And why not? His team has been perpetually short-handed due to injury all season, and has been without top scorer and one of the best two-way players in the world in forward Pavel Datsyuk for the last 12 games due to a lower-body injury and seven games before that due to a concussion - so he can be forgiven for feeling a bit of trepidation is Datsyuk is well enough to suit up for the Russian National Team in Sochi later this month.
"Of course, I’m worried." Holland said on Sunday of his star forward putting his health on the line after missing so much time for the Red Wings this season. "But I understand what an opportunity this is for every Russian and every other player. Pavel has a decision to make and I understand that it’s his decision and I respect that it's his decision."
Making the choice even tougher is that Datsyuk has been named captain of the Olympic squad, an honor that Olympic teammate, Pittsburgh Penguins' centerman Evengi Malkin, says has a far reaching effect on the team's chances in Sochi.
"He has great experience," Malkin said of Datsyuk. "He's won two Stanley Cups, world championships, he's 35 years old. We have young guys, and, when they watch how Pavel works in practice, they learn a lot."
Red Wings' coach Mike Babcock isn't so sure that Datsyuk will be back playing for Detroit before the break, or even for the Russians when the games commence.
"I just watch him in practice, one leg isn't holding up." Babcock said after the team skate on Monday. "Pavel wants to play for his country and be part of things, but you have to be healthy."
Obviously there is much to be decided, and much anxiety to be experienced by Red Wings' management in the coming weeks.
http://www.sportsinjuryalert.com/2014/02/red-wings-holland-anxious-over-datsyuks.html
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