition to being the captain?

“How? He cut out the letter “C” and stitched it on to his jersey, that’s how.

“But actually he has always been one of the leaders on our team. And that goes to both on and off the ice, in the locker room. This year he demonstrated his leadership again. He is a very good person. He is a friend. I think that appointing him a captain was the right decision by the club. Being a captain is a very big responsibility. He is not yet used to it.”

At 34 you have as many takeaways as Jonathan Toews, who won the Selke Trophy this year. What is the secret of your longevity?

“I think the secret lies in that energy to work that I replenish every summer when I come home to Ekaterinburg, to my country. And from fans who write and say so much. Their feedback is a very strong motivator. There are also family and friends. A lot depends on them too.”

Did you hear about a comment one Canadian expert made that Datsyuk may not be naturally gifted, but is a hard worker?

“Of course I did. And I share that opinion. The more I work and practice, the more talented I get.”

What’s your favorite hockey trick?

“To score a goal.

“No. To give an assist.”

You think that every assist is a trick?

“Maybe not every. But there are so many assists that come out so good that they look like tricks.”

Do you sometimes feel sorry for the opponents you sometimes make look silly? Like Logan Couture for example?

“I don’t look at it this way. I look at it completely different. I deked him that time, but he got better because of it. And because he got better, it is now more difficult for our team to play against him. Our opponents get better and stronger every game.”

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