Pavel Datsyuk taking KHL break to attend NHL All-Star weekend

Pavel Datsyuk officially announced that he is leaving the NHL to return to Russia, saying it’s been a fight in his mind whether to stay or not.

The 2017 NHL All-Star weekend has added a little extra magic, and one more Arizona Coyote.

Pavel Datsyuk will be in attendance for the celebrations in Los Angeles at the end of January, according to agent Dan Milstein, who confirmed a report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman via Twitter Wednesday.

The NHL will be unveiling the rest of its 100 greatest players of all-time on Jan. 27, so the Detroit Red Wings icon’s attendance suggests he’ll be included on the list.

Though his NHL rights are held by Arizona, Datsyuk is playing for first-place SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League. With KHL games scheduled for Jan. 27 and 29, he’ll miss playing time to be part of the NHL’s festivities.

Datsyuk is still excelling at age 38, putting up 24 points through 33 games overseas.

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