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Datsyuk announces three-year, $22.5 million extension with Red Wings

Pavel Datsyuk

Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) of Russia controls the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues in Detroit, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

AP

Forward Pavel Datsyuk promised today would be a big day, and true to his word, he has announced his new deal with the Detroit Red Wings.

Datsyuk has agreed to a three-year extension that will begin once his current deal expires after the 2013-14 campaign. He didn’t share the financial terms, but he’ll come with a $6.7 million annual cap hit next season.

Update: Red Wings GM Ken Holland reported that Datsyuk signed for $22.5 million, according to Detroit Free Press writer Helene St. James. That puts his cap hit beyond the 2013-14 campaign at $7.5 million.

The three-time Selke Trophy winner will be 35 once his new deal starts, which means his cap hit will stay with Detroit even if he decides to retire before the contract expires. That being said, Datsyuk is still playing at an elite level as evidenced by his 49 points in 47 games last season.

Re-signing Datsyuk kills the rumors that the Russia-born forward might leave for the KHL after the 2013-14 campaign. That’s one less major question the Red Wings will have hanging over their heads once the season starts.

This move also means that Detroit has locked up its core of forwards Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, Henrik Zetterberg, defenseman Niklas Kronwall, and goaltender Jimmy Howard through at least the 2016-17 campaign.