Watching Season 16 of Dancing With the Stars without Maks Chmerkovskiy was truly a strange experience for all the Dancing with the Stars fans. The Ukranian hottie said that he wanted a chance to look for other opportunities, but could we see him now in season 17?

Season 16 of Dancing With The Stars was not the same without the popular dancer. It was the first time that he was not on the show since Season 6. Although, viewers enjoyed watching his younger brother Val dance, many fans of the show want the bad boy of the dance floor back.

In a recent press tour of Television Critics Association, ABC President of Entertainment was asked about the controversial Maks and if he was indeed returning for season 17, in which he said: "Maks is part of the family. He may well be back. We love having him a part of it"

Currently, Maks is performing with former fiancee Karina Smirnoff on Broadway in Forever Tango. He is scheduled to wrap things up on Broadway on August 11. During his time in the show, he had a couple of fights with the judges. But with the statement of Lee, it looks like they put all of it in the past.

Another pro dancer to return this season 17 is none other than Derek Hough. He told Access Hollywood that he's definitely going to be part of Season 17. "We've got one show a week now, but I think it'll make a better show, more jam packed. And so I'm excited about it."

The new season of Dancing With the Stars premiers on September 16 at 8 p.m. and is scheduled to air only once a week, Mondays.  There will be no results show on Tuesdays.

What do you think of the changes in the show?