That is the question, and after already asking it about four veterans last weekend, this week saw one prediction come true as Brad Richards called it a career. There are even more well-known veterans whose successful careers currently have an indefinite future. The NHL is getting younger and faster, and even the best veterans are being pushed out of the league earlier than ever. Meanwhile though, players like Jaromir Jagr, Shane Doan, and Zdeno Chara are still making a big difference for their teams well past their “prime” years. No one wants to retire while they still believe that they have gas in the tank and can help a team throughout the 82-game season, whether that be a contender in need of depth or a rebuild in need of leadership. The question is not totally on the player either; is there even a market for their services? The following players have had long, storied careers in the NHL, but as the summer continues to dwindle, they must decide whether they’re willing to keep playing, regardless of the team or contract, or if they’re ready to hang up the skates.
Alex Tanguay: 36 years old, 35 pts in 2015-16
Tanguay should still be playing in the NHL. There’s no question about it. At 36, he has shown few signs of slowing down. We had him ranked as #33 among our Top 50 Free Agents and recently profiled him as one of the most impactful free agents remaining on the market. So, if Tanguay isn’t on a roster in 2016-17, it will be completely due to the market. Twenty-three days into free agency now, it’s been all quiet on the forward front for Tanguay and several other high-profile players, and it seems to have less to do with the quality of the players and more to do with the demand for their services. However, Tanguay may have an edge over the others because of the strong veteran presence he can bring, a trait desired by both contenders and rebuilders. A veteran of over one thousand NHL games with close to 500 career points, Tanguay had 55 points with Colorado in 2014-15 and put up 35 more in 70 games between the Avs and the young Arizona Coyotes last year. Tanguay’s ability to contribute at that level has shown that the 35-year-old “point of no return” has not hit him as hard as it hits others, and should keep him in consideration this off-season. The locker room leader and two-way contributor has what it takes to continue his playing career, so as long as a team can find a spot for him, Tanguay should jump at the chance. Verdict: Keep Playing
Dennis Seidenberg: 35 years old, 12 pts in 2015-16
The former Bruins defensive stalwart, who turned 35 this week, has struggled the past couple seasons. Seidenberg is not far removed from being one of the most reliable defenseman in the game, and was a big part of Boston’s 2011 Stanley Cup championship as one half of a dominant pair with fellow veteran defenseman Zdeno Chara. While it once seemed like Seidenberg was more than capable of playing at that level well into his late 30’s, injuries have derailed his career. After being limited to just 34 games in 2013-14, he returned in 2014-15, but looked like a very different player, and then skated in only 61 games last year for a disappointing Bruins defensive unit. Despite having a $4MM cap hit and a no-trade clause going into 2016-17, Seidenberg was surprised when the Bruins bought him out in June to open up cap space and more opportunity for their younger defenseman. The German star is very attached to the city of Boston, and there were rumblings that he would not approve a trade and would retire if the Bruins bought him out. To this point there has been nothing solid to confirm that he has plans to retire, but if he would like to stay in Boston at all costs, it seems like it won’t be as an NHL player. Teams could find a bargain if they can sign Seidenberg for a cheap deal and get him back to his 2012 form, but in all likelihood, that player is gone. It might be time for the Seidenberg to hang ’em up and move on to a new stage of his career. Verdict: Retire
Matt Cullen: 39 years old, 32 pts in 2015-16
Cullen was the best bargain in the NHL last year, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup title at a price tag of just $800K. His 32 points over the course of a full 82-game schedule, followed by six more points over 24 playoff contests displayed a durability and dependability that is not often seen at his age. Cullen is set to turn 40 this next season, but the only question that remains is whether he will still be playing next season. While the simple choice for Cullen would be to go out on top as a Stanley Cup champ coming off of a strong season in his twilight years, the option to return to Pittsburgh remains open. Penguins GM Jim Rutherford expressed a desire to bring back both Cullen and defenseman Justin Schultz this off-season, and while many people pointed to the team’s depth and lack of cap space as reasons why that was unlikely (us included, who predicted that the 38th ranked Cullen would just retire in our Top 5o Free Agents), Schultz has already been re-signed. Cullen could be next, if Rutherford can squeeze him in. If the desire to continue playing is there for the 19-year veteran who has scored 35 points or more in eight of his last ten seasons, then there isn’t a better fit than a return to the Penguins. Verdict: Keep Playing
Marek Zidlicky: 39 years old, 16 pts in 2015-16
Zidlicky certainly knows the feeling of having to wait late into the off-season to find a taker for his services. He didn’t sign on with the Islanders last season until September 18th. He also knows that to keep your career alive at his age, you have to bounce around. Zidlicky played on a one-year deal last season with the Islanders, and split 2014-15 between the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings. So waiting to find the right team for another one-year deal is not something Zidlicky would struggle with. However, even though puck-moving defenseman seem to always be in demand, it seems like Zidlicky’s chances might have run out. At 38 years old, he managed to play in only 53 games, putting up the lowest point and ice time totals of his career. That alone would make it hard enough to find a team, but in a market where a 26-year-old with those same numbers (Luke Schenn) has to wait this far into free agency to sign, and younger possession defenseman like James Wisniewski, Kyle Quincey, and Matt Carle remain unsigned, Zidlicky is likely not a top consideration, even for the most D-needy teams. Verdict: Retire