Breaking: Datsyuk's agent reveals his client could return to NHL!

It might be so close, we can almost taste it. 

Pavel Datsyuk’s agent is leaving the door open for his client to return to the NHL after spending the past three seasons back home in Russia. Dan Milstein, who represents Datsyuk, told Russia’s Match that the 40-year-old veteran, whose KHL contract is set to expire, does not want to hang up the skates. 

“I’ll tell you one thing, Pavel is not ready to finish hockey in the coming years,”  Milstein said, via Google Translate . “So the decision is his - whether to leave for America, whether to play further in the KHL.”

Milstein has previously denied claims that his client was looking to make a return in the NHL, so this sounds like encouraging news for any fan of the Magic Man. His agent added he believes Datsyuk would have plenty of suitors in the NHL, but a return to the Detroit Red Wings, who he spent all 14 seasons of his career with, could make sense.

“Three years ago, Datsyuk left Detroit on his own,” Milstein added. “The same desire can bring him back.”

Back in the summer of 2016, Datsyuk announced that he was leaving the Detroit Red Wings, with a year left on his contract at a $7.5 million cap hit, saying it was time to go back home and play in the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League. Since, he has been an important member of SKA St. Petersburg. 

One thing that might be different this time around for Datsyuk, who will turn 41 in July, is that his rights in the NHL are owed by the Arizona Coyotes until this summer. In July 2019, the veteran star player will be an unrestricted free agent and might be interested in giving the NHL another go. Of course, a deal with Detroit would be unbelievable. He has totaled 314 goals and 604 assists for 918 points in 953 regular-season games.

Datsyuk had 49 points, ranking second on the Red Wings, in 66 games during his last regular season in the NHL. This season in the KHL, he has nine goals and 34 points in 44 games this season.

The two-time Stanley Cup champion has also won three Frank J. Selke trophies at the best defensive forward in the NHL and four Lady Byng Memorial awards for sportsmanship. Many teams would love to have him on the roster, however, you have to believe his preference is to return to Hockey Town.