NHL Playoffs 2012: 10 Players Who May Retire at the End of the Playoffs

Not every player gets to choose when they retire.

It's a sobering fact that makes it all the sweeter when a guy like Mark Recchi gets a chance to win hockey's ultimate prize before hanging up the skates.

Not everyone on this list will win a Stanley Cup—or another Stanley Cup—before he retires, but as fans of the game, we sure wish it was possible because they all deserve one.

What follows is a list of ten players who, unfortunately for us, might retire at the end of this year's playoffs.

Adrian Aucoin

Adrian Aucoin is a well-traveled defenseman who has played in 1072 career NHL games with six different teams.

The 38-year-old had 10 goals and 35 points for the Calgary Flames back in 2007-08. His point totals then dropped to 34 the following season, 28 in 2009-10, 24 in 2010-11 and finally nine points this past season.

The once lethal offensive defenseman may have a few miles left in the tank, but his best days are clearly behind him.

Ray Whitney

Given the incredible year Ray Whitney has had with the Phoenix Coyotes, it's highly unlikely he'll retire.

The Coyotes might even be considering a raise over the $3 million the 39-year-old is currently making.

The Wizard had 24 goals and 77 points for Phoenix and was a plus-26, which is a remarkable statistic considering he doesn't play for the Boston Bruins.

A truly underrated player who doesn't get the attention he deserves.

Tomas Holmstrom

Tomas Holmstrom lives in front of the opposition's net and has lived there for a very long time.

The years he has spent getting shoved around in the crease and getting hit with pucks may finally be taking their toll on Homer.

His point total (24) was down from 2010-11 (37), his plus-minus got a bit worse (minus-six to minus-nine) and even his PIMs decreased from 62 in 2010-11 to 40 this past season.

That's 11 less goaltender interference penalties.

When you play like Homer does, you get hacked and slashed all the time, and there's only so much physical punishment of that nature a player can take.

Nicklas Lidstrom

Great Scott! This is the obligatory Nick Lidstrom slide.

We'll see ya again next year. Sound good?

Lidstrom did have his worst statistical season last year (11 goals, 34 points) since his 1994-95 campaign, where he only had 10 goals and 26 points.

Must be some faulty wiring in his flux capacitor. Given some rest, he'll be back to his 20-year-old self in no time.

Brian Rolston

In 49 games with the New York Islanders this past regular season, Brian Rolston had just four goals and nine points.

When he was traded to the Boston Bruins, he had three goals and 15 points in just 21 games.

His plus-minus obviously improved a lot as well.

Just when we thought Rolston's career was winding down, he shows us there's still some fire left.

He might not retire unless the B's repeat, which would make for yet another feel-good story in Stanley Cup history, but despite his late-season point production, you know he's no longer the player he once was.

When Rolston was signed to a four-year, $20.25 million in 2008, he was coming off a 31-goal, 59-point campaign with the Minnesota Wild.

Since then, he hasn't come close to those numbers.

John Madden

From NJ.com:

"

After playing last season with the Wild but getting no contract offers in the offseason, Madden figured his career might be over. But Panthers GM Dale Tallon, who had signed him in Chicago, called again.

“I was in Minnesota wondering if my career was over,” Madden said. “Now I’m in the playoffs again.”

"

Yet another feel-good story.

A few months ago, John Madden's hockey career looked to be over. The 2011-12 season had already begun, and until January, nobody had contacted him about a contract.

The Florida Panthers can be considered underdogs in their series against the New Jersey Devils, but even if they lose to the Devils, it will be a memorable experience for the veteran centreman.

He's the most likely of all the players listed in this slideshow to retire, and we're glad he could have at least one more playoff run before doing so.

Roman Hamrlik

After 13 straight seasons of 26 or more points, Roman Hamrlik managed just two goals and 13 points for the Washington Capitals this past year.

He's the only one on this list who is currently under contract for the 2012-13 season, but given his slowed production, it's at least a possibility that he'll decide to call it quits.

If it ever is about money for players, at age 38, it most certainly no longer is.

They may not be in identical situations, but you'll recall former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brian Rafalski decided to retire at the conclusion of the 2010-11 season despite having a year left on his contract worth $6 million.

Rafalski didn't slow down in terms of point production even at the tail end of his career, but Hamrlik has done so, which means these 2012 NHL playoffs could be Hamrlik's swan song.

Martin Brodeur

Marty Brodeur is an absolute joy to watch, and although he is without a contract for next year, there's still plenty of time for him and the New Jersey Devils organization to discuss the matter.

They might not need much time.

The negotiations will go something like this:

Lou Lamoriello: "Marty, still want to play?"

Brodeur: "Yup."

LL: "Good. Here's $5 million."

Frankly, Marty's only on this list because of his age. Looking at his play, although the decline has evidently started already, one can see he is still one of the top goalies in the league.

Johan Hedberg

It seems unlikely that the Moose will retire at the conclusion of the Devils' playoff run this year because although he is 38 years old, he knows his workload will not be heavy if he decides to return.

It's not like Brodeur, who has played 56 or more games in a season 15 times in his illustrious NHL career.

If you're Hedberg, you know you won't be playing more than 20 or so games.

And after yet another season of reliability from the Moose—he had a 17-7-2-4 record, a .918 save percentage and a 2.23 goals-against-average—there's no reason to believe he'll retire just yet.

Like Brodeur, he's really listed because of his age.

Mike Knuble

Like some of the others in this slideshow, Mike Knuble's production for 2011-12 dropped off quite a bit.

After eight consecutive seasons of scoring at least 20 goals and 40 points, the veteran forward managed just six goals and 18 points in 72 games this past year for the Washington Capitals.

He was also a personal- and team-worst minus-15, though the Caps did have a rough year, having spent a good chunk of the year as a bubble team.