Wings' Datsyuk seems ok to play in Sochi, says Russian bench boss

The Sochi Olympic Games have had their share of disappointments, but if the host Russians don't come away with gold in Men's Ice Hockey, they may devolve into an unmitigated disaster.

Amid complaints from the the half-pipe participants and one controversy after another comes news that the coach of the Russian National Team is prepared to bench captain and four-time Olympian Pavel Datsyuk if he is not fully fit to participate - which now seems like lip service given that he now seems comfortable with Datsyuk on the ice.

Coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov had indicated on Sunday that he wanted to speak with Datsyuk upon his arrival to gauge his readiness, and although the Detroit Red Wings' scoring machine did not participate in Monday's practice, Bilyaletdinov had the chance to chat with Datsyuk and feels that he's comfortable giving the 35 year old the benefit of the doubt.

"I don't think it's a serious problem, dangerous" Bilyaletdinov said through an interpreter, "I think he's going to be ok."

The Russian coach's comments on Sunday may have just been to appease Red Wings' General Manager Ken Holland and coach Mike Babcock, both of whom have publicly expressed anxiety in regard to Datsyuk's health, fearing that the two-time Stanley Cup Champion and four-time All Star may be compromising his overall health and availability to the Red Wings by coming back from a groin injury before being fully healthy.

"From a team standpoint, we have to respect there’s an agreement in place and that a player knows his body better than everyone else, and respect that decision.” Holland said of Datsyuk's participation in the Sochi games, also adding that he realizes the importance of these particular games to his star forward.

It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he said “In his hockey lifetime, the Olympics will never be in Russia. He’s the captain. He’s probably been preparing for this tournament for five of six years”.

While acknowledging that the decision for Datsyuk to play is out of his hands, he put the onus on Datsyuk - who has been limited by injuries to just 37 games this NHL season - to do the right thing.

“You’re trusting they know their body.” Holland panned blankly, and perhaps with all of his fingers and toes crossed as he spoke.

http://www.sportsinjuryalert.com/2014/02/wings-datsyuk-seems-ok-to-play-in-sochi.html#.UvkZObQcq58