Report: Datsyuk Decision To Come Tonight, Announcement Tomorrow
By: Will Burchfield
@burchie_kid
Pavel Datsyuk's NHL career is expected to come to an official close this weekend.
Per NHL analyst and former Red Wing Aaron Ward, the 14-year NHL veteran will clarify his plans for the 2016 season - and beyond - on Saturday.
Expect Detroit Red Wings to make announcement tomorrow along with Pavel Datsyuk confirming he will not be returning next year.
— Aaron Ward (@NHL_AaronWard) June 17, 2016
Datsyuk had told the Wings at the end of the regular season that he was leaning toward walking away from the final year of his contract and returning to Russia. His final decision was supposed to come at the conclusion of the World Championships, which ended on May 22.
But Datsyuk has kept the Wings - and their fans - waiting, likely in an effort to come to terms with his decision. In an interview with the Detroit Free Press in April, Datsyuk, 37, explained his desire to return home is driven by being closer to his teenage daughter. On top of that, he would like to play out his professional career in front of his country's native fans.
Datsyuk's contract carries a $7.5 million cap hit next season, although the Wings would not be obligated to pay his $5 million salary should he walk away. In all likelihood, they would trade Datsyuk's contract to a small-market team trying to pull themselves above the cap floor. They would likely have to surrender a lesser prospect to facilitate that, but it beats having a hefty chunk of dead weight on their cap.
With Datsyuk's contract off the books, the Wings would have about $18 million of open cap space heading into free agency. There are still some players GM Ken Holland figures to resign, but the extra $7.5 million of wiggle room would allow the team to pursue prized free agent, Steven Stamkos, should he hit the open market.
That is all speculation, of course. What's almost certain right now is that "The Magic Man" has performed the last of his tricks in Detroit.