Pavel Datsyuk might be one of the best stick handlers the world of hockey has ever seen.

A Red Wing for his entire NHL career, Datsyuk was lightly scouted and wasn't noticed until the 1998 Draft when the Red Wings (who were the only team that seemed to be aware of the Russian) took him in the Fourth Round. Three years later, Datsyuk reported to Detroit, scoring 35 Points as a rookie and finishing fourth in Calder voting. Datsyuk also helped Detroit win the Stanley Cup, a fantastic accomplishment for a rookie.

The Russian Center gradually improved over the next few years, and he posted back-to-back 87 Point years (2005-06 & 2006-07), which he followed with two 97-Point campaigns. In all four of those years, Datsyuk won the Lady Byng, and he also had a three-year run of Frank J. Selke wins (2008-10). The gifted two-way player won a second Stanley Cup in 2008, and Datsyuk's overall post-season performance saw him score 113 Points.

Datsyuk stayed with Detroit until 2016, and he had three more years with a third-place finish for the Selke. A Second Team-All-Star in 2008-09 (he was third in Hart voting that year), Datsyuk went to three All-Star Games and had 918 Points for Detroit.    

Datsyuk was traded to Arizona in a cap move, but he never played for them, electing the play in KHL instead. Datsyuk scored 918 Points over his NHL career, and while representing Russia, he won a Gold Medal in the 2016 Olympics.

So…what does longevity mean?

As far as we are concerned, it should matter a lot!

As of this writing, Patrick Marleau is the most tenured player in the National Hockey League.  The Canadian forward played 23 seasons (21 with San Jose) and logged 1,779 Games with 1,197 Points.  Marleau was never a threat for any individual award, but he was consistent for a long time, played both ends of the ice, and was a clean player who rarely made mistakes.  He was also a three-time All-Star.

As good as he was, and as long as he played, is Patrick Marleau a Hall of "Very Good" player, or was he the next level?  Anyone, who holds the record for Games Played, is a member of the 1,000-Point club will likely be considered Hall of Fame worthy!

We are fascinated to debate this further!

Braydon Coburn had a phenomenal career in Junior Hockey, winning Gold in the World Juniors and WJU18 while excelling at the blueline for the Portland Winter Hawks.  Coburn was a First Round Pick (8^th Overall) in 2003, debuting two years later with the Atlanta Thrashers, but he only played 38 Games in ATL before he was traded to Philadelphia.

Coburn honed his skills in Broad Street, becoming a stalwart on Defense capable of providing an offensive rush.  Better as a traditional stay-at-home Defenseman, Coburn was dealt to Tampa Bay in 2015, giving depth to the contenders and playing a small role in their 2020 Stanley Cup win.  He finished his career with brief spells with the New York Islanders and Ottawa before retiring in 2021.

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB.  Once that is done, we intend to look at how each team honor their past players, coaches and executives.  As such, it is news to us that the Washington Commanders will be retiring the number 9 of former Hall of Fame Quarterback, Sonny Jurgensen.

Jurgensen, who is 88, was associated with the franchise for over 50 years, primarily as a player, and later as a radio broadcaster.

After seven seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, the latter three where he was a starter, Jurgensen was traded to the then-named Washington Redskins before the 1964 Season, and it would prove to be an excellent fit.  A five-time Pro Bowl Selection in Washington, Jurgensen set a then record 3,747 Passing Yards in 1967, and was a five-time leader in Passing Yards, three of which as a Redskin.  Losing his starting job to Billy Kilmer in 1971, Jurgensen remained with the team until 1974.  

With Washington, Jurgensen threw for 22,585 Yards and 179 Touchdowns.  He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.

He becomes the fourth player in Commanders history to have his number retired, joining Sean Taylor (#21), Sammy Baugh (#33) and Bobby Mitchell (#49).

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Sonny Jurgensen for this impending accolade.