Selanne, Niedermayer, and too many more?

Question

Why are all these players retiring while they're still great, and in Niedermayer's case in their prime??? I can understand Foppa not wanting to be on and off the IR, but look at some of these guys that are thinking about retiring. Niedermayer playoff MVP and tied for first in points by a D-man. Selanne third overall in goals this past season. Why do these guys want to quit? When did players become so obsessed with the ego that surrounds their "legacy" that they want to give up on what they love. Look at Chelios he's old yeah, but he loves hockey more than he loves him self so he's staying with it as long as they'll let him. I sincerely hope that players are remembered for they're skill while they were in their prime, their sportsmanship, and their respect for the game, not by what the last thing they ever did. Quitting while you’re ahead is great in poker, but this is hockey.

Bob Loblaw-good point if it's for thier families by all means they should retire.

as for going out with a bang vs. fading away i just don't see why. I would rather be able to remember twenty years in the NHL than have a hand full of people remember my ten.

Answer 1

You put up a good argument. If that is why they are leaving, then shame on them, but nobody but them selves really know what they are thinking. If they are leaving for the reasons Bob stated, then that is very understandable. Besides, they both probably have smoking hott wives they wanna get their hands on a lot more than playing hockey can permit.

Answer 2

they might't arise with the money for Selanne. in accordance to the NHLPA, Niedermayer's return (if dated January 1st) will upload very just about $3.5MM to Anaheim's cap. As of as we communicate, Anaheim's cap it truly is $40 5.4MM, so as that should carry them as much as $40 8.9MM leaving them $a million.4MM to sign a guy the NHLPA is pegging at $5MM a three hundred and sixty 5 days, so except they sign him in mid February, or a collection of folk re-paintings their contracts.........the money isn't there for Selanne. Bob - i understand, yet after the flow Kariya and Selanne pulled in 2003, and the strikes the NHLPA moved to close that hollow, something that Burke does (and if anybody can pull it off it is Burke) to get the two Selanne and Niedermayer is going to reek. And, i've got been asserting alongside that the two strikes (Selanne and Niedermayer) have been unrelated. Selanne announce only before final 3 hundred and sixty 5 days that it became probable his final 3 hundred and sixty 5 days. Niedermayer did no longer announce his decision till 10 months later. Niedermayer is below contract and that handcuffed the geese, nor became any money earmarked for him.

Answer 3

It is better to retire too early, then to hang on and go out too late.

Selanne has said many times over the last 4-5 years that he wants to go back to Finland, be close to his family and friends, and live a 'peaceful' life. He's 37 years old, well past his prime, and he wants to retire while he's still in one piece. In 2006 he bought 3000 acres of property north of Helsinki, let him enjoy it.

Scott Niedermayer has won everything there is to win, he has nothing left to play for. He too has a family, has all the money he needs, and still has his health. He's also enjoyed a 14 year career.

Regardless of whether they decide to retire or to keep playing, the decision is theirs, not ours. Do you think hockey fans are glad that Mario Lemieux retired (40 yrs old)? or Patrick Roy (37 yrs old)? or Wayne Gretzky (38 yrs old)? They weren't. Chris Chelios loves the game, and continues to play at a high level. But it his choice to play. Scott Niederlayer loves the game, and continues to play at a high level, but it his choice to retire. YOu can't fault either man for doing what THEY think is best for their lives. Only Gordie Howe can play forever.

Answer 4

I agree that most of these players are in their prime...but its best if their careers do die early.

Look at all the good rock stars... if Jimi Hendrix didn't overdose and die after only 3 years in the spot light would he be so famous? What about comedian Chris Farley....he was funny as all hell but if he kept going and grew old...eventually he would not be funny anymore and no one would like him...

If these guys stay in the NHL spotlight for too long...we'd get bored of their greatness and the players would fizzle out.

Its for the best that we remember these guys in their prime...not as old men with gray beards...Niedermayer... : )

Plus these guys aren't quiting hockey....they're moving on to other things....Like Teemu who most likely will be playing for the Finns.

Answer 5

Unlike Chelios Teemu and Scott's wives want them around the house more ..oooohhh!!! LOL I love rippin' on him!


Teemu has said for a # of yrs now he'd like to retire on top and spend more time w/family..the wife is pg again..4th kid.

Scott told S,Stevens that he's not going to be in the NHL if he thinks it's time to go. He has 4 SC..one w/his brother...which is awesome..I think since he's won that much and he's not a scramblebrain he should stop and enjoy life.

Answer 6

These guys make huge dough and give up a lot of their lives trying to get to the big leagues and they get to a point where they want to see their family and watch the kids grow up. I might do the same. For Neidermeyer he has nothing left to prove.

Answer 7

DC- While you equate it with having big egos, I look at it as being big men. These guys have families and children and to walk away from the game they love to watch their children grow up isn't something to chatise them for.
In Neidermayer's case, he saw what playing too long did to Scott Steven's, I think he is still suffering from post concussion. To walk away from millions a winner, with lots of money to raise your kids is something so unselfish, it should be applauded. These guys aren't thinking of themselves or the fans, they are thinking about who they should be thinking about- their family.

Answer 8

is it better to go out with a bang than fade away? the last person said better to go out with a bang, but i disagree. even if your career does end up fading away and you are great, you can break records along the way of fading out, for example (and to jump sports) barry bonds. he's fading away but he broke the all time home run record by just hanging in and playing every day.

Answer 9

i think that some guys dont relize how much it takes out of them to win the cup. gretzky said one time about how when they lost to the islanders in the final, how exhausted the islanders were that they were not even partying, just sitting there with icebags on their bodies. i think alot of guys want to go out on top. thank god alot of guys want to win it over and over and keep playing. there will always be the guys that say well.........