Listening to the Red Wings talk about Pavel Datsyuk on Monday, conversations weren't based on the team debating if the Russian forward will return or not.
It was more about planning for a future without him when he does leave.
The expectation is for Datsyuk to depart Detroit, leaving one season and a $7.5 million cap hit on his three-year contract. He said as much to Mitch Albom two weeks ago.
Datsyuk wants to return to Russia to play out his career there. He has called it a family decision.
"I haven't made my decision 100 percent yet," he said on Monday.
Speaking to his teammates and Red Wings management, they've all but said their formal goodbyes.
"We've talked. I have a good idea," Henrik Zetterberg said of his teammate's intentions.
Ken Holland said he'd be naive to only think Datsyuk will return. Detroit's general manager has two plans in place: one with Datsyuk in the lineup, and one without.
MORE TO COME
