Doc's Take On Potential Retiring NHL Players

I know it might be a bit too early to speculate this but with the recent leaving of Jaromir Jagr from the NHL and the recent retirements of Dominik Hasek and Trevor Linden, plus the fact that I'm feeling under the weather and have nothing better to do, I look at other notable players that might hang up their skates for good.

First off is Teemu Selanne. Teemu was part of the team that helped bring the Stanley Cup to Anaheim in 2007. After this victory, many thought Selanne would take this opportunity to retire on top. This turned out to be false as he re-signed with the Ducks again after taking an extended period of time deciding on his future like his teammate Scott Niedermeyer who also returned and Niedermeyer has also stated he will play again next season. The 38 year old from Helsinki, Finland has played in 15 NHL seasons with Winnipeg, Anaheim, San Jose and Colorado. He has been selected as an all-star 10 times and has also won the Calder, Maurice "Rocket" Richard, Bill Masterton and Stanley Cup trophies. Selanne has played 1,067 games with 552 goals and 606 assists giving him 1158 points. Selanne also holds the record for most goals scored in a rookie season with 76.

Another long time face in the NHL that could be gone is long-time Colorado Avalanche captain, Joe Sakic. Joe has had a recent setback this season with a sports hernia which required surgery. Joe was still able to score 40 points in 44 games last season which is pretty respectable for a 38 year old. Born in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, Joe has played 19 seasons all with the Quebec/Colorado franchise. He was the leader for his team when the Avalanche won the Cup in 96' and 01' and is known as a heart and soul player throughout the league. The 12 time all-star has also been awarded the Conn Smythe, Lester B. Pearson, Lady Byng, Hart, Olympic gold and 2 Stanley Cup trophies. Sakic has played1,363 games with 623 goals and 1,006 assists for 1,629 career points. Joe currently has the most points of active players, holds the NHL record for most overtime goals in the playoffs with 8 and holds the NHL all-star game record with 16 assists in one all-star game.

Another Avalanche that could call it quits is Peter Forsberg. Along with Sakic, Forsberg was also on Colorado's two Stanley Cup winning teams in 96' and 01'. Forsberg has been known in the NHL as a scorer with very agressive forechecking ability but more recently a player with ankle issues that will not go away because of how he played previously in his career. Forsberg took time, just like Selanne did this year, to decide if he could still be an impact to the game even with a weak ankle. After spending some time training with a hometown team in Sweeden, Forsberg signed a deal with the Avalanche for the remainder of the season but his groin, not ankle, forced him to miss a few games. In the 9 regular season games that he did play, he scored 14 points. The 34 year old from Ornskoldsvik, Sweeden has played 12 seasons with Quebec/Colorado, Philadelphia and Nashville, and is a 5 time NHL all-star. Forsberg has also won the Calder, Hart, Art Ross, Olympic gold and 2 Stanley Cup trophies. In 706 games, Forsberg has accumulated 249 goals and 636 assists for 885 points.

The fourth notable player that might leave the game is Detroit defenceman, Chris Chelios. The 46 year old from Chicago, Illinois has proven that he can stay in shape and has been a reliable stay at home defenceman. Sure he does not have speed any more but you got to have respect for the man to be able to stay in NHL shape at the age of 46. I would not be surprised if he played until he was 50, the last player and only player doing so was Gordie Howe. Chelios has played in 24 NHL seasons with Montreal, Chicago and Detroit. The 11 time NHL all-star has 3 Norris, 1 Mark Messier and 3 Stanley Cup trophies. Chelios has played 1,616 games with 184 goals and 763 assists for 948 points.

Another player is long-time Toronto Maple Leaf captain, Mats Sundin. Sundin is like the NHL's version of Brett Favre, not career wise but the fact their last seasons are similar. Like Favre, Sundin had a successful year statswise with 78 points in 74 games. Like Favre, Sundin has garnered interest to make a return to the NHL. Now with this interest, will Sundin be like Favre and retire even though teams had interest in brining those players back in their respective leagues. Sundin is a big centreman that is strong on the forecheck and can provide team leadership. He is not as inspirational as Joe Sakic, Steve Yzerman or Mark Messier, but he can make his presence known. The 37 year old from Bromma, Sweeden has played 17 seasons split with Quebec and Toronto. The 9 time NHL all-star has also recieved the Mark Messier trophy and Olympic gold. Sundin has played 1,305 games collecting 555 goals and 766 assists for 1,321 points. Sundin also is a shareholder for the NHL record of most career overtime goals with 15 which is shared with Jaromir Jagr.

One more possible player that might retire is Sergei Fedorov. Fedorov split time last season between Columbus and Washington and although he is not the scorer like he was when he was younger, he can provide veteran leadership which every team could use. Fedorov is also a good utility player that can play centre, the wings, or defence. The 38 year old from Pskov, Russia has played 17 NHL seasons with Detroit, Anaheim, Columbus and Washington. The 6 time NHL all-star also has a Lester B. Pearson, Hart, 2 Selke and 3 Stanley Cup trophies. Fedorov has played 1,196 games collecting 472 goals and 674 assists for 1,146 points.

All of these players have the credentials to make the hall-of-fame and the impact these 6 players had on the game will not be forgotten even if they decide to play, or not play, next season.