Pavel Datsyuk's NHL career may not be over.
The former Red Wing, whose contract in the KHL expires after this season, has some gas left in the tank. And it could propel him back across the Atlantic, according to his agent Dan Milstein.
Datsyuk left the NHL after the 2015-16 season to play in his native Russia. Should he choose to come back, his agent believes Detroit would be a fitting destination.
"He will have a lot of options if he decides to return to NHL. But it'd be appropriate to return to Detroit where he spent all his North American career," Milstein said. "Though it's up to Datsyuk. Will he want to make this comeback?"
In three seasons in the KHL, Datsyuk, who turns 41 this summer, has put up 103 points in 125 games. He has 34 points in 44 games this season. Last year he captained the Olympic Athletes of Russia to the gold medal at the Olympics.
"Pavel is getting slower with age, but his skill and vision are still there. People would go to the stadium to see him. I think it'd be lovely and appropriate for him to return to North America," Milstein reiterated. "But again, he will make a decision."
In his last season with the Red Wings, Datsyuk put up 49 points in 66 games. The team traded him to the Coyotes for cap relief that summer once Datsyuk made it clear he would not fulfill the final year of his contract. He'd be an unrestricted free agent if he chooses to return.
Is it in the cards for the Magic Man? Don't count it out.