Many NHL player have had storied careers, and some could have better careers had they played longer. Today, some players in the league should retire right now to save themselves and their careers, and certain players should continue their storied careers.
Now, let’s go over 5 NHL players who need to retire and 5 who should keep playing.
Which NHL player can still hang around and which ones should call it a day?
PLAY – Joe Pavelski
The Dallas Stars forward finished the 2022-23 season with 77 points through 82 games.
Before joining Dallas for the 2019 season, Pavelski had played his previous 13 seasons with the San Jose Sharks, where they were continuously playoff contenders.
The NHL player remains a competitive goal-scorer at 39 years old and has yet to win a Stanley Cup. He has made two cup appearances in his career, however, he has yet to take home the prized trophy which is why he needs to remain to play.
The Stars are looking like they will be remaining competitive the next few seasons meaning this will be Pavelski’s best and last chance to win a cup.
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RETIRE – Corey Perry
Perry has been with 5 different NHL squads in the last 5 seasons where he made the cup three times in a row.
Perry is probably best known for playing 14 seasons with Anaheim Ducks, where he would be an alternate captain and win the 2007 Stanley Cup.
Perry’s point-scoring has dwindled since the 2016-17 season which is the last time he notched over 50 points.
Perry has slowly fallen into a bottom 6 role in the league and he already has a Stanley Cup and Hart Memorial Trophy under his belt. There is no reason the 38-year-old should remain in the NHL.
PLAY – Brent Burns
Burns is currently playing in Carolina, with the constantly competitive Hurricanes.
After starting his career in Minnesota, Burns would head over to San Jose in 2011 where he excelled as a defender, winning a Norris Trophy and making the finals with the aforementioned Pavelski in 2016.
The NHL player remains as one of the league’s top defenders as he put up 9 points in 15 playoff games in the 2023 playoffs with the Hurricanes, and continues to average at least 30 to 40 points a season.
Carolina remains competitive and so does the NFL player, which is a big reason why he must remain with the Hurricanes as they are poised to compete for a Stanley Cup in no time.
RETIRE – Zach Parise
Parise is probably best known for having 4 straight 30-plus goal seasons with the New Jersey Devils from 2006 to 2010.
After his last season in Minnesota, Parise would play 2 seasons with the New York Islanders, where he would only put up 52 points through 162 games.
Parise signed a one-year, league-minimum contract to join the Colorado Avalanche to go on a cup run after sitting out the first half of the season.
With seemingly little interest in the 39-year-old forward, it seems as though it may be time for him to call it a career this off-season.
Also read: 5 Cinderella NHL Teams That Can Win the Stanley Cup This Season and 5 Teams That Have Zero Chance
PLAY – Alex Ovechkin
Ovi has played his entire career thus far with the Washington Capitals and is even their current captain.
Ovi currently sits second on the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring list behind only one NHL player, Wayne Gretzky.
With him on pace to hit the 35-goal mark this season, there is no reason the esteemed forward should retire any time soon.
If Ovechkin continues at his current pace, he should break the Great One’s goal record in the 2025-26 season. Let’s hope that for the sake of all of us NHL fans, that he sticks around long enough to break the nearly 30-year-old record.
RETIRE – Jonathan Quick
Quick has been in the NHL since 2007, when he began his illustrious career in Los Angeles with the Kings.
Quick would remain in LA for nearly 16 entire seasons where he would win 2 Stanley Cups and a Conn Smythe Trophy with the team before being traded to Vegas in 2023.
Quick’s time in Vegas would only last for 10 games, however, he would become a 3-time Stanley Cup champion as the Knights would go on to win their first-ever Stanley Cup in franchise history.
While Quick is currently under contract with the New York Rangers, I think it’s safe to say that he has seen enough success in his long career.
STAY – Sidney Crosby
Crosby has been in the NHL for nearly 2 decades, where he has captained the Pittsburgh Penguins for all but one season of his career.
The NHL player has scored over 1500 points in the show, leading the Penguins 3 Stanley Cup wins. He also won the Conn Smythe in both 2016 and 2017.
With playoff appearances in 3 seasons during his career, it’s clear to see that Crosby still brings that competitive edge to the game and makes Penguins games more enjoyable to watch.
Also read: All 30 NHL Teams’ Most Overrated Player Right Now
RETIRE – Ryan Reaves
Reaves is currently in the first year of a 3-year, $4.05 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In his NHL career, Reaves has played for 6 different teams, playing the role of enforcer on all of them. His hard-nosed play has yet to win the 37-year-old forward a Stanley Cup ring.
As the NHL grows into a newer, fast-paced league, it seems as though Reaves does not have the skill to keep up with new-age players and needs to continue fisticuffs to keep his spot in the league.
The NHL is slowly leaning more toward safety and to save himself the fines, it may be better for the NHL player to call it a career sooner rather than later.
STAY – Patrick Kane
Kane signed with the Detroit Red Wings in November of 2023 and hasn’t looked back since as he has potted nearly a point per game in his time with the team.
Kane has publicly stated that he is currently on a ring chase as he looks to win his 4th Stanley Cup of his already storied career.
Kane should remain in Detroit if he wishes to stay true to what he is trying to accomplish. Detroit looks poised to make the playoffs next season and should be competitive if Kane stays in the motor city.
RETIRE – Jonathan Toews
Toews and Kane are practically synonymous when it comes to their NHL success but they are in two very different spots in their careers.
The 35-year-old NHL player has struggled to keep his point totals up the last few seasons and has decided to take the 2023-24 season off for personal time.
Now that he has taken time off, it may be too late for the aging forward to jump back in to the speed of the NHL game.
With 3 cups and a Conn Smythe under his belt, it may be more beneficial for Toews to call it a career sooner than later.
Also read: All 32 NHL Teams’ MOST Underachieving Player Right Now
