Sports

Actions

Report: Pavel Datsyuk could return to the NHL after KHL contract expires

Posted at 3:35 PM, Jan 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-23 23:19:16-05

(WXYZ) — It's been nearly three years since Pavel Datsyuk announced his retirement from the Detroit Red Wings, but a new report from TSN said the centerman may come back to the NHL.

According to TSN, Datsyuk's agent, Dan Milstein, told Russia's Match TV that he's not ready to retire even though his KHL contract is set to expire.

"I'll tell you one thing, Pavel is not ready to finish hockey in the coming years," Milstein said, according to TNS citing Google Translate. "So the decision is his - whether to leave for America, whether to play further in the KHL."

According to the report, Milstein believes Datsyuk would have plenty of interest in the NHL, but a return to Detroit could make sense.

"Three years ago, Datsyuk left Detroit on his own," Milstein said, according to TSN. "The same desire can bring him back."

Datsyuk retired in June 2016 with one year left on his contract. He had 16 goals and 33 assists in his final season, and during 14 seasons with Detroit, had 314 goals and 604 assists.