Pavel Datsyuk: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation on Red Wings Star's Future

Daniel KramerApr 2, 2016

Pavel Datsyuk's future in the NHL could be in question, as the Detroit Red Wings star may be returning to Russia after this season.

Continue for updates.

Datsyuk Comments on Future

Monday, April 4

"I have one more year contract and we have three games left this year," Datsyuk told reporters. "This is more focus for me now. I'm not looking at next year."

Datsuyk's Agent Responds to Report Regarding Potential Return to Russia

Saturday, April 2

"Pavel is concentrating on helping his team to make the playoffs and winning another Stanley Cup for the Red Wings," Dan Milstein, Datsyuk's agent, told Ansar Khan of MLive.com. "Pavel also has one more year left on his NHL contract. We will sit down with [general manager] Ken Holland at the conclusion of the season for our annual year-end meeting."

Holland Comments on Datsyuk's Future in Detroit

Saturday, April 2

“I haven’t talked to Pavel," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland told reporters. "He has a year to go (on his contract). Are the rumors news to me? I hear a lot of rumors."

Datsyuk Linked to Potential Return to Russia

Saturday, April 2

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that Datsyuk's future could lie in Russia after the season. Datsyuk is reportedly considering returning to his homeland for family reasons, per Friedman.

Datsyuk Is a Reliable Veteran Presence for Red Wings

What’s worse for Detroit is if Datsyuk leaves, his $7.5 million cap hit, per Spotrac, will still count against the team next season. Under the collective bargaining agreement, the cap hit for a player who signs a multiyear contract at the age of 35 or older will count against his team even if the player isn't active, per CapFriendly.com.

However, Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News believes the longtime veteran will finish out his contract before leaving:

This isn't the first time Datsyuk has expressed his desire to play in Russia before retiring. It was a topic of conversation when he signed a three-year extension with the Red Wings in June 2013, per Kevin Allen of USA Today.

Datsyuk has been part of two Stanley Cup-winning seasons with the Red Wings (2001-02 and 2007-08), and he remains a valuable piece in Detroit as the team’s fifth-leading scorer this year. Along the way, he passed a major milestone, per the NHL:

Datsyuk, who has spent all 14 of his NHL seasons with the Red Wings, has tallied 16 goals and 47 points this year. At 40-28-11, Detroit is one point ahead of the Boston Bruins for third place in the Atlantic Division.

Seeing one of the longtime faces of one of the most storied franchises leave while still playing at a high level is never easy. But if Datsyuk indeed departs for personal reasons, Red Wings fans should understand and enjoy their final run with the veteran.