Productive NHL Players Most Likely to Retire After the 2016-17 Season

NHL players who survive in the league past age 35 are made up of two types: all-time greats who are still playing at a high level and role players who have found a way to be useful well past their due date.

Several role players are still providing valuable play—such as Matt Cullen of the Pittsburgh Penguins—but a poor season may mean the end of the line. The most valuable and rare players are still able to provide quality play in the big, important parts of the game—such as Jaromir Jagr of the Florida Panthers. These players can write their own script, and predicting retirement is a moving target.

Here are eight productive NHL players who are most likely to retire after the 2016-17 season.

8. Alex Tanguay, LW, Free Agent

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What Kind of Player Was He at His Peak? Alex Tanguay was one of the best offensive wingers of the early part of this century, posting point totals of 77, 48, 67, 79, 78 and 81 in consecutive seasons early in his career. He was known for excellent passing skills and creativity.

What Kind of Player Is He Now? Tanguay has slowed from his peak, but those hands remain—he scored 13 points in 18 games after being traded to the Arizona Coyotes late last year. His even-strength offense is still worth employing.

Signs He's Near the End: We are well into September, and Tanguay is without a contract—that is a sure sign of a downward slide. There is every chance he receives an invite and earns a deal, but this is an indicator he is nearing the end of a fine career.

7. Matt Cullen, F, Pittsburgh Penguins

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What Kind of Player Was He at His Peak? Matt Cullen of the Pittsburgh Penguins was a fairly complete player in his prime. He offered a two-way skill set and could play in all three disciplines of the game—and at any forward position.

What Kind of Player Is He Now? Cullen has lost much of his offense, and the speed has eroded—although he can still skate well. He is an extreme value contract at this point in his career. 

Signs He's Near the End: Cullen will turn 40 in November and is one poor season away from the end of his NHL career. The Penguins are an excellent fit because the requirements of the job—14 strong minutes per night—are a perfect fit for his skills. If he is back for another year in 2017-18, bet on his having had a strong run this coming season.

6. Mike Fisher, C, Nashville Predators

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What Kind of Player Was He at His Peak? Mike Fisher of the Nashville Predators was a rugged two-way player and aggressive checker at the peak of his career. His style and presence on the ice have always given him extra value.

What Kind of Player Is He Now? He remains a leader on his team, but the numbers are sliding markedly. Injuries have been a factor, and his point total has gone from 49 to 39 to 23 in consecutive seasons. He continues to be a solid possession player, though, according to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com. 

Signs He's Near the End: Fisher's current cap hit is $4.4 million, and his contract runs out at the end of this season. He needs a strong offensive recovery if he is to remain in the same salary range, and there is a chance that Fisher—at age 36—could be entering his final NHL season.

5. Dennis Wideman, D, Calgary Flames

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What Kind of Player Was He at His Peak? Dennis Wideman was an effective two-way defender who posted impressive offensive seasons. Over a seven-year period, he delivered 50 or more points twice, along with two more seasons of 40 or more points.

What Kind of Player Is He Now? He fell off badly offensively last season, going from 56 to 19 points. Part of the issue came from a reduction in games played due to injury and suspension, but he was not the same player last season. 

Signs He's Near the End: Wideman is in the final year of his contract, and his cap hit—$5.25 million per year—is going to take a major hit next time. Injuries are also a factor, so there is a chance he decides not to return to the game after this coming season.

4. Brian Gionta, RW, Buffalo Sabres

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What Kind of Player Was He at His Peak? Brian Gionta of the Buffalo Sabres was an impact offensive player in his prime, posting a monster 89-point season coming out of the lockout in 2005-06.

What Kind of Player Is He Now? Gionta settled in as a fine two-way winger with 20-goal potential annually. After that phase of his career, Gionta's offense eroded a little more, but he remained effective in the role. 

Signs He's Near the End: Gionta is in the final year of his deal, and at age 37 his point total has been going downward three seasons in a row. A recovery season is possible, and based on his ability to reinvent himself, it might even be likely. However, Gionta has already gotten so much out of his career, and age is the major consideration.

3. Shane Doan, RW, Arizona Coyotes

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What Kind of Player Was He at His Peak? Shane Doan of the Arizona Coyotes was a complete player at his peak capable of impacting the game at all levels. His ability to score goals, play a bruising style and be responsible away from the puck made him a major part of the franchise for many years.

What Kind of Player Is He Now? Doan is less physical, although he is no fun to play against even at age 39—he will be 40 in October. His offense is less consistent now; the 28 goals from one year ago represent a major spike from his 14 tallies in 2014-15. 

Signs He's Near the End: Doan has played a physical game for a long time, so injuries over many years have cost him speed and consistency. It is a no-brainer for him to return after scoring 28 goals, but if he dips to 14 again in 2016-17, it may represent the end of a long and productive NHL career.

2. Mike Ribeiro, C, Nashville Predators

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What Kind of Player Was He at His Peak? Mike Ribeiro of the Nashville Predators was an impact playmaker at his peak who routinely posted assist totals of 45 or more. His slick passing and excellent vision made him a dynamic power-play contributor.

What Kind of Player Is He Now? Ribeiro can do the same things now as he did before, just not as often. He can still help a power play and—as Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com shows—can be productive at even strength. 

Signs He's Near the End: Ribeiro scored just seven goals last year, the lowest total in his career for a full season. His contract runs out at the end of the year, and he will be 37 in February. Another productive year probably gets him a contract, but a slide in points may mean he does not return.

1. Jaromir Jagr, RW, Florida Panthers

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What Kind of Player Was He at His Peak? Jaromir Jagr was one of the best players to ever play the game when he was at his peak. As is the case with every impact player, his peak seasons stretched out over more than a decade.

What Kind of Player Is He Now? With the exception of speed, the Jagr of today is remarkably similar to the one of the past. He is a fantastic even-strength scorer, owns the puck for extended periods, is an expert passer and is difficult to remove from the slot. 

Signs He's Near the End: Age is the main item—he will be 45 in February—with reduced speed being a secondary concern. The truth is Jagr could probably play for another couple of years or more if he is so inclined. As long as his desire to play the game remains and his production is enough to keep him among the top 25 scorers in a season, Jagr can write his own story.