Now that Patrice Bergeron has announced his retirement, NHL fans wonder which stars will be next to announce the end of their playing careers.
Boston Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron has announced that he is retiring from the NHL in a statement via NHL.com. "As I step away today, I have no regrets," Bergeron said. "I have only gratitude that I lived my dream."
The 38-year-old is a Stanley Cup Champion, six-time Selke Trophy winner, and he holds 1,040 career points. Bergeron played 19 seasons with the Bruins. The elite two-way forward spent his last three seasons as the Bruins' captain following a long tenure as an alternate captain. He will certainly be missed in the game.
As one of the game's greats steps away, retirement question marks shift to other players who remain undecided on their future. Here are three NHL players who could be next to announce their retirement.
Players who could retire next No. 3: Zach Parise
Zach Parise has had a long NHL career between three organizations: the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild, and New York Islanders. The winger was the captain of the Devils team that went to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012 before he departed to sign with his hometown team.
Parise will be 39 on July 28. While he's been quiet on his decision, there's been speculation that he will play one more season. Parise has been in the NHL for 18 seasons. He's played in 1,224 games and has 879 career points.
If Parise decides to take one last ride, he's likely to return to the Islanders. His teammates have been vocal about wanting him back, although they've given him space to make a decision.
At the end of the 2022-23 season, Parise expressed, "I think it would be here or nowhere," regarding the Islanders. "That's how I feel like that'd be." Even though the Islanders are an older team in need of some youth, they'd likely welcome one last season from Parise.
Players who could retire next No. 2: David Krejci
One of Bergeron's longtime teammates, David Krejci, is also contemplating retirement. The 37-year-old has played for the Bruins since 2006 aside from the 2021-22 season. He left the NHL to play in the Czech Republic for the 2021-22 season and then returned to Boston the following year.
The playmaking center won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011. He has played 1,032 NHL games and has 786 career points. There haven't been any recent updates on Krejci's status, but maybe hearing Bergeron's decision will lead Krejci to his own decision.
The Bruins will look different next year without Bergeron, and they could also lose Krejci to retirement or the Czech Republic. It sounds like if Krejci does return to the NHL next season, it will be with the Bruins. He could, however, still choose to play overseas. As the Bruins await Krejci's decision, they have to move forward with their plans as if he isn't returning.
Players who could retire next No. 1: Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Toews is a meaningful player in Chicago Blackhawks history. The three-time Stanley Cup Champion is known as an elite two-way center. The 35-year-old was the captain of the Blackhawks from 2008 to 2023. Toews has played 1,067 NHL games and has 883 career points.
Near the end of June, Frank Seravalli reported that Toews' agent Pat Brisson revealed that Toews was still contemplating his future.
The most recent Jonathan Toews update came early in July when Mark Spector revealed, "When his agency sent out its list of pending free agents, we are told his name was not even on the list."
With his agency not listing him as an available free agent, it seems likely Toews is leaning toward retirement.
Unlike the other two players on this list, there's no chance Toews returns to his former team. He always expected to retire with his longtime team, but he's left with a choice to make after the Blackhawks opted not to re-sign him. Toews was derailed by Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and long COVID in recent years. He can now either retire as a Blackhawk or continue his career with a different team. Although signs are pointing to retirement, Toews has yet to make an announcement.
Keep an eye out for news on these three players' futures. One of them could be next in line to hang up his skates.
