While Pavel Datsyuk’s NHL departure seems imminent, the Detroit Red Wings forward maintains that his decision about what to do next season is not 100 percent made. It won’t be for at least another month, either. In the weeks since Datsyuk revealed in an interview with the Detroit Free Press that he suggested strongly that he’d return to Russia following this season, leaving with a year remaining on his contract with the Red Wings, the picture has become a little cloudier. While it seemed all but definite that Datsyuk’s time in the NHL was drawing to a close, he walked back his comments to say that he hadn’t made up his mind completely yet. Datsyuk has a teenage daughter from a previous marriage that resides in Russia, and spending more time with her was a big reason for the NHL veteran would like to go home. It still seems like that is the most likely outcome. That said, during the Red Wings’ locker room cleanout day Monday, Datsyuk said that he won’t make a final decision until after he plays for Russia in the 2016 IIHF Men’s World Championship, which runs May 6-22 in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

While this offers Red Wings fans a glimmer of hope that No. 13 will be dancing around the ice in the final season at Joe Louis Arena, it seems as though others are preparing for life without the Magic Man. Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg told reporters Monday that he believes Datsyuk’s decision has already been made and he has a pretty good idea of what it is. He would not confirm, but Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press offered her take: From listening to Henrik Zetterberg, sure get the impression Pavel Datsyuk has decided to return to Russia for next season. — Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) April 25, 2016 A #13 Datsyuk jersey was signed by the entire #RedWings team in dressing room on Monday - The handwriting is on more than just the wall. — Jennifer Hammond (@HammerFox2) April 25, 2016 With the World Championships being played at home in Russia, it’s going to be a three-week advertisement for why he should stay. There will undoubtedly be overtures from several KHL clubs looking to acquire his services for at least one more seasons.

Datsyuk’s health is in question as well, though. He had multiple surgeries on his ankle last year and looked like he may have lost a step. However, he may still do just fine in the KHL with the wide-open ice surfaces and slightly decreased pace of play. If Datsyuk leaves, the Red Wings would not have to pay him his $5.5 million salary he is owed. However, since he was signed to a 35-plus, they would still be dinged with the $7.5 million cap hit tied to the three-year deal whether he is there or not. That is a ton of wasted space, which would create a major challenge for GM Ken Holland as he looks to improve this team. Holland is bracing for that possibility. #RedWings Holland said he is "probably expecting news (Datsyuk) not coming back" but still hoping. — Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) April 25, 2016 These next few weeks are going to be tense as Red Wings fans await word on Datsyuk’s future, but it seems prudent to at least prepare for him not being in the NHL next season.

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Arizona chose defenseman Jakob Chychrun with the 16th pick. Detroit chose defenseman Dennis Cholowski at No. 20, a pick that originally belonged to the New York Rangers."It's something we've talked about for a long time," Coyotes general manager John Chayka told the newspaper. "There were few teams that can take that contract on. I talked to Kenny at length about it, and when Chychrun started to fall, we started to make calls to see what we can do."I thought Kenny was going to keep the pick. I thought that was a good leverage point to utilize. We made the call on the floor and I got the player I wanted and Kenny got the space he needed."Datsyuk last Saturday said he will play at home in Russia and not for the Red Wings next season. That decision left Detroit responsible for the NHL salary-cap charge associated with the final season of his three-year, $22.5 million contract ($7.5 million).Holland said last week he was skeptical a trade would happen because of the assets it would cost Detroit to clear salary-cap space for one season."