Datsyuk To Retire After Next Season?
 

I've never heard of this guy's site before, so I have no idea how credible he is. He claims to have a very good source inside the organization but I have no idea if he's legit. Either way, check out this article.

http://kuklaskorner.com/a2y/comments...medium=twitter

Thoughts?

Rumor: Datsyuk goes home after 13/14
 

http://kuklaskorner.com/a2y/comments...-one-year-left

In case you're not in the know, that's Abel 2 Yzerman, the most rabid Wings blog you'll find on the internet. Take what you will from the post, but Datsyuk was fairly candid about how he'd miss the KHL when the lockout ended, and non-committal about extending his NHL stay after the current contract.

If this turns out to be true, then that's a crying shame, even if I understand where Datsyuk is coming from. Then again, it's just a rumor, even if it's a convincing one from where I'm standing. The Chief (guy who writes the A2Y blog) is usually more hyperbolic than Damien Cox, Eklund and myself combined, but there's just something about this one that I can't shake when I put it together with Datsyuk's own comments at the end of the lockout.

Thoughts?

he was one of the big 4 that were alleged to be watching the cba negotiations carefully and if things were too bad they were all considering staying home

so this really doesnt surprise me at the end of the day

Datsyuk wasnt the only Russian who wanted to stay in the KHL at the end of the lockout. We all know the stories of Kovalchuk and his desire to stay, the whole Visnovsky situation and the "mis-quotes" from OV regarding his thoughts on the NHL as a whole, and so on...

It wouldnt surprise me if Datsyuk did return at the end of his contract. Then again, Lidstrom had mentioned a few times that he wanted to go back to Sweden and finish his career there too when his last couple contracts were coming to an end and we all know how that turned out. He ended up resigning with Detroit and staying there. His last two contracts with Detroit were 1 year deals. This is something that could and probably will happen with Detroit.

I am not saying Datsyuk wont go back but rumors are just rumors until they actually happen. He's not a young man anymore so his playing days are numbered. I guess it depends on where he really wants to play his last year or two.

theres no place like home

Ya I actually turned down a deal a month ago because I really do think that Pavel will return home after next season. I think he wants to go back to Russia while he still has "it" and can play in the KHL for a few seasons in front of friends and family. It's gonna suck when he leaves as he is probably my favourite player to watch in the league.

Dakkster, I agree it is the comments he made himself towards the end of the lockout that make me think this is a possible or even probable.

fyi...threads merged. (if i didn't screw it up, that is)

I bet the Red Wings give him ten million reasons to stay in an extension this summer. I know the KHL has money too but being a top paid player in the top league in the world is hard to beat.

I don't see it. Even if Dats liked it in the KHL, it's a whole other thing to feel the same way after two years back in the NHL (better league, better living conditions, etc).

For Datsyuk it's not about NHL vs. KHL or playing with in the best league in the world, it's about being closer to his daughter who lives in Russia.