On the Detroit Red Wings …
Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press: Pavel Datsyuk’s career with the Red Wings could be over as he wants to return to Russia.
“I’m thinking I go home after this season,” he said, in a long discussion at the Northville home of his agent and friend, Dan Milstein. “I may not be done with hockey, but — it is hard to say — I think I am done playing in NHL.”
The 38-year old has one year left on his contract.
“I have overstayed,” he said.
If he leaves, his $7.5 million cap hit will remain on the books due it being a 35+ contract.
“I feel very bad about it,” said Datsyuk, who is walking away from that $7.5 million. “Looking back, I wish I had done a year-by-year contract, not a three-year contract. I stayed (last year) in respect for Ilitch family. I don’t want to leave team in disaster. But if I have to do over again, I would sign a different deal. I didn’t realize it at the time.”
Datsyuk doesn’t have a KHL contract, but there have been talks and plenty of interest. He has told his agent not to negotiate with anyone, though his agent said he’s received a “very, very generous offer.”
Datsyuk said he’d okay with the Red Wings trading away his rights to help out with their cap.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson looks at some things he’s seen and what needs to be done before the start of next season.
Will see if the Leon Draisaitl remains at center, or is moved to the wing if they keep Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Scouts like Draisaitl better at center.
They may need to look at bringing in a more experienced backup goalie for next season and give Laurent Brossoit full time duties in the AHL.
The Oilers need to a find a puck-moving defenseman like a Kevin Shattenkirk, Sami Vatanen or Cam Fowler.
They could use two new defensemen – an offensive guy and a two-way Dman like a Travis Hamonic or Jonas Brodin. They wouldn’t have to trade Taylor Hall to get one of those players. Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could be brought up. If the Islanders don’t re-sign Kyle Okposo, Eberle might be a fit with the Islanders. The Wild could use a center, so a Nugent-Hopkins for Brodin makes sense.
Nail Yakupov has to moved. Need needs to play on a second line, and it won’t happen in Edmonton. Forget about a Yakupov for Michael McCarron trade, not going to happen. They will trade him at the draft for a second or third round pick, or for a former first or second round pick that hasn’t panned out either.
Three UFAs they should look at – Darren Helm, Shawn Matthias and Jamie McGinn.
They need find a third line center that has size or speed, and then move Mark Letestu back to the fourth line.
