A trio of longtime NHL defensemen, with a combined 53 seasons, announced their retirements Tuesday.
P.K. Subban of the Devils revealed on social media he was leaving the league after 13 seasons, on the same day the Islanders’ Zdeno Chara posted on Instagram that he was hanging up his skates after 24 seasons.
Keith Yandle, a former Ranger who played 16 seasons and spent 2021-22 with the Flyers, announced his retirement on the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast. Yandle owns the NHL record for consecutive games played with 989, set this past Jan. 25 in a game against the Islanders.
PK Subban, who spent the last three seasons with the Devils, announced his NHL retirement on Tuesday. Getty ImagesChara, who turned 45 during this past season with the Islanders, signed a one-day deal to retire with the Bruins. The 6-foot-9 Chara, who won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman in 2008-09 with Boston, is the tallest player in NHL history.
The 33-year-old Subban, a three-time All-Star who won the Norris Trophy in 2012-13 with the Canadiens, spent the past three seasons with the Devils after seven years with Montreal and three with the Predators. Subban, whose complicated career includes a series of slew-foots and admirable philanthropy, had 115 goals and 352 assists in the regular season, adding 18 goals and 44 assists in 96 playoff contests.
Zdeno Chara, who finished his career with the Islanders last season, has retired from the NHL after 24 years. NHLI via Getty Images“I look forward to the road ahead, and the many exciting opportunities to come. I’m excited to share what those are with you all when the time comes!” wrote Subban, who has made appearances on ESPN as an analyst.
Chara started and ended his career with the Islanders, playing his first four seasons in Uniondale before one final season in 2021-22. The seven-time All-Star is best known for his 14-year run with the Bruins, with which he won a Stanley Cup in 2011. Chara made the playoffs 11 times with Boston, four times with the Senators and once with the Capitals, playing in 200 career playoff games. He finished his career with 680 regular-season points (209 goals, 471 assists) and 70 postseason points (18 goals, 52 assists).
“I am honored to return to TD Garden today to sign a one-day contract with the Boston Bruins and officially finish my career with the team that has meant so much to me and my family,” Chara wrote on Instagram.
“There are so many people that have helped contribute to my success, including all of you, and I look forward to properly thanking everyone this afternoon.”
Yandle, a fourth-round pick of the Coyotes in 2005, scored 619 points (103 goals, 516 assists) with 16 game-winning goals in 1,109 career games.
“The last year it’s one of those things I’ve been thinking about,” Yandle, 36, said on the podcast. “When that’s all you know in your life, to call it quits on it, to call it an end, it’s nerve-racking. You’re worried about what you’re going to do. Especially this time of the year, you’re ramping up for training camp.“The last couple weeks I’ve been at ease with it. Really enjoyed spending time with the family. …. I think for me I’m really at ease with it and looking forward to the next chapter.”
Yandle’s iron-man record likely won’t last long. Golden Knights forward Phil Kessel has played in 982 consecutive games.
— With Field Level Media
