MOSCOW (Ticker) - Pavel Datsyuk has picked Russia over Detroit.
According to published reports, Datsyuk, a restricted free agent with the Detroit Red Wings, signed a one-year contract with Russian club Avangard Omsk on Monday.
The 27-year-old All-Star center, who reportedly turned down a $5 million offer by Detroit was looking for a deal of at least $6 million with the Red Wings.
"I think I am worth at least what (Dany) Heatley or (Joe) Thornton got from their deals," Datsyuk told the Russian media.
Datsyuk has a clause in his Avangard contract, allowing him to leave for the NHL midway through the season.
Detroit's sixth pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Datsyuk spent last season with Dynamo Moscow. He joined Detroit for the 2001-02 season and helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup in his rookie season. He will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2007.
No Pavel, your not worth what Heatley and Thornton got...IMO of course.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=redwingsdatsyuk&prov=st&type=lgns
According to published reports, Datsyuk, a restricted free agent with the Detroit Red Wings, signed a one-year contract with Russian club Avangard Omsk on Monday.
The 27-year-old All-Star center, who reportedly turned down a $5 million offer by Detroit was looking for a deal of at least $6 million with the Red Wings.
"I think I am worth at least what (Dany) Heatley or (Joe) Thornton got from their deals," Datsyuk told the Russian media.
Datsyuk has a clause in his Avangard contract, allowing him to leave for the NHL midway through the season.
Detroit's sixth pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Datsyuk spent last season with Dynamo Moscow. He joined Detroit for the 2001-02 season and helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup in his rookie season. He will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2007.
No Pavel, your not worth what Heatley and Thornton got...IMO of course.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=redwingsdatsyuk&prov=st&type=lgns
