It's Red Wings Or Russia Next Season For Pavel Datsyuk: Report

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Photo credit © Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

As his agent suggested this winter, Pavel Datsyuk will only play for one team if he makes an NHL comeback. It's the Red Wings or bust. 

Datsyuk, who on Tuesday announced his departure from his KHL team, isn't done playing hockey. He might stay in the KHL and play for his hometown team next season. Or he might set his sights overseas and return to the NHL. 
If it's the latter, his agent told the Free Press on Wednesday, "He would only play for the Detroit Red Wings."

Whether the Red Wings would have any interest remains to be seen. They traded his contract to the Coyotes before he left for Russia after the 2015-16 season, and the Coyotes owns his rights until July 1. 

At that point, Datsyuk would become an unrestricted free agent. The 41-year-old scored 42 points in 54 games last season. 

"Pavel is getting slower with age, but his skill and vision are still there," his agent said in January. "People would go to the stadium to see him. I think it'd be lovely and appropriate for him to return to North America. But he will make a decision."

If there's any chance of a reunion with the Red Wings, Datsyuk would have to accept a reduced role. A spot among the top six forwards would be unlikely. 

He'd also have to accept a reduced salary. The $7.5 million he averaged on his previous deal with Detroit would at least be sliced in half. 

In his introductory press conference last month, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman made it clear he won't be overzealous in free agency -- and that would seem to extend to franchise greats. 

"I'm going to ask for some patience," Yzerman said when discussing Detroit's rebuild. "I know there's a limit to the patience of the fans, of the boss, of everybody, but I'm not going to come in here this first year and on July 1 make a big splash just so we're a little bit better next year."