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Wings’ best options hinge on trading Datsyuk contract

Detroit — Pavel Datsyuk is gone — so now what?

There’s several ways the Red Wings could go now that the longtime center announced he is returning to Russia and foregoing the final year of his three-year contract.

General manager Ken Holland, however, doesn’t paint an optimistic future considering the Red Wings will have a cap hit of $7.5 million courtesy of Datsyuk.

“We’ll be competitive ... but we’ll be comprised by having $7.5 million tied up on a player you don’t have,” he said. “It’s a huge hole and it’s very difficult situation.