Wings Come to Terms with Datsyuk

Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland announced Thursday that the team had agreed upon a contract with restricted free agent Pavel Datsyuk. As per the team’s policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

Datsyuk had been offered a contract by his former team in Russia, Ak Bars Kazan, but he made it clear that he wanted to return to the Red Wings.

“We’re all very happy to have Pavel Back,” said Holland. “He is part of a group of young and talented players who are important to the balance and makeup of our team. He had an exceptional sophomore season and we look forward to his continued improvement in the future.”

The 25-year-old center scored twelve goals and added thirty-nine assists in sixty-four games with the Red Wings last season, his sophomore year. He finished fourth in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year the season before.

Ak Bars Kazan has already signed Red Wings defenseman Dmitri Bykov to a deal for next season. Detroit has until July 15 to sign Bykov or he will play in Russia next year.