Detroit Red Wings F Pavel Datsyuk Set to Leave NHL after Stanley Cup Playoffs, Cites Personal Family Reasons, KHL Possible: Report
Detroit Red Wings F Pavel Datsyuk wants to go home. The 37-year-old Alternate Captain of the Detroit Red Wings announced on Sunday that he plans to leave the NHL after the playoffs are over.
He will return home to Russia where his 13-year-old daughter will be waiting for him. The Wings center will forgo his final season of his three-year $22.5 million contract.
Drafted by the Red Wings in the 1998 entry draft, Pavel Datsyuk has been one of the best players to suit up in a Detroit sweater. When you think of the Detroit Red Wings, you immediately think of Datsyuk. He was an integral part of Detroit hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2002 and an even bigger role when they won again in 2008. Known for his offensive skills and defensive play on the ice, Pavel won multiple awards over the years for his demeanor both on and off the ice.
He was awarded the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward during the ’07-08,’08-09 and ’09-10 seasons. A four-time consecutive winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and performance and the 2008-2009 NHL’s Hart Trophy recipient for being the league’s MVP. At the end of this year’s playoffs, number 13 in the motor city will be missed.
In his 17 years in Hockeytown ,”The Magic Man” has a total of 314 goals and 918 points in 953 NHL games with the Red Wings. Datsyuk joins an elite group in Steve Yzerman, Gordie Howe and Alex Delvecchio as the only Red Wings players to tally 300 goals, 600 assists and 900 points.
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The numbers are impressive, his play is impressive and his reason for wanting to leave the NHL and go back to Russia is a reason that anyone with a heart cannot be mad about. Pavel has left his mark on the Detroit Red Wings organization. Now it is his time to be a Dad and take care of his daughter who he has been without for so long.
This news should come as no surprise to some, as Datsyuk has been longing to go back to Russia since he played in the KHL in 2012 during the NHL lockout. He was able to have both of his loves in his life at the same time and at the same place, his family and hockey both in Russia.
Pavel has stated that he “feels bad” as he did not want this news to cause any distractions during the post season, so that he and his teammates can focus on performing to their fullest potential. He also did not want to “leave his team in disaster” which is understandable.
If he does leave at the end of the playoffs and return to Russia, it leaves the Red Wings responsible for $7.5 million salary cap charge for the 2016-2017 season because his new deal went into effect after he turned 35. Detroit GM Ken Holland will have to get creative in finding a way to deal with the cap hit of his contract or he may get lucky and have a team interested in the salary dump in order to reach the salary cap floor.
Detroit Red Wings F Pavel Datsyuk will have at least two more opportunities to play in front of his fans at Joe Louis Arena as the Wings have a first round date with the Tampa Bay Lightning. His absence on the Wings roster will be felt next year as well as in the locker room. He provided a veteran presence to some of his younger teammates, such as standout rookie Dylan Larkin. His heart and his head unfortunately are no longer in Detroit, and as they say all good things must come to an end.
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The future Hockey Hall of Famer has provided countless highlight reel worthy goals, not to mention some amazing stick-handling over the years, plus bringing Lord Stanley to Hockeytown twice – that’s quite an impressive resume. He’s done his time and left his mark in the NHL and has inspired so many young hockey players across the world. Now it’s his time to return home and inspire his kids and his family.