5 NHL Veterans Who Could Be Taking Their Final Lap This Season
Corey Perry, right winger with Team Canada, embraces Russian President Vladimir Putin after winning the gold medal during the 2016 IIHF World Championship Final. Photo by the Press Service of the President of Russia
Written By Gina Anton
Every NHL season brings the possibility of saying goodbye to some of the game's biggest names. While none of these players have officially announced their retirement, each has reached a point in their career where the 2026-27 season could be one of their last. Here are five veterans worth watching this year.
1. Alex Ovechkin – Washington Capitals
Entering his 21st NHL season, Ovechkin has appeared in 1,573 regular-season games, all with Washington. After becoming the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer and winning countless trophies, the 40-year-old has said he'll wait until after the season to decide his future, making this a potentially historic final chapter. Whether he returns or not, every game will carry extra significance for Capitals fans.
2. Brent Burns – Colorado Avalanche
Burns is preparing for his 23rd NHL season after skating in 1,579 career games, the most among active NHL players. Few players have embodied durability like the Norris Trophy winner, who continues to extend one of the longest consecutive games-played streaks in NHL history. At 41, Burns remains an effective defenseman, but every season now feels like it could be his last.
3. Evgeni Malkin – Pittsburgh Penguins
Now entering his 20th NHL season, Malkin has played 1,269 regular-season games, all with the Penguins. As three-time Stanley Cup champion, Malkin has been one of the league's premier centers for nearly two decades. Injuries have become more common, but "Geno" continues to produce when healthy. As Pittsburgh transitions toward a younger core, this season could mark the end of an unforgettable Hall of Fame career.
4. Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins
Crosby begins his 21st NHL season with 1,420 career games under his belt. A three-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time Hart Trophy winner, and two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team Canada, Crosby has built one of the most decorated careers in NHL history. Still playing at an elite level at 39 years old, he remains the face of the Penguins and one of hockey's greatest ambassadors. Even if this isn't his final season, every year with Crosby feels increasingly significant as his legendary career winds down.
5. Corey Perry – Los Angeles Kings
Perry enters his 21st NHL season having played 1,464 regular-season games. The former Hart Trophy winner has reinvented himself as a valuable depth forward and proven playoff contributor. Perry has enjoyed an outstanding international career with Team Canada, winning Olympic gold (2010, 2014), World Championship gold (2016), World Cup of Hockey gold (2016), and World Junior Championship gold (2005), making him one of the few members of hockey's prestigious Triple Gold Club. After more than two decades in the NHL, retirement is now a realistic possibility.
Final Thoughts
Whether this is the end or simply another chapter, these five veterans have helped define an era of NHL hockey. This season gives fans another opportunity to appreciate some of the league's most accomplished players before the next generation fully takes center stage.
