Datsyuk won't return to SKA St. Petersburg, would only play for Red Wings in NHL

Former Detroit Red Wings superstar Pavel Datsyuk announced on Wednesday that he won't be returning to SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL next season.

The Magic Man didn't announce his next move, but Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports Datsyuk and Red Wings senior vice president Ken Holland had discussions about a possible return to Detroit before Steve Yzerman took over as general manager.

Datsyuk's agent, Dan Milstein, said the Red Wings would be his clients' only landing spot should he return to the NHL.

"The only team he'd play for in the National Hockey League would be the Detroit Red Wings," Milstein told Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News. "With that said, if he was to entertain returning to the NHL, I would be speaking to (Arizona Coyotes general manager) John Chayka before I would approach anyone else."

Datsyuk left for the KHL after the 2015-16 season with one year left on his NHL deal. Detroit dealt his contract to the Coyotes, who own his rights until he officially becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1.

The 40-year-old remained a star after he left North America, amassing 111 points in 135 games in the KHL while also captaining the Olympic Athletes from Russia to gold in 2018.

Datsyuk carved out a surefire Hall of Fame career during this NHL tenure, registering 918 points over 14 seasons while winning two Stanley Cups, four Lady Byng Trophies, and three Selkes.

Copyright (C) 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.