Holland Expects Datsyuk to Return

Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland told reporters on Monday that he thought restricted free agent Pavel Datsyuk would return to the team by the end of the week.

“I think he’s coming back to Detroit, unless I get a major curveball,” Holland said before the Red Wings’ preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning. “My expectation is that he’s coming back by the weekend.”

Datsyuk signed with Russian team Avangard Omsk on September 5 but his 2004-05 team, Dynamo Moscow, later matched the deal. A Tuesday hearing to decide which of the Russian teams holds his rights is expected to favor Dynamo, for whom Datsyuk reportedly does not want to play.

Holland has not spoken to Datsyuk directly since he signed the Russian contract. He has, however, been in contact with Gary Greenstin, Datsyuk’s agent.