Pavel Datsyuk Considers Leaving NHL to Play in Russia

Pavel Datsyuk is considering to leave the Detroit Red Wings and return to play in Russia following this season. If Datsyuk leaves, it would be due to family reasons. Neither Datsyuk nor the Red Wings are commenting on the situation.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, it is expected that Datsyuk, his management team and the Red Wings will sit down at the end of the season to discuss a final decision. Datsyuk, who is 37 years old, becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2017. Even if Datsyuk leaves the NHL, his $7.5-million salary cap hit would remain on Red Wings' books next season because he signed his latest contract after he turned 35.

In 949 career regular season NHL games (all with the Red Wings) the three-time Selke and four-time Lady Byng Trophy winner has 314 goals, 602 assists for 916 points. He won Stanley Cups with Detroit in 2002 and 2008.

The Red Wings are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in a quarter century. The three remaining regular season games could be the end of Datsyuk's NHL career.