Fifth Avenue Forum

The truth is, Datsyuk has been squirming to go home since 2012, the year he played in Russia during the NHL lockout. Last season he basically told Detroit he was finished, and only the length of his contract, terrific persuasion by general manager Ken Holland and personal involvement from Mike and Marian Ilitch convinced him otherwise.

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Then a strange thing happened. Datsyuk complained of continued soreness in his right ankle — the result of what he and the team thought was a puck-related injury near the end of the season. The Red Wings took quick action, and arranged for surgery in North Carolina with Dr. Robert Anderson on June 26. Datsyuk returned to America.

“It was supposed to be 45 minutes,” he said.

Instead, according to Milstein, who was present along with Wings trainer Piet Van Zant, it took more than four hours. As the time passed and the surgery continued, a worried Milstein notified Holland. Van Zant notified Mike and Marian Ilitch.

Finally, when the doctor emerged, it was learned that “both of Pavel’s tendons were completely gone, destroyed; they had to use cadaver (replacements),” Milstein said. “Dr. Anderson said he didn’t think any active athlete could go through this and recover enough to go back to playing on the ice.”

He shook his head. “But Pavel did this. If it were me, I would have retired on the spot.”

As much as Pavel Datsyuk longs to return to Russia permanently after this season, there still is a chance he could be back with the Detroit Red Wings to fulfill the final year of his contract.

Datsyuk's agent, Dan Milstein, indicated that Datsyuk's final decision will come after the playoffs.

Too hurt for the nhl, but healthy enough for the khl?

Sad day to see one of the most entertaining players of the decade go.

I hear his 7.5m will stay on the books tho? What the ****? He can't just retire because of pain and have that come off?

What is his actual salary this season?

how will you remember the Pavel Datsyuk Arizona Coyotes era?