Will Pavel Datsyuk Retire?

Remember when Pavel Datsyuk left North America in the summer of 2016? He returned to Russia for his family and it would seem that he would play a few years in the KHL and then hang up his skates. He was leaving the NHL just before his 38th birthday and had just experienced his worst offensive season since he was a rookie. There were those obvious signs of him slowing down, but has found great success in Russia since leaving the Detroit Red Wings. That success may keep him going a while longer, at least according to his agent.

In a recent interview his Russia, his agent Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey made it clear that Datsyuk isn’t considering retirement just yet. In fact, Milstein left the door open on a potential return to the Red Wings, explaining that it would be the right spot to return to if his client decided to come back to the NHL to play a couple more seasons or so. Datsyuk is likely to continue playing hockey through his 41st birthday which comes in July. He has had great success with SKA St. Petersberg once again this season.

So what do I mean by he's having great success? Well, Datsyuk has recorded 103 points in 125 games for them, won a Gagarin Cup in 2017, and an Olympic gold last year as captain of the “Olympic Athletes from Russia” team (the team that was created when Russia was banned). His current deal with SKA expires in April, but it still seems unlikely that he would pursue a return to the NHL. Milstein explains that it's all up to Datsyuk to leave in the first place, and it would take the same sort of decision to return to the NHL. If anything, Datsyuk will continue playing in the KHL and add to his already incredible career on the ice.

This is his agent talking, so it doesn't mean he's either going to come or not come back to the NHL. Datsyuk can always surprise us like that. That's why he was so good for a while with the Red Wings, helping them win several Stanley Cups. This is ultimately his decision. I would love to see him back with the Red Wings, because they could use his help on the offensive end. On the other hand, I do understand the age portion of this. He's getting up there and just because you're good for one season doesn't mean it's going to translate to the next, unless you're Tom Brady.

I wish Datsyuk and if he wants to come back to the NHL, I would welcome him with open arms. If not, I wish him continued success in the KHL. He's certainly been an impact player for SKA since he's gotten there.

Carolina Hurricanes To Move Four Defensemen?

There's been months, if not years, of speculation surrounding the Carolina Hurricanes and their defensive depth, but now as the team has started playing well and is pushing closer to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference things are heating up.

Today, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic is reporting that the Hurricanes are willing to move one of their top-four defensemen, and noted that both Dougie Hamilton and Brett Pesce are generating interest from teams around the league. Carolina is interested in landing another top-six forward, especially given that pending free agent Micheal Ferland is “all but gone” according to LeBrun.

The Hurricanes have already indicated that Jaccob Slavin is the untouchable one on the blue line, so trading a top-four option would likely come down to Hamilton, Pesce or former co-captain Justin Faulk. Calvin de Haan also has a claim to a top-four role of his own, but between just signing with the Hurricanes in the summer and not being part of the right side of the ice, his availability seems more unlikely.

The fact that the Hurricanes are listening to a potential trade of this proportion should not surprise anyone. This is the team that has gotten rid of Elias Lindholm, Victor Rask, Noah Hanifin and Jeff Skinner in the last six months as they try to find a new identity under owner Tom Dundon and Canes head coach Rod Brind’Amour. Dundon has made it clear that he wants to win and win now, so it tells me that they’re going to need more scoring to accomplish that goal.

Hamilton and Pesce both represent the biggest targets for other teams around the league, but they come with different financial situations. Hamilton is signed for two years after this season and comes with a $5.75MM cap hit. After starting the season strong he has seen his minutes reduced, playing fewer than 20 minutes in 16 of his last 20 appearances. Pesce’s ice time, on the other hand, is in a much different situation. He is logging four of his top-five totals in this month alone including nearly 23 minutes in a win over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. The 24-year old also comes with five additional seasons under contract at a reasonable $4.025MM cap hit, which may make his contract more attractive to teams as the deadline nears.

It's still very unclear on if one of the Hurricanes defensemen is going to be moved at all. As the trade deadline nears, that may change. One thing is for certain, though. The Hurricanes are in a win-now mode and that could be a big risk between this team continuing to climb for eliteness in the future or taking it baby steps. However, Tom Dundon has moved things in a fast-pace direction and we'll see if some Hurricanes are jettisoned before the end of the deadline in order to fulfill his wishes.

Manitoba Moose's Comrie Named Player of the Week

The American Hockey League announced on Monday that Manitoba Moose goaltender Eric Comrie has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending on January 20, 2019.

Comrie started four games for the Moose this week, going 4-0-0 allowing only seven goals on 138 shots faced in 244 minutes of play.

Comrie began the week this past Monday, putting up a 34-save effort to backstop the Moose to a 3-2 overtime victory over the Milwaukee Admirals. On Wednesday, Comrie stopped 31 shots – including 15 of them in the third period – in a 4-2 win over the Admirals. On Saturday, he made 19 of  37 saves in the final period of a 4-1 win over the San Antonio Rampage. Finally, on Sunday, Comrie faced 31 shots – his 10th consecutive start with at least 30 shots against – and turned aside 29 as the Moose defeated the Rampage, 4-2. Comrie’s performances for the week include 62 saves on 64 shots in the third period and in overtime (.969).

Comrie is now 5-0-1 in his last six starts and has a record of 15-11-2 in 28 appearances overall for Manitoba so far this season. He ranks first in the league in saves (870), second in minutes played (1,654), tied for fourth in wins (15), fourth in save percentage (.923) and 12th in goals-against average (2.65). The 23-year-old is in his fourth pro campaign and has made 164 AHL appearances with Manitoba and St. John’s, with a record of 67-78-18, a 2.89 GAA, a .911 save percentage and eight shutouts. Comrie was a second-round choice (59th overall) by Winnipeg in the 2013 NHL Draft and has played four games for the Jets in his career to date.

In recognition of being named the CCM/AHL Player of the Week, Comrie will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Manitoba Moose game.

My congratulations to Eric Comrie on his selection as the Player of the Week for this past week!

Vegas Golden Knights Trade Brad Hunt to Minnesota Wild

Defenseman Brad Hunt is on his way out of Las Vegas.

On Monday, Vegas Golden Knights GM George McPhee announced that the team has traded the defenseman, along with a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, to the Minnesota Wild for a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

McPhee will discuss the trade situation on Tuesday, January 22 at City National Arena following a team practice.

Brad Hunt spent the past two years with the Golden Knights, appearing in 58 games and finishing with 25 points, (5 G, 20 A) as well as eight penalty minutes. Prior to joining the Golden Knights, Hunt spent some time in Edmonton, Nashville, and St. Louis.