Pavel Datsyuk Retiring From Red Wings, NHL
By Ty Duffy
The Detroit Red Wings made the NHL playoffs for the 25th straight season. It will be fans’ last opportunity to see Russian star Pavel Datsyuk, who told Mitch Albom he plans to retire from the NHL at the end of the season.
"“I’m thinking I go home after this season,” he said, in a long discussion at the Northville home of his agent and friend, Dan Milstein. “I may not be done with hockey, but — it is hard to say — I think I am done playing in NHL.”"
It’s not clear whether Datsyuk will play on in his native Russia. He played for Dynamo Moscow and CSKA Moscow during NHL work stoppages.
Datsyuk won two Stanley Cups with the Red Wings. He won the Selke award for best defensive forward three times. He won the Lady Bing award for best gentleman four times.
He amassed 314 goals and 604 assists in regular seasons over a 14-year NHL career. Those stats don’t really reflect his ubiquitous stick pokes to thwart opposing possessions and cute, lightning quick moves to create space where none existed. Datsyuk also had a flair for the dramatic goal.
Red Wings fans will miss Datsyuk, especially next season. Because of NHL rules on aging players’ contracts, the team loses $7.5 million on the salary cap even with him off the books.