Pavel Datsyuk’s venture into the KHL has been official for a while.
This latest development might add salt in the wound of Red Wings fans who wish the skilled but aging center was still playing for the Original Six franchise.
He has now scored his first goal since returning to the KHL. Another former NHLer, Ilya Kovalchuk, set it up off the rush. Datsyuk finished off the play with a slick backhander coming down the right wing.
Datsyuk's first of the season, first since returning to Russia https://t.co/13zhdrkXLX
— Aivis Kalniņš (@aiviskalnins) August 25, 2016
Kovalchuk - Datsyuk - Plotnikov line combined for 12 points tonight.
— Aivis Kalniņš (@aiviskalnins) August 25, 2016
After it took weeks to decide his future with the Red Wings, Detroit finally unloaded his contract to Arizona at the draft in June.