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

Joe PantornoApr 10, 2016

Detroit Red Wings veteran center Pavel Datsyuk's future is uncertain amid his desire to return to Russia.

Continue for updates.

Datsyuk Comments on Future in NHL

Monday, April 25

Datsyuk told reporters he won't make a decision on his future until after playing in the World Championship in May.

"Everything is possible. It's not final decision 100 percent," Datsyuk told reporters when speaking about retirement, according to ESPN's Craig Custance on April 11.

On April 11, Datsyuk said he believed he was done playing in the NHL and wanted to return home to Russia after this season, per Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press.

"I’m thinking I go home after this season," Datsyuk said, via Albom. "I may not be done with hockey, but—it is hard to say—I think I am done playing in NHL."

Holland Comments on Potential of Datsyuk Returning to Red Wings

Monday, April 25

"Given my past conversations with [Datsyuk] and [Datsyuk's agent] Dan Milstein...I guess I would expect news that he's not coming back," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland told reporters.

Holland said he's formulated plans for both scenarios regarding Datsyuk's futures, adding that if the center departs, he'd "like to move the cap space," but wouldn't do so if the price includes "lots of futures."

Zetterberg Comments on Datsyuk's Potential Departure

Monday, April 25

"I'm pretty sure he's made up his mind," Henrik Zetterberg told reporters.

Datsyuk's Agent Comments on Client's Future

Sunday, April 10

Milstein, told Ansar Khan of MLive.com on Sunday that his client might return to the team next season.

"There's still a meeting with (general manager) Ken Holland and perhaps ownership of the team," Milstein said. "They had a similar sit-down last summer. Up until he sits down with them, it's not a done deal."

Datsyuk's teenage daughter is being raised back in Russia, and he hasn't been able to spend a lot of time there due to a hectic schedule, which is taking its toll, according to Milstein's conversation with Khan:

"
It's been very difficult for Pavel the last three years to come back (to the U.S.). The summers are short. After he gets to Russia there is less than two months.
He has camps to run, so he's spending time away from his daughter. It is very difficult for him to be away from her. She was here during the All-Star break. It was heartbreaking seeing him say good-bye to her as she left for Russia.
"

Datsyuk has one year left on a three-year, $22 million deal he signed prior to the 2014-15 season, according to Spotrac.

Datsyuk is 37 years old and has an expiring contract after the 2016-17 season, so some might believe he is trying to gain another extension. But Milstein vehemently denied that, saying that he was "willing to put everything on the line in saying that it is absolutely not about getting another extension."

Datsyuk Is a Consistent Contributor for Red Wings

In his 14 years with the Red Wings, Datsyuk has become one of the faces of the franchise thanks to his excellent ability to stay on the puck and make plays. The NHL showed one of his more recent magical assists:

His numbers were never flashy, as he scored more than 30 goals just twice, but he's a two-time Stanley Cup winner and is seventh among all active players with 604 career assists.

With the Tampa Bay Lightning eliminating the Red Wings in the first round of the playoffs, Datsuyk's future will be one of the biggest storylines for the Wings this offseason.

Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com.