The Detroit Red Wings and Pavel Datsyuk have agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep the talented center a Red Wing through the 2016-17 season.
Terms of the deal were not revealed in a Red Wings' press release announcing the agreement, but Datsyuk’s agent, Gary Greenstin, confirmed that the deal is worth $22.5 million, with Datsyuk receiving $10 million in 2014-15, $7 million in 2015-16 and $5.5 in 2016-17.
“It's a great day," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "He's a world-class player. We're all fully aware he's from Russia and there's a legitimate league over there that's an option.
“I thought three years was fair for Pav and the Red Wings. Pav has a lot of hockey left in him. It's nice to know we're going to camp the next four years and we'll have Pav.''
Datsyuk took to twitter to announce his deal, tweeting: “Signed 3 yr. extension. Detroit, glad to be here for 4 more yrs. Thanks to our fans, friends and Ilitch family.”
Drafted by the Wings in the sixth round (171st overall) in the 1998 NHL Draft, Datsyuk has played 11 seasons in Detroit. In 779 regular season games with the Wings, Datsyuk has accumulated 767 points, notching 255 goals and 512 assists.
Considered to be a magician with the puck, Datsyuk is regarded as one of the NHL’s premier players. It was essential that the Wings get a deal done, since rumors swirled all season long that Datsyuk’s desire was to return to his native Russia, after the 2013-14, the final year of his contract.
“Lot of rumors in Russia. I had 2-3 meetings with Gary Greenstin in February, March, April; he reassured me Pav had the intention of staying in North America,” said Holland. “I was cautiously optimistic. You never know what the other side is thinking.''
With Datsyuk in the fold, the Wings will turn their attention to forwards Daniel Cleary and Damien Brunner as well as to the upcoming free-agent class. The first day of unrestricted free agency in the NHL is July 5.
“I told Ian White he won't be re-signed. I'm talking to Cleary, Brunner, and (Val) Filppula," Holland said. "If there's a term and number that works for us, we'll try to fit them in. If not, we'll go in a different direction.
"We like all these players, but sometimes if there's a better opportunity elsewhere, a player's got to pursue it.''
