Breaking: Pavel Datsyuk considering coming out of retirement for NHL return

We've seen it happen as recently as this weekend. On Saturday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that NHL enforcer Tom Sestito is coming out of retirement to sign a professional tryout offer. Friedman reports that word is now that Sestito is set to sign the PTO with the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs.

Let's up the ante now.

On Tuesday night, TSN's Bob McKenzie posted a tweet that sent NHL fans, more especially Detroit Red Wings fans, into a frenzy when he mentioned that he heard some chatter that veteran forward Pavel Datsyuk could be coming out of retirement.

McKenzie is always trying to give the right information to fans, so he also added very important details, saying that Datysuk's agent, Dan Milstein, is still unsure the idea of returning to the NHL is something his client would entertain.

“Every year we sit down and talk about options but (returning to the) NHL isn’t something he has entertained.”

Heard some idle chatter that 40-year-old KHLer Pavel Datsyuk might consider a return to the NHL next season but his agent Dan Milstein says: “Every year we sit down and talk about options but (returning to the) NHL isn’t something he has entertained.”
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 19, 2018

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.

Back in the summer of 2016, Datsyuk announced that he was leaving the Detroit Red Wings, with a year left on his contract, 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.

Datsyuk, BTW, turns 41 in July. ARI currently owns Datsyuk’s NHL rights, until July 1, when he would become UFA in the NHL.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 19, 2018

With his current up and the possibility of getting to choose where to play, the veteran forward might be more interested than he ever was before.

Earlier this month, Datsyuk and figure skater Alina Zagitova, as well as the national football team’s head coach Stanislav Cherchesov received the National Sports Award at a ceremony held in Moscow.

Datsyuk had 49 points, ranking second on the Red Wings, in 66 games during his last regular season in the NHL.