Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk has confirmed what has been long-speculated for the past couple of months. He’s leaving the NHL and returning to Russia to play in the KHL.
“My family and I have decided that it’s time to return home,” Datsyuk announced on the Detroit Red Wings Twitter feed.
According to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Datsyuk’s decision to leave the league is due to wanting to be closer to his teenaged daughter in Russia. He also wants to return home to finish out his career.
Datsyuk enjoyed an illustrious career since joining the Red Wings in 2001-2002. A sixth-round draft pick in 1998, the talented Russian scored 918 points in 953 career games all with Detroit, winning the Stanley Cup in 2002 and 2008. Datsyuk also won three Frank J. Selke Trophies and four Lady Byng Trophies. He was an elite two-way player, who was a wizard with the puck. His highlight reel is one of the best of all-time.
Datsyuk is likely to be a Hall of Famer when he reaches eligibility.
Unfortunately, Datsyuk’s off-ice comments haven’t always been as impressive as his on-ice performance. In 2013, Datsyuk admitted he was a member of the Russian Orthodox Church when discussing anti-gay law’s – a religious group which condemns homosexuality. It’s unfortunate one of the top hockey players of the last decade was so closed-minded in his beliefs.
Still, it’s a tough blow for the Red Wings, who not only lose the talented 37-year-old from their roster, but they’re still responsible for his $7.5 million cap-hit. General manager Ken Holland might have to get creative with the cap-hit in his attempts to move the dead-weight.
So long Datsyuk. You were one of a kind and a joy to watch on the ice.
