Pavel Datsyuk will have at least four more games left to play in a Red Wings uniform before hanging up his skates in the NHL.
Pavel Datsyuk to leave Red Wings after playoffs to be with family in Russia
The Magic Man’s 14-year NHL career is coming to an end.
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Sunday morning, the 37-year-old Datsyuk told the Detroit Free Press that he is prepared to leave the NHL after the Red Wings playoff run.
“I’m thinking I go home after this season,” Datsyuk said. “I may not be done with hockey, but -- it is hard to say --€” I think I am done playing in NHL.”
Though Datsyuk has played with Detroit for the whole of his 14-year NHL career, his heart belongs with his family -- a wife and 13-year-old daughter -- who live in Russia.
There were rumblings of Datsyuk’s plans earlier this month, when Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the rumor on Hockey Night in Canada. Red Wings fans took the rumor to heart, chanting “one more year” after the forward notched his 600th assist in Detroit’s last regular season home game.
Datsyuk is in the midst of a three-year, $7.5 million deal with one season remaining on the books. The Red Wings will have to keep his salary on the cap for next year, unless they can find a work around.
Some of #RedWings options would be (1) eat the $7.5M, (2) a trade partner that needs to hit floor (e.g. Pronger), (3) find a way to use LTIR
— General Fanager (@generalfanager) April 10, 2016
Just spoke w/Datsyuk's agent @danmilstein who confirmed report. Plan is for Datsyuk to meet w/Holland & Ilitch family after season. (con't)
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) April 10, 2016
He said this is very personal for Datsyuk who will do anything to help the Red Wings in any way possible to help with the cap charge, etc.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) April 10, 2016
In 953 regular season games played with the Red Wings, Datsyuk has 918 points and helped Detroit to two Stanley Cups in 2001-02 and 2007-08. He is sixth in points on the Red Wings all-time scoring list.
Though Datsyuk is done with the NHL after this season, he has options to continue playing hockey in the KHL with his hometown team, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg.
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