Star center Pavel Datsyuk, 34, would dearly like to work out a contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings this summer. Datsyuk can become an unrestricted free agent next summer but he said: "I would love to stay. He can sign an extension with Detroit beginning July 5. "Yeah, I hope we agree and we sign a new deal," he said. "I hope we agree and I sign for more (years)." Datsyuk, who played in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League during the lockout and enjoyed the experience, has said he'd like to conclude his playing career in the KHL. "This is my goal (to finish in the KHL), but you never know how it goes," Datsyuk said. "I would love to finish (in the KHL), give back to my friends and fans in Russia (while) I hope I'll be in good shape." But it sounds as if Datsyuk would like to play for few more years in the NHL. "My time frame (is probably) too long, but you never know," Datsyuk said. "You never know. Hockey is so competitive, so aggressive, you never know about that."

Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland acknowledged that re-signing Pavel Datsyuk is "very important," but he cautioned that the negotiations might not be swift. Although Datsyuk isn't scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent until the summer of 2014, he wants to re-sign an extension in the near future. That would end the rumors that he will leave Detroit for the KHL once his current contract is done. "I'm going to make a call to his agent," Holland said. "I'd like to have a conversation. We know he's on the team next year. Negotiations are tough, because the player is trying to find out what's fair for him, and the team is trying to find out, competitively, what makes sense. Just because somebody says they want to stay doesn't mean you're going to have a contract done in a month." Even accounting for that, it would be surprising if Detroit and Datsyuk fail to agree to terms this summer.

Pavel Datsyuk is hoping to sign a contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings over the summer. Datsyuk, 34, won't be an unrestricted free agent until the summer of 2014, but there were already reports that he was interested in playing in the KHL after his current contract expired. Obviously signing a new deal with the Detroit Red Wings will end those kind of rumors for the time being. Datsyuk is hoping to spend several more years with Detroit and the two sides shouldn't run into any serious problems in their negotiations.

Pavel Datsyuk has played in a team-high six Game 7s. Datsyuk has four goals and five points in those contests. He failed to record a point in Detroit's Game 7 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in the first round, but Datsyuk is definitely one of the players to keep an eye on in the final game of the Red Wings-Blackhawks series.

Neither the Detroit Red Wings nor Pavel Datsyuk's agent gave any credence or substance to a Russian report Friday saying the star forward had agreed to a three-year contract to play in Russia beginning in 2014-15. Datsyuk, 34, will become an unrestricted free agent after next season. "All B.S. rumors," said Datsyuk's agent, Gary Greenstin , of the story in Sovetsky Sport. "Nothing is true." Greenstin said he will meet with Red Wings general manager Ken Holland after the season to discuss the future. Datsyuk enjoyed his time in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League during the NHL lockout this season, and he has said he would like to finish his career in Russia. But Datsyuk added recently that the competition level in the KHL isn't nearly the same as it is in the NHL.

Pavel Datsyuk threaded a goal just under the crossbar at 6:46 of the third period in Monday's 3-1 Game 3 win. Datsyuk's goal came just over 2 minutes after the Blackhawks had cut Detroit's lead to 2-1 and not long after the referees negated a Chicago's game-tying goal with an interference call. The goal itself was vintage Datsyuk and eerily similar to one he scored against Anaheim in the first round, with Datsyuk streaking into the zone and roofing the puck shortside just over Corey Crawford's shoulder. Datsyuk shot the puck so perfectly it rang in and out of the net fast enough for the TV announcers to think he hit the crossbar.

The Chicago Blackhawks have nothing but respect for Pavel Datsyuk. "He's tricky," Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith said. "I'd say probably the toughest guy one-on-one to handle in the league. He's got a lot of different moves up his sleeve. ... I mean, I can't say enough good things about him. We always have our hands full when we play him, and we have to be on top of our game." Datsyuk was nominated for the Selke Trophy on Wednesday and he's already won the award three times before. He couldn't save his team from a 4-1 loss in Game 1 though.

Detroit coach Mike Babcock is confident that Pavel Datsyuk won't be going to play in Russia after his contract expires next season. "You mean how long is his deal and how much is he gonna make? Well, there's this much possibility he's going back to Russia," said Babcock, making a zero with his thumb and index finger. "I mean, we'll get it done (new deal) in the summer." He is set to make $6.7 million in 2013-14 and talks for an extension are expected to take place in July. There was speculation that he could play in the KHL after speaking fondly of his experience during the lockout, which set off some alarm bells. "It's kind of my dream, to (go) back and enjoy (playing in front of) Russian friends," Datsyuk said back in January. "They (fans) cheered for me. You never know how your career will go." Hopefully, for Detroit and for hockey fans in North America he gets will stay in the NHL.

Pavel Datsyuk is a nominee for the Selke Trophy. The award goes to the best defensive forward in the NHL. Although Datsyuk has some fierce competition in Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews, but Datsyuk certainly has a shot. He had a plus-21 rating and tied the league-lead with 56 takeaways. Datsyuk plus/minus rating in particular was impressive, given that he faced some of the toughest competition in the NHL, based on advanced statistics. In fact, only 18 forwards faced tougher competition in 2013 and none of them had a plus/minus rating above plus-seven. Datsyuk is going for his fourth Selke Trophy win.

Mike Babcock used Pavel Datsyuk on the face off a lot in Game 7. Datsyuk took 31 draws, winning 17 as he led both teams in both categories. Babcock would have Datsyuk take the draw and then have him come immediately to the bench on numerous occasions. Babcock also split up Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg for Game 7 although the duo should be used on the same line once again against Chicago.