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Future Hall of Famer says he's not ready to hang up the skates

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Cooper Godin
May 19, 2023  (10:36)
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It's been two full seasons since we last saw former Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk in action, but the 'Magic Man' is not ready to hang up skates anytime soon.

"I don't say goodbye to hockey." Datsyuk said.

The 44-year-old last suited up Automobilist Yekaterinburg during the 2020-21 KHL season, where he had 35 points in 51 games and then put up three points in five games during the Gagarin Cup Playoffs, where his team was bounced in the first round by the eventual winners, Avangard Omsk.

Datsyuk's NHL career came to an end in 2016 after he left to play in the KHL, but the Detroit Red Wings legend wanted to return to the North America in 2019, but ultimately signed with Automobilist Yekaterinburg.

There's no doubt that Datsyuk will be in the Hockey Hall of Fame one day. A two-time Stanley Cup champion, three-time Selke Trophy winner, four-time Lady Byng Trophy and was named on of the '100 Greatest Players in NHL History' back in 2017 during the league's centennial season. Add in what he's done on the international stage for Russia and he's a shoe-in for induction, but he won't be eligible until three years after he plays his last game.

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