If Datsyuk's KHL-bound, it appears he'll join SKA St. Petersburg

Pavel Datsyuk is still scheduled to meet with the Detroit Red Wings in the coming weeks, but there's further evidence to suggest that the discussion will be centered around a clean break rather than a continued union.

According to Russian reporter Slava Malamud, Gennady Timchenko, who heads the KHL board of directors, has made it known that Datsyuk will join Russian outfit SKA St. Petersburg.

This is just another sign pointing to Datsyuk's NHL career being through, but the longtime Red Wing hasn't made anything official, ostensibly out of respect for the club he helped win two Stanley Cups.

Detroit will be on the hook for his entire $7.5-million hit if he chooses to play out the twilight of his career elsewhere. That's unless the two parties can employ a third to stomach his contract through trade.