Pavel Datsyuk Dan Milstein

Pavel Datsyuk, right, and his agent Dan Milstein, address the media on Saturday.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT - Pavel Datsyuk left the Detroit Red Wings with a huge void in their lineup and potentially $7.5 million of dead salary-cap space because he opted not to fulfill the final year of his contract.

But general manager Ken Holland said he has no hard feelings toward one of the most electrifying players and top two-way centers in franchise history.

"He gave us 14 years of incredible hockey," Holland said Saturday at Joe Louis Arena, following Datsyuk's announcement that he is returning to Russia to play in the KHL. "He never complained. He just played hard. He's a 200-foot player.

"He helped us win the Stanley Cup in '02 and '08, brought people out of their seats. Great leader, great role model.

"I have no ill will whatsoever towards the Pavel Datsyuk camp. He was an incredible Red Wing."

Datsyuk has wanted to return to Russia for years to be closer to his 13-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, who lives there with Datsyuk's ex-wife.

Nobody is begrudging him for that. The issue is why he signed a three-year extension in 2013 knowing the club would be saddled with his cap hit if he departed sooner (per CBA rules for contracts that take effect when a player is 35 or older).

Datsyuk took full responsibility Saturday during his news conference at Orchard Lake St. Mary, saying he knew the rule.

"I (put) my team in a tough situation," Datsyuk said. "When I come back after lockout year (2013), my mind is kind of 'I want to go home, I want to go home.' This time also I want to keep playing here. I just can't (make up) my mind. I (think) I will be OK with another three years, but as it goes farther and farther, it make it harder and harder. Now I just think it's not fair and (I'm) heading back home."

Holland said he doesn't believe Datsyuk fully comprehended the rule. He believes there was miscommunication between Datsyuk and his former agent, Gary Greenstin.

Greenstin told Holland that Datsyuk wanted to retire a Red Wing and asked for a five-year contract in 2013 (when Datsyuk had one season remaining on his current deal). Holland only felt comfortable with three years. They agreed to a $22.5 million deal.

The first indication Holland received that Datsyuk wasn't going to fulfil the entire contract came during the 2014 preseason, when Datsyuk told him he wanted to return to Russia after the season. Holland spent the rest of the season explaining to Datsyuk the cap ramifications.

Datsyuk, in the meantime, hired a new agent, Dan Milstein, and they, along with Holland, met with team owners Mike and Marian Ilitch in June 2015. Holland told Datsyuk and Milstein that the club wouldn't try to prevent him from playing in Russia in 2016-17 if he remained in Detroit for one more season. Datsyuk agreed.

Holland explained why he didn't simply sign Datsyuk to a one-year extension in 2013?

"He's a star, he's our best player," Holland said. "His agent walked in and wanted to do a five-year deal. What do you think would have happened if I countered with a one-year deal? He would have been on another team.

"Hindsight's 20-20. I don't think Pav had a conversation with Gary Greenstin about when he wanted to retire. I think that when Pav signed a contract he wanted to be here and when he got into the start of the first year, for the reasons that you heard today (family), he made a decision that he didn't want to be in the National Hockey League anymore, he wanted to go back home."

Holland said Datsyuk is an honorable person.

"Pav didn't do this knowingly," Holland said. "Certainly I'm disappointed that he's not going to honor the '16-17 season, but I've spent 18 months talking to him and Dan Milstein and I understand the reasons why. His heart isn't here anymore."

Holland said he doesn't feel burned by Greenstin, who he doesn't believe intentionally deceived them. Greenstin couldn't be reached for comment.

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