Should Datsyuk's Contract Be Traded?

Well I guess it's official now:


Detroit Red Wings superstar forward Pavel Datsyuk will not be returning to the team at the end of the season. I'm sure there isn't a single Red Wings fan on the planet who isn't grateful to Datsyuk for his effort and commitment given to the team in his 14 seasons.

Let's not dwell on Datsyuk's decision though, let's take a look at the options that the Red Wings organisation has for handling the $7.5 million cap hit the team will suffer next season. There's been talk of trading Datsyuk's contract to one of the teams that can comfortably absorb it, although at what cost?


Then we had this:


I get that in this trade, every other team has the upper hand but if the above tweet is accurate, it's an insight into a tricky situation for Red Wings' GM Ken Holland. We've seen a lot of young talent start to show in Detroit this last season, and teams willing to take Datsyuk's contract are going to want a piece of this.

Skaters like Andreas Athanasiou and Anthony Mantha have impressed while playing for Detroit, as has Xavier Ouellet. When it comes to talent like that, I can understand why Holland would prefer to offer Tomas Jurco or Teemu Pulkkinen. Both decent players, but neither dazzled last season. That said, I'd rather both started next season in a Red Wings jersey.

All in, the Detroit Red Wings are under a lot of pressure financially. Eight players are currently unrestricted free agents, and if the team fancies itself as a potential target for Steven Stamkos then a big name will be clearing out their locker at the Joe.

Whatever happens, unless Ken Holland can pull something amazing out of the bag, then his boys are going to struggle next season. With or without the cap hit. Pavel Datsyuk is not a skater who can be easily replaced, even in his final season he led the Red Wings on power play goals. No forward in the Grand Rapids Griffins comes close, and there's no affordable UFAs who can fill Datsyuk's skates.

There isn't really a situation (Stamkos aside) in which next season isn't going to suck for us Detroit Red Wings fans. Holland isn't stupid, he won't trade away our better players but I suspect this means we'll end up carrying Datsyuk's cap hit through 2016-17. That's a blow, but considering what Datsyuk brought to the Red Wings, I can begrudgingly live with it.

#LGRW

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