Pavel Datsyuk did not exactly put Detroit Red Wings fans at ease Monday, when he addressed Elliotte Friedman’s report that he could return to Russia after this season.
“It’s hard to say. Never know what’s going to happen,” Datsyuk told reporters in Detroit.
The 37-year-old star forward maintained that he is focused on the present but did not shoot down the idea he’ll leave Detroit for the KHL this coming off-season. Datsyuk still has one year remaining on his contract, which carries a $7.5-million salary cap hit.
Detroit would be still on the hook for Datsyuk’s cap hit if he does head home for family reasons.
“Pavel is very determined to play and show his best game while helping, assisting and motivating his team into the playoffs and another Stanley Cup,” Datsyuk’s agent, Dan Milstein, wrote to the Detroit Free Press in an email.
“Pavel has one more year left on his NHL contract. We will sit down with Ken Holland at the conclusion of the season for our annual year-end meeting.”
Holland, the Red Wings general manager, dismissed the report as rumours and reminded the Free Press that Datsyuk still has a year on his contract.
Datsyuk and Milstein are trying to finalize his first development hockey school in Detroit this summer, a program the talented forward had organized in Russia for years.
The Red Wings hold a slim lead over the Boston Bruins for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division.
