Under Krikunov, Datsyuk evolved into a particularly efficient two-way player, and he began to draw wider attention among Russian hockey fans.

[8] When Datsyuk began his NHL career for the Red Wings, he was mentored by compatriot stars Igor Larionov and Sergei Fedorov, as well as Detroit captain Steve Yzerman.

[9] He took full advantage of his elevated ice time, where his playmaking skills earned him a spot in the 2004 NHL All-Star Game.

On 4 September 2005, Datsyuk then signed a one-year contract with Avangard Omsk of the Russian Superleague (RSL),[10] where Dynamo Moscow matched the offer two days later, retaining the player.

During the 2006–07 season, Datsyuk debuted Reebok's new hockey stick, with holes bored into the shaft to make it more aerodynamic, dubbed the 9KO.

[14] He then helped Detroit to another lengthy playoff run as they advanced to the Western Conference Finals against the second-seeded eventual Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, who defeated the Red Wings in six games.

In 2007–08, Datsyuk was voted by NHL fans, along with teammates Nicklas Lidström and Henrik Zetterberg, to start for the Western Conference in the 2008 All-Star Game at Philips Arena in Atlanta on January 27, 2008.

[15] He went on to have a career year, scoring a team-high 97 points (31 goals, 66 assists) in all 82 games while also leading all Red Wings forwards in blocked shots.

In leading the team in scoring, he joined Ted Lindsay, Gordie Howe and Steve Yzerman as the only players in franchise history to do so in three consecutive seasons.

Having led the NHL in 2007–08 with a plus-minus of +41 and 144 takeaways (58 more than Mike Modano's second-best total of 86), Datsyuk was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the League' best defensive forward.

In addition, Datsyuk became the first NHL player to win the Lady Byng three consecutive times in over 70 years, since Frank Boucher of the New York Rangers won from 1933 to 1935.

Datsyuk, Anze Kopitar, and Ron Francis are the only players to have been awarded both the Selke and Lady Byng trophies during their careers.

[21] Datsyuk also received a nomination for the Best NHL Player Award at the ESPYs, but lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins' center and captain Sidney Crosby.

[22] In the 2009 playoffs, Datsyuk and the Red Wings would reach the Stanley Cup Finals for a second consecutive season against the Pittsburgh Penguins and third time under Datsyuk's career which would see the Red Wings fall to the Penguins in seven games, one win short from a second consecutive Stanley Cup championship and third altogether.

[24] As a result of early season injuries to sniper Johan Franzén, center Valtteri Filppula and defenceman Niklas Kronwall, the Red Wings struggled to find consistency.

Datsyuk achieved a Gordie Howe hat trick on the opening night of the 2010–11 season on October 8, 2010, against the Anaheim Ducks with a goal, an assist and a fight, which came against Corey Perry.

[27][28] Despite an injury-shortened year, Datsyuk was named a finalist for the Selke Trophy for the fourth straight season, which ultimately went to Vancouver Canucks' center Ryan Kesler.

After sweeping the sixth-seeded Phoenix Coyotes in the first round, the Red Wings fell behind 3–0 to the second-seeded San Jose Sharks in the second round (which also happened the previous year), Datsyuk almost led his team back from the deficit to win the series; a Game 5-winning assist to Tomas Holmström's goal, a Game 6-winning assist to Valtteri Filppula's goal and a Game 7 late backhand goal on Sharks' goaltender Antti Niemi highlighted Datsyuk's heroics in an eventual losing effort.

[29] Datsyuk was an early-season candidate for the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the League MVP, until a knee injury in February 2012 forced the Red Wings into a slump.

[31] Datsyuk was also named a finalist for the Selke Trophy for the fifth straight season which was eventually awarded to Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron.

As the NHL entered its second lockout in eight years in 2012–13, Datsyuk followed other prominent NHL players, such as Washington Capitals winger and captain Alexander Ovechkin and Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, in playing overseas while the lockout was in effect; he signed with CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on 16 September 2012.

When play for the NHL resumed in January 2013 for a 48 game-shortened regular season, Datsyuk returned to the Red Wings and managed to score 15 goals, 34 assists for 49 points in 47 games.

Datysuk was named a finalist for the Selke Trophy for the sixth straight year, ultimately ceding the award to Chicago Blackhawks center and captain Jonathan Toews.

[37] He ultimately finished the season with 26 goals and 39 assists for 65 points in 63 contests played followed by five points (three goals, two assists) in all seven games in the 2015 playoffs in the Red Wings first seven-game round exit to the Tampa Bay Lightning and was a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for the sixth time in his career with former Red Wing teammate Jiri Hudler of the Calgary Flames receiving the award.

[52] On 5 June 2019, despite light speculation of a possible reunion with the Red Wings, Datsyuk opted to continue in the KHL, returning to play in his hometown with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg on a one-year contract.

Throughout his career in the NHL, Datsyuk was known as a top two-way forward with stellar play in both the offensive and defensive sides of the game.