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NHL Rumors: Legendary Patrice Bergeron retires, which 3 players could be next to hang up their skates?

By Marci Rubin

Dec 9, 2022; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2022; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 6, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Islanders left wing Zach Parise (11) against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Islanders left wing Zach Parise (11) against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Now that Patrice Bergeron has announced his retirement, NHL fans wonder which stars will be next to announce the end of their playing careers.

Boston Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron has announced that he is retiring from the NHL in a statement via NHL.com. “As I step away today, I have no regrets,” Bergeron said. “I have only gratitude that I lived my dream.”

The 38-year-old is a Stanley Cup Champion, six-time Selke Trophy winner, and he holds 1,040 career points. Bergeron played 19 seasons with the Bruins. The elite two-way forward spent his last three seasons as the Bruins’ captain following a long tenure as an alternate captain. He will certainly be missed in the game.

As one of the game’s greats steps away, retirement question marks shift to other players who remain undecided on their future. Here are three NHL players who could be next to announce their retirement.

Players who could retire next No. 3: Zach Parise

Zach Parise has had a long NHL career between three organizations: the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild, and New York Islanders. The winger was the captain of the Devils team that went to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012 before he departed to sign with his hometown team.

Parise will be 39 on July 28. While he’s been quiet on his decision, there’s been speculation that he will play one more season. Parise has been in the NHL for 18 seasons. He’s played in 1,224 games and has 879 career points.

If Parise decides to take one last ride, he’s likely to return to the Islanders. His teammates have been vocal about wanting him back, although they’ve given him space to make a decision.

At the end of the 2022-23 season, Parise expressed, “I think it would be here or nowhere,” regarding the Islanders. “That’s how I feel like that’d be.” Even though the Islanders are an older team in need of some youth, they’d likely welcome one last season from Parise.

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