Pavel Datsyuk is going home.

The Detroit Red Wings center appears set to forego the final year of his contract, opting instead to return to his native Russia for family reasons.

"I'm thinking I go home after this season," he told Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press. "I may not be done with hockey, but - it is hard to say - I think I am done playing in NHL."

Datsyuk added he wanted to make the announcement sooner rather than later to avoid any distractions now that the team has clinched a playoff spot, especially following reports last week suggesting there was a legitimate chance he would leave the NHL.

"Because of the rumors out there, I wanted to clear this up now before the playoffs started so I can focus only on giving my best playoff performance," he said. "And I wanted the fans to hear it from me, not someone else."

The 38-year-old has one year and $5.5 million remaining on his contract, which carries a $7.5-million cap hit that will remain on Detroit's books since the deal was signed after he turned 35. The three-year pact is one that, in hindsight, Datsyuk wishes he hadn't signed.

"I feel very bad about it," the center said. "Looking back, I wish I had done a year-by-year contract, not a three-year contract. I stayed (last year) in respect for (team owners) the Ilitch family. I don't want to leave team in disaster. But if I have to do over again, I would sign a different deal. I didn't realize it at the time."

Datsyuk's agent later corroborated his client's statement:

The Red Wings clinched their 25th consecutive playoff spot Saturday, and will face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the opening round, meaning Datsyuk has at least two games remaining at Joe Louis Arena.

Detroit's sixth-round pick in 1998, Datsyuk has appeared in 953 regular-season games with the Red Wings, recording 314 goals and 604 assists. He's also won two Stanley Cups and the Selke Trophy three times.

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