Error processing SSI fileDatsyuk: 'I want to retire here'
Far from the hubbub of the overseas fight for his services, center readjusts to the Wings.
Pavel Datsyuk, a coveted player in Russia, has a home in Detroit again.Online extras
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DETROIT -- Even two weeks ago, Pavel Datsyuk didn't know where he would play this season.
Would he return to the Red Wings or join Avangard Omsk or Moscow Dynamo of the Russian Superleague?
"My head spinning," Datsyuk said Tuesday, in his work-in-progress English, while speaking with the media.
"Last year, no speak English, I forget. It's (his English) coming back."
Ultimately, the tug-of-war ended the way Datsyuk and the Wings had hoped it would.
On Monday, Datsyuk signed a two-year contract worth $7.8 million.
On Tuesday, Datsyuk practiced for the first time with his Wings teammates and coach Mike Babcock.
"I'm a better coach because we have him," Babcock said.
Henrik Zetterberg, Datsyuk's best friend on the team, kept in regular contact with him.
"Somewhere in the back of my head, I thought he'd (Datsyuk) come back," Zetterberg said. "I didn't know if that was possible, but I kind of knew he wanted to come back."
Datsyuk said he was glad to see the end of the saga surrounding his contracts with the Russian teams and deadlines from his agent, Gary Greenstin, and the Wings.
Datsyuk, a restricted free agent in the NHL, signed with Omsk on Sept. 5, only to see Dynamo match the offer a week later.
But Greenstin kept negotiating with the Wings because Russia is not part of the International Ice Hockey Federation and the contract was never registered with the Superleague.
Last week, Greenstin said the negotiations were strictly business and Datsyuk wanted to remain with the Wings from the start.
On Tuesday, Datsyuk confirmed that Detroit is where he wanted to stay.
"I want to retire here," he said.
Datsyuk disputed numerous news reports out of Russia that indicated he wanted to play for Omsk, an hour from his hometown, or stay in the Russian League.
Although Omsk has a good team and organization, Detroit was his first choice, he said, adding that he had the support of both Russian teams regardless of his decision.
Datsyuk said he had skated in Russia and would be ready to play tonight against Columbus, if it comes to that.
"I'm not the coach," he said. "I want to play. I don't play here a long time."
Babcock said it's unlikely that Datsyuk would play against Columbus. Babcock figures that Datsyuk will be ready for Friday's home exhibition against Toronto.
Datsyuk's teammates were looking beyond the moment.
"Having Pavel will help us," forward Kirk Maltby said. "The new rules are going to help players with skill, like Pavel."
Babcock said his first inclination is to pair Datsyuk with Brendan Shanahan and Jason Williams or Mikael Samuelsson (when Samuelsson arrives from Sweden before the end of the week).
He is likely to have Robert Lang center Zetterberg, and Williams or Samuelsson.
Babcock liked seeing Datsyuk and Zetterberg on the ice. Zetterberg is recovering from a hip flexor.
"When you add him (Datsyuk) and Hank we're a way quicker team, and we didn't even have to skate," Babcock said.
Zetterberg progresses
Zetterberg had been out since being injured Sept. 13, the first day of intrasquad scrimmages in Traverse City.
But having made it through Tuesday's practice pain-free, Zetterberg said he hopes to play tonight.
"I feel good, I hope coach puts me in the lineup," Zetterberg said. "I didn't know this would take so long. I thought a couple of days, but then it went longer. We wanted to be on the safe side, and now it feels good."
Said Babcock: "We'll see how he (Zetterberg) is (today). He seemed fine."
Zetterberg was thrilled to see Datsyuk at practice. He said it is exciting to hear talk from the Wings' front office that he and Datsyuk are the future of the organization.
"Now," Zetterberg said, "we just have to take that responsibility and do the best we can."
Ice chips
The Wings essentially took the Grand Rapids Griffins, along with a few veterans such as defenseman Niklas Kronwall and forwards Mark Mowers, Rem Murray and Dan Cleary, to Denver for an exhibition against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night.
Many more familiar names will be on the ice tonight.
... Defenseman Andreas Lilja (hip flexor) played in his first exhibition Tuesday. Babcock said Lilja is likely to play three of the last four games to get ready for the regular season.
... Defenseman Jamie Rivers didn't play Tuesday, and might not against Columbus, because of a sore groin.
... Babcock said goalie Chris Osgood (groin) will not take the ice again until he is at full capacity. Osgood has yet to play in an exhibition, which means Manny Legace and Jimmy Howard will share the goaltending until he returns.
... Babcock said the Wings will cut several players today, reducing to approximately 15 forwards and eight defensemen.
You can reach Kulfan at (313) 223-4606 or ted.kulfan@detnews.com.
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