Datsyuk wants to play until 2018; agent cites 'unfinished business'
Pavel Datsyuk has a golden goal of a different sort.
The veteran forward's agent, Dan Milstein, told Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press that his client's plan is to play until 2018 to be part of Russia's pursuit of Olympic glory.
“Pavel wants to play well and he wants to help the team,” Milstein said. “Very likely, he will play for two years, to be part of the next Olympics, because he has unfinished business. He wants to help Russia win a gold medal.”
Datsyuk is waiting on transfer paperwork that will facilitate his departure from the NHL and the Arizona Coyotes, who took on the final year of his contract in a draft night trade with the Detroit Red Wings.
Milstein said the documents should arrive shortly, and his client will sign with a KHL club as soon as they're processed.
The 37-year-old announced his decision to leave the NHL for Russia last month.
The cap hit from the final year of Datsyuk's deal remains on the books, per CBA rules, because he signed a multi-year deal after the age of 35.