Do svidaniya Magic Man

There's definitely a couple of reasons why they call Pavel Datsyuk 'The Magic Man.' Being around the NHL game for a long time, Pavel might have the nicest pair of hands I've ever seen in all my years watching hockey. An absolute wizard with the puck during high pressure situations such as NHL games, Datsyuk can do things that just about no other player in the world can do.

On Saturday, Pavel finally confirmed what people have been thinking for the past few months now as he retired from the National Hockey League to go home to Russia and close out his career in the KHL. "My family and I are grateful for our time here in Detroit," Datsyuk said. "This was not an easy decision, but it's time for us to return home."

Datsyuk made the announcement at a quick news conference during his youth hockey camp that he runs every year in the Detroit area.

At 37 years old, Datsyuk has won just about everything he could possibly win in the NHL. A couple Stanley Cup's, four Lady Bing Memorial Trophy's, three Frank J. Selke Trophy's, four All-Star games, and many more accolades over the years. Datsyuk's international resume is also nothing to sneeze at. In addition to his Olympic bronze medal he won with Russia at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Pavel has also won four medals (one gold, one silver, two bronze) at various World Championships.

Datsyuk had one year remaining on his three-year, $22.5 million dollar contract at the time of his announcement. This past season he had 49 points for Detroit, but went pointless in the Red Wings five game loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

What do I think about Pavel's decision to leave the NHL for Russia? I'm fine with it. As I said, he's done just about everything that he can do in the NHL so if he's not going to retire then why not close out his career in his homeland? Datsyuk has a young family and he has to look out for their best interests in addition or even above his own. I really wish Pavel all the best back in Russia, and hope his remaining years playing professional hockey go to his liking.

Datsyuk's career totals in the NHL were 918 points in 953 games over fourteen seasons. This past year he joined Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman, and Alex Delvecchio as the fourth Red Wings player to reach the 300 goals and 600 assists plateau.

North Americans will only have to miss Pavel for a little bit as he will be back here representing Team Russia at the World Cup of Hockey this coming September.

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