10 NHL Veterans Who Most Need to Retire

Every NHL player's career must end, and for the following guys, that conclusion needs to come sooner rather than later.

Whether it be advanced age, an injury-riddled career, a lack of production or possibly some variation of all three, every player has a reason to stop lacing up their skates.

So, which current veterans most need to call it quits after this season? Are they superstars or average Joes?

Let's take a look at the list of 10 NHL players most in need of a retirement ceremony to find out.

10. Andy Sutton

Andy Sutton has never played a full 82-game NHL campaign. 

It makes sense then that his best season was also the one in which he managed to play 76 games. In 2005-06, Sutton scored eight goals and 17 assists for a total of 25 points.

Over the last six seasons, he has never managed more than 12 points and has been regulated to an enforcer/shot-blocker role.

This is not a detriment to his game, but it definitely takes its toll on an athlete.

At 36 years old, Sutton could potentially leg out a few more seasons, only if he is willing to continue his grinder-type role.

The smarter choice may be to move on from a 13-year career spent with seven different franchises.

9. Ed Jovanovski

Ed Jovanovski is the first of two Florida Panthers on this list.

"Jovo," as he is affectionately known throughout the league, has played in the NHL since 1995-96.

He has always been a great player, knowing how to perfectly blend scoring, hitting and special teams play.

Jovanovski's best offensive campaign came in 2007-08 with the Phoenix Coyotes, when he scored 12 goals and added 39 assists.

His production has dropped in every year since that campaign. He had just two goals and six assists in 48 games this season.

The fact that he chose to return to Florida this season (the place where his career began) may prove to be a sign that he is ready to retire.

8. Roman Hamrlik

Roman Hamrlik broke into the NHL when he was a mere teenager.

Now, at 37 years old, Father Time seems to have sneaked up on Hamrlik rather quickly.

The Washington Capitals defenseman has just two goals and eight assists this season. A far cry from the 40 points he was averaging at the pinnacle of his career.

Since his rookie year in 1992-93, Hamrlik has been a member of six NHL teams, and it appears this journeyman has finally reached his end.

7. Chris Pronger

Chris Pronger is currently out indefinitely with a concussion and to have knee surgery.

Perhaps it's best that he doesn't come back.

Pronger has had a great career, maybe even a Hall of Fame worthy one, and he has logged an astounding 18 seasons.

The 6'6", 214-pound defenseman has always been a force on the blue line and will probably be best remembered for the nine years he spent with the St. Louis Blues.

In that time, the Blues were a constant playoff presence, and Pronger could be counted on for an average of 40 points.

He has still been a solid player in his advanced years, but with such serious injuries in front of him, it would seem to be in his best interest to stay off the ice for good.

6. Mike Knuble

Doesn't it just seem like Mike Knuble has been around forever?

After breaking into the league with the Detroit Red Wings in 1996-97 (and winning back-to-back Stanley Cups to begin his career), Knuble didn't really hit his statistical stride until around 2002-03 with the Boston Bruins.

In that season. he scored 30 goals and 29 assists and made the rest of the league take notice of his skill.

Knuble has posted 50 points four additional times since that season, but recently, his numbers have rapidly declined.

In 57 games this season, the 39-year-old right winger has just three goals and nine assists.

His plus/minus also stands at a minus-16, but that may be more due to the Washington Capitals' poor play this season than his own performance.

At any rate, Knuble is in his 15th NHL season, and the end is clearly approaching.

5. Martin Brodeur

Martin Brodeur is a Hall of Fame goaltender.

Having said that, it is fair to admit that his time has passed.

Brodeur once had 10 consecutive seasons of at least 70 games started. He had just 54 last year.

The Devils netminder has not had a .920 save percentage in four years, and his GAA (goals-against average) has risen in each of the last three years.

The man has played in 19 seasons, so a drop-off had to occur at some point, and it seems that point has arrived.

Brodeur will go down as one of the best to ever play the game, made all the better by the fact that he spent his entire career with one organization.

4. John Madden

Here is that other Panther I was talking about.

John Madden has never been a standout star in the NHL. The unfortunate truth is that he is often overshadowed solely because he shares a name with a legendary NFL coach and broadcaster.

But that does not mean Madden should go without recognition.

He was a consistent presence for the New Jersey Devils for a decade and could always be counted on for somewhere around 15 goals and 20 assists.

It even seemed like he may have a few years left in him after productive seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild, respectively.

Then he became a Florida Panther.

Madden has been non-existent this season, playing in just 16 games and registering zero points. Yes, I said zero.

Perhaps this is just an off year, but logic says that his 38-year-old body has finally caught up to him.

3. Jaroslav Spacek

Jaroslav Spacek has been hit or miss in terms of production for the duration of his career.

His best season came in 2008-09 with the Buffalo Sabres when he scored 45 points and played in 80 games.

The problem is that his stats have dropped consistently in the last three years, and Spacek is now a shell of his former self.

He has just three goals and nine assists so far in the 2011-12 campaign and has played in only 39 games.

After 13 seasons and seven different franchises, the 38-year-old defenseman is clearly at the end of his rope.

2. Brian Rolston

There was a time in Brian Rolston's career when 30 goals and 30 assists was expected.

In fact, in 2005-06 with the Minnesota Wild, he had a career-high 79 points, but that time has come and passed.

Rolston has just four goals and five assists this season and has posted a plus/minus rating of minus-12.

Like Jaroslav Spacek, Rolston is a journeyman of sorts, having played for five different NHL clubs. At 39 years old, his body certainly isn't doing him any favors, either.

It may be time for his underrated career to quietly come to a close.

1. Dwayne Roloson

Dwayne Roloson is 42 years old.

"Rolo" has played for six different clubs over the course of his 14-year career.

Whether a starting goaltender or a backup, he has always been productive between the pipes, earning 20 wins four different times.

Unfortunately, that production has ceased to exist this year. Roloson has just eight wins in 22 starts and has posted an .880 save percentage.

Kudos to him for having such a lengthy NHL run, but it is definitively time for him to walk away from the game.

"Rollie the goalie" needs to retire and make way for the next generation of goaltenders.