While the NHL is enjoying a golden age of high-flying rookies fighting tooth and nail to make their names, a few members of the old guard are nearing the end.
It's never easy to watch the heroes of past decades wind their careers down, but competing against the new wave of elite young talent on a nightly basis serves as a clear reminder that the NHL remains a young man's game.
With that in mind, here are a trio of veterans heading into the final chapter of their careers:
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
The monstrous captain of the Boston Bruins has established himself as a presence like none other over his nearly 20-year career. Such is the case when you hit the ice at 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds.
Zdeno Chara has been a dominant force throughout his time in the NHL, finishing near or above 40 points on 11 different occasions while dishing out over 1,400 hits. Of course, he also snagged a Norris Trophy along the way (in 2009) and lifted the Stanley Cup (in 2011).
At age 39, it's clear Chara is on the final legs of an exceptional career on the blue line. Next season is the last on his current deal with the Bruins, and at age 40, 2017-18 could very well be his final go-round in the big leagues.
Jarome Iginla, Colorado Avalanche
Few players to ever suit up in the NHL have embodied their role as flawlessly as Jarome Iginla, who's been the definition of "power forward" throughout his two decades on the ice.
The Colorado Avalanche winger and longtime Calgary Flames captain already ranks as one of the game's most gifted goal-scorers - his 617 career tallies sit 16th in the history books. With just nine more goals, he'll pass his current general manager Joe Sakic on that list, finishing his career in the top 15.
Set to enter unrestricted free agency at age 40, it's unclear whether Iginla is willing to hold on for another shot at the Cup. If a genuine contender comes calling, perhaps another season is in order. But either way, it seems the historic sniper's final game isn't too far off.
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
One of the finest playmakers of his generation, San Jose Sharks veteran Joe Thornton still seems to fly under the radar as one of the game's best, despite already ranking 24th among the NHL's all-time scorers.
Perhaps his most impressive performance - aside from his 96-assist, 125-point effort in 2005-06, which netted him the Hart and Art Ross trophies - was last season. At age 36, Thornton turned back the clock and finished fourth in league scoring and second in assists, converting at a point-per-game pace.
He clearly isn't ready to hang them up just yet, but considering he's playing out the final year of his deal in San Jose, the veteran has some tough decisions ahead of him as he navigates what will likely be the final contract negotiation of his career.
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