It's Actually Happening; Pavel Datsyuk Might Return To The NHL And Play For The Red Wings Next Season

Longtime Detroit Red Wing Pavel Datsyuk has announced that his career with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL has come to an end. Being that SKA is the best team in the KHL to play for, this likely means Datsyuk’s career in Russia is over. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman has reported that there had been discussion for the Magic Man to return to Detroit and that he is headed to city soon.

I have blogged this before, but the NHL needs Datsyuk back. The guy is still good for a highlight reel goal every couple weeks. It’d be electric to watch the magic man do work in these playoffs.

It sounds like Datsyuk would return to Detroit though, the only NHL franchise he has ever known. His rights were traded to Arizona but his contract has now ended and he is free to sign with whatever team he wants.

Datysuk has done work since leaving the NHL, winning the KHL Gagarin Cup in 2017 with SKA and captaining “The Athletes From Russia” to a Gold Medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics. The guy has basically accomplished it all for an athlete in Russia. What more could a guy want? Maybe another cup?

The guy can clearly still play too, the KHL is no slouch and in 54 games with SKA this season, the magic man had 42 points. I think he’ll fit in on an NHL team just fine.

With the return of Stevie Y in Detroit, it makes perfect sense for Datsyuk to go back to the city that raised him and return the favor to a group of young prospects. The ultimate magic trick, he disappeared but he has now returned. May be time to make another “I’m back bitches” shirt.