DETROIT – Pavel Datsyuk is close to agreeing to a multi-year contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings, his agent told MLive.com on Monday.

The contract, believed to be for three years, can't be registered with the league until July 5, the first day of free agency, because Datsyuk has one year remaining on his current deal.

Gary Greenstin, Datsyuk's Los Angeles area-based agent, said he was flying to Detroit on Monday to meet with Red Wings general manager Ken Holland. It sounds as if they will put the finishing touches on the deal.

“Me and Ken and Pavel (are) very close,'' Greenstin said.

Datsyuk hinted Monday night that something was up when he tweeted “Big day tomorrow …''

There was little doubt that an agreement would be reached this summer after Datsyuk revealed, following the season, that he wants to sign an extension with the Red Wings rather than play in Russia after next season, as some had speculated.

“I'm looking forward (to signing with the Red Wings),'' Datsyuk said on May 31, when players cleaned out their lockers. “I would love to stay. ... I hope so we agree and I sign new deal.''

Datsyuk, 34, has one year remaining on a seven-year contract that pays him $6.7 million a season.

Greenstin said there was “a good possibility'' they would reach an agreement Tuesday or in the next few days.

“I hope very soon,'' Greenstin said. “Everybody knows what Pavel Datsyuk means to Detroit and what he likes about the Red Wings. We're still talking. Contract cannot be registered with league until July 5. We can negotiate a deal so we have one (before July 5).''

Datsyuk led the Red Wings with 15 goals, 49 points and a plus-21 rating in 47 games this season. He finished third in voting for the Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward (Chicago's Jonathan Toews won it), an award he won three years in a row from 2008-10 and has been nominated for a record six consecutive years.

He had three goals and six assists in 14 playoff games.

In 11 NHL seasons, all with Detroit, Datsyuk has 255 goals and 512 assists for 767 points in 779 games.