J.S. Giguere, last active Hartford Whaler in NHL, 'leaning' toward retirement
Jean-Sebastien Giguere was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the first round of the 1995 NHL Draft. After playing eight games for the Whale during the 1996-97 season, he was dealt to the Calgary Flames.
Almost 20 years later, Giguere is still an NHL player, but possibly not for much longer.
The 36-year old Giguere's contract runs out after season and with the Colorado Avalanche having Semyon Varlamov signed long-term and recently acquiring Reto Berra, who could ink a multi-year deal before he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, the end could be near for the former Whaler.
"Not 100 percent sure, but definitely leaning that way," he said of retirement."You have to be honest with yourself, and (the end of the season) might be the time. But I don't want to talk about that right now. It's not the time or place."
Giguere is the last active Hartford Whaler playing in the NHL. Chris Pronger, their first pick in 1993, hasn't officially retired, but is done playing. As Nick Vucic points out, Craig Adams was drafted by the franchise in 1996, but never suited up for Hartford, beginning his career in 2000-01 with the Carolina Hurricanes. Hnat Domenichelli and Sami Kapanen, two other former Whalers, have kicked around in Europe, with Kapanen retiring this week after five years with KalPa of the SM-liiga.
According to the Post, Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy has slated the Montreal-native to start their game next week against the Canadiens as a nice little retirement gift.
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is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
