Pavel Datsyuk set to finally announce he's hanging up his skates

After a professional hockey career lasting over 20 years, it sounds like Pavel Datsyuk is finally ready to officially retire. The two-time Stanley Cup champion was taking part in a farewell friendly game for Alexander Semin in Russia Thursday, and was asked about his own plans for calling it a career.

"Everything is logical, I just haven't officially announced it yet." said Datsyuk. "Everything is logical, everyone understands. I will definitely announce, with great pleasure and respect for the fans, for everyone who helped me."

"Magic man" then decided to get a bit playful with reporters.

"You don't call me and don't write to me, that is why I don't announce the end of my career," he told reporters. "I haven't prepared my speech yet. I will play hockey, but not in the KHL and not for Avtomobilist," he added with a smile.

Besides his two Stanley Cups, Datsyuk won the Selke and Byng awards three times each. He's also a Gagarin Cup winner and a two-time KHL All-Star. Datsyuk left the NHL and returned home to Russia at the end of the 2015-16 season after 953 regular season games, all with them Detroit Red Wings. He started with SKA St. Petersburg and then played two seasons with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. He did not play at all last season, but could be spotted training at local rinks. Datsyuk will forever be known as one of the smoothest stick-handlers to ever play in the NHL. He was named one of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players in history in 2017.

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