Henrik Zetterberg isn’t planning on following the path paved by former teammate Pavel Datsyuk, admitting he intends on honoring the rest of his contract with the Detroit Red Wings.
[link_box id=”22277″ site_id=”17″ layout=”link-box-third” alignment=”alignright”]Speaking with Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press, Zetterberg said he doesn’t intend on going to Sweden to finish out his career and unless an injury occurs, he’s finishing his contract out with the Red Wings.
“For me, no. I think Sweden – that chapter is closed, hockey-wise, for me,” Zetterberg said. “Two reasons. When I’m done here, I’ll be 41 years old. If I can’t play out my contract, it’s because I’m injured. So I won’t be playing hockey. And as soon as I signed that 12-year deal, I knew I was done back home. I understand Pavel. I think the KHL obviously is a higher level than the Swedish Elite League … and also for him going back to be with his daughter (who lives in Russia) was a big impact.”
It’s not surprising news, but it’s reassuring to Red Wings fans that Zetterberg won’t leave the organization anytime soon.
Losing Datsyuk to the KHL this offseason with one year left on his contract presented a difficult cap situation for the Red Wings. Fortunately, general manager Ken Holland managed to deal him to Phoenix for four spots in the draft. With four seasons left on his contract past this season, dealing Zetterberg’s contract would be difficult. Plus, it doesn’t hurt the Red Wings will have the talented forward with them for seasons to come.
[theScore]
