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Detroit Red Wings: Pavel Datsyuk retires from NHL

By Mike Rizzo

Apr 21, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) looks on after losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in game five of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Detroit Red Wings 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) looks on after losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in game five of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Detroit Red Wings 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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In what should come as a surprise to nobody, Pavel Datsyuk officially announced his retirement today from the NHL. Where do the Detroit Red Wings go from here?

Pavel Datsyuk made it official today as he announced he is leaving the Detroit Red Wings and returning to Russia. From the Detroit Free Press:

"“My family and I are grateful for our time here in Detroit,” he said in a press conference during a break at his hockey camp in Orchard Lake St. Mary’s ice arena. “This was not an easy decision, but it is time for us to return home.”"

As I wrote back in April in my Red Wings end of the year review, no fan should fault Pavel for making this decision.

The blame for this mess falls on Ken Holland. Datsyuk said he wanted his contract to be year-to-year but Holland, for some reason, didn’t listen and gave Pavel a three year contract.

Sure enough that third year ends up biting Holland and Red Wings fans. Now the Red Wings need to look to move his contract.

Teams like the Arizona Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes, etc. are looking to get to the salary cap floor. They would gladly take Datsyuk’s contract but will they want more. Maybe someone like Teemu Pulkkinen.

I know some Red Wings fans will disagree but I would move Pulkkinen if that’s what it takes to get  rid of Datsyuk’s contract.

I do agree with Holland on something he said though, that “if the price is going to be lots of futures, it doesnt make any sense” .

The Red Wings shouldn’t give up a player like Anthony Mantha or Andreas Athanasiou, but a second or third tier prospect could be worth moving.

Now what do the Red Wings do? In my opinion the first choice is to move his contract. If they can move the contract then they need to go after Steven Stamkos.

Steven Stamkos doesn’t fix the defense problem I know, but Stamkos is a game changer offensively and can give the Red Wings that 30-40 goal scorer they have been lacking.

If the Red Wings can’t get Stamkos then I would focus on defense. Holland’s plan B’s haven’t worked out so I think Red Wing fans have a right to be terrified if he has to go to plan B.

Next: Tigers: Michael Fulmer Could Enter CY Young Talk

The next few weeks are huge for Ken Holland and the Red Wings. The future really is riding on the decisions Holland makes.

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