Biggest Retirements of the NHL Offseason
The offseason is an exciting time in the NHL. From big signings to blockbuster trades to the NHL Draft, fans around the globe clamor for their team to adjust and improve. One aspect of the offseason that’s tragic but real is players retiring. All the NHL greats had to retire, and we often see this during the offseason. While many offseasons have had groundbreaking retirements with superstars hanging up their skates, this offseason has been relatively quiet in the realm of retirements. However, there are still key players retiring this offseason, such as Blake Wheeler, Anton Khudobin, and Kyle Clifford.
Blake Wheeler
Blake Wheeler began his lengthy NHL career, drafted fifth overall in 2004 by the Phoenix Coyotes but never playing a game for them, Wheeler instead found his path through the Boston Bruins, where he debuted, before ultimately carving his legacy in Winnipeg for the Jets. There, he became the face of the Jets' return to relevance, serving as captain for several seasons and embodying the team’s identity: tough, relentless, and quietly skilled. A powerful skater with a keen playmaker’s eye, Wheeler eclipsed the 900-point mark in his career, often finding himself among the league’s assist leaders during his prime. Though he never lifted the Stanley Cup, his leadership, durability, and consistent production earned the respect of teammates and opponents alike. After a short stint with the New York Rangers and a final campaign that quietly closed the curtain on nearly two decades of high-level hockey, Wheeler announced his retirement, leaving behind a career built not on flash but on unshakeable work ethic, loyalty, and a calm command of the game.
Anton Khudobin
Anton Khudobin’s NHL journey was one of perseverance, charm, and clutch performances that carved him a niche far beyond what draft projections ever promised. Selected 206th overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2004, Khudobin’s path to the spotlight was long and winding, filled with backup roles, AHL assignments, and quiet seasons spent in the shadows of bigger names. Yet when called upon, he never flinched. With his acrobatic style, quick reflexes, and infectious energy, Khudobin became a beloved figure in locker rooms across the league from Boston to Carolina, Anaheim, and most memorably, Dallas. It was with the Stars in the 2020 NHL Playoffs that he etched his name into hockey lore, stepping in as a starter and backstopping Dallas to the Stanley Cup Finals with a dazzling performance that captured the league’s attention. His rallying cry, “We’re not going home!” became symbolic of his career and a testament to his resilience and refusal to be overlooked. After years of tireless service, mentorship, and quiet excellence, he retired having left a legacy not of records or trophies, but of heart, humility, and unforgettable heroics when it mattered most.
Kyle Clifford
Kyle Clifford’s NHL career was defined not by dazzling skill or highlight-reel goals but by a gritty, unrelenting devotion to the game that earned him the respect of teammates and fans across the league. Drafted 35th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2009, Clifford broke into the NHL as a teenager and quickly established himself as a fearless enforcer with a team-first mentality. He played the game with a raw, physical edge, never shying away from a fight, a blocked shot, or a hard check in the corners. His role was never glamorous, but it was vital. This is especially true during the Kings’ golden era, where he played a small but important supporting part in their Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014 as a young enforcing wing. Clifford brought the same brand of blue-collar hockey to Toronto, St. Louis, and later back to the Kings and the AHL, mentoring younger players and setting the tone in locker rooms with his professionalism and grit. As the league evolved and the role of the traditional enforcer faded, Clifford adapted as best he could, always finding ways to contribute. When he finally hung up his skates, he did so as a two-time champion and a model of what it means to sacrifice personal glory for team success. He's quietly leaving the game with the same toughness and humility he brought to it every night.
As the dust settles on another NHL offseason filled with trades, signings, and fresh faces from the draft, the quieter, more somber reality of retirement lingers in the background. Every great player eventually takes their final shift, and it marks the end of meaningful careers. Players like Blake Wheeler, Anton Khudobin, and Kyle Clifford have officially stepped away from the game, each leaving behind a unique legacy built on perseverance, leadership, and heart. Their absence serves as a quiet reminder that while the league moves forward, it does so on the shoulders of those who paved the way.
