Datsyuk Rejoins Wings, Signs Two-year Deal

All-Star forward Pavel Datsyuk officially rejoined the Detroit Red Wings on Monday, signing a two-year contract reportedly worth a total of $7.8 million.

Datsyuk had agreed to the deal over a week ago but remained in Russia to take care of personal business. He arrived in Detroit on Sunday, met with Red Wings’ general manager Ken Holland to sign the contract on Monday, and will practice with the team on Tuesday.

“We’re obviously very happy that we got Pavel back,” Holland said. “He’s a talented young player that had a very good year for us two years ago, and we’re hoping for more of the same. With the new rules, I think skilled players like Pavel are really going to be helped.”

Before agreeing to the deal with Detroit, Datsyuk had signed with Avangard Omsk of the Russian SuperLeague. Dynamo Moscow, with whom Datsyuk played during the NHL lockout, then matched the offer and left his rights to be determined by an arbitrator.

Datsyuk will reportedly play his first preseason game on Wednesday, when the Red Wings host the Columbus Blue Jackets.