Anaheim Ducks: Could a Cancelled Season End Teemu Selanne's Career?

With a collective bargaining agreement nowhere in sight and the likelihood of the entire NHL season being cancelled growing daily, Anaheim Ducks fans are beginning to question whether or not Teemu Selanne would play another season if he doesn't make it onto the ice in this calendar year.

Undoubtedly, it's not the way that Selanne would want to retire. Going into a season where he’s been quick and certain about the decision to play another year, it’s extremely disappointing to have that year yanked out from under him by the lack of a collective bargaining agreement. It’s perhaps the most anticlimactic way that Selanne could end his career, and I hope for his sake that he doesn’t have to do it that way.

Though it's hard to ignore the reality of how truly difficult it is to play in the NHL at his age. If Selanne were to play in the 2013-14 season, he would have turned 43 close to three months before the first game is scheduled to be played.

While there's no question that he is still in hockey shape, the fact that he'll have had more than an entire year off at that point would make it far more difficult for him to return. At that age, the risk level you put your body through increases, and the likelihood of injury goes up as well.

Add to that the conference re-alignment and the growing consensus that the Ducks are no longer Stanley Cup contenders, but rather, in a rebuilding phase, and you're left with what some might call "a good stopping point" for Selanne.

Whether or not he looks at it that way is anybody's guess. He's surprised us before, and there's no question that he can still skate hard and put up big numbers.

One thing is for sure: The man belongs in the hockey Hall of Fame, and he'll be there whether he plays one more season or not.

With a collective bargaining agreement nowhere in sight and the likelihood of the entire NHL season being cancelled growing daily, Anaheim Ducks fans are beginning to question whether or not Teemu Selanne would play another season if he doesn't make it onto the ice in this calendar year.