Admitting that it’s harder to assess things from so far away, Detroit Red Wings legend Pavel Datsyuk believes the long-term success of the team is also the root cause behind the club’s current lengthy skid.

The Red Wings will be entering the 2025-26 NHL season amid a streak of nine successive seasons without a single playoff appearance. As painful as it’s been, Datsyuk believes that it should not be surprising.

Pavel Datsyuk opens up on Detroit’s long rebuild, his No. 13 jersey, NHL fashion changes, and why Leon Draisaitl isn’t in McDavid’s shadow.

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“The Red Wings were at the top for a long time, winning many titles, so it’s understandable that their rebuild is taking more time than usual,” Datsyuk explained to the website rg.org. “They say a rebuild takes about seven years, but since Detroit was so high up, the road back to the top takes even longer. Now Detroit has a great arena, which is already a big plus.

“As a team, they probably just lack confidence.”

Do Red Wings Lack Leadership

Datsyuk also touched upon a topic that both Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman and coach Todd McLellan were discussing at season’s end. Do the Red Wings have enough leadership, or for that matter, the right type of leaders?

Datsyuk seems to think that the team’s braintrust might be on the right track in this instance.

“Perhaps what the team lacks is standout leaders,” Datsyuk said. “But that’s true not only for Detroit, it applies to hockey in general.

“Players are maturing more slowly these days, and some never mature at all, staying teenagers forever.”

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He specifically referenced Detroit captain Dylan Larkin. The two were teammates during the 2015-16 seasom. That was Larkin’s rookie year in the NHL, and Datsyuk’s swan song in the league.

“It’s hard to give advice when I haven’t seen him in 10 years,” Datsyuk said of  Larkin. “I played with him when he was still very young. A lot of time has passed.

“He stands out now, already an experienced and mature player. He understands everything.”

Datsyuk Believes Team Is On Right Course

Though it’s been a bumpy ride, Datsyuk is confident that team management, including his old teammates like Yzerman and vice-president of hockey operations Nicklas Lidstrom, is steering the ship on the proper course for eventual success.

“They keep the core principles that made them champions but are building the team according to modern hockey trends,” Datsyuk said. “You can’t do it the old way anymore – the game has changed a lot: the rules, the business, and the style of play.

“I hope they’re starting slow now but will speed up soon.”