Red Wings GM 'not overly optimistic' about trading Datsyuk's contract

Ken Holland isn't confident he'll find a taker for the remaining year on Pavel Datsyuk's deal.

The Detroit Red Wings general manager said Saturday he's "not overly optimistic" a trade will be worked out, according to NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika.

Datsyuk announced earlier in the day he is leaving the Red Wings and will return to Russia to play in the KHL. He has one year remaining on his NHL contract at a cap hit of $7.5 million, and it will stay on Detroit's cap because it was signed after he turned 35.

Holland told reporters a small group of teams expressed "some interest" in taking on the remaining year, but the Red Wings know they'd have to package a prospect and don't want to give up too many assets just to clear cap space for one season.

The GM said top prospect Anthony Mantha, nor any of the organization's other "top kids," will be traded to clear room.

Holland understood his star forward's decision.

"His heart isn't here anymore," he said, later adding, "I have no ill will whatsoever toward the Pavel Datsyuk camp. He was an incredible Red Wing."

Datsyuk signed a three-year, $22.5-million extension in June 2013.

Related - Agent: Datsyuk declined $2M bonus in February

Holland believes the veteran didn't fully grasp the rules pertaining to contracts signed by players who are 35 and older at the time, but the GM called the 37-year-old an "honorable person," according to MLive.com's Ansar Khan.