What was first reported in the New York Post earlier this month, is now confirmed. Kevin Klein is retiring from the NHL. The most likely path for the 32-year-old defenseman moving forward appears to be a career in Europe.
Klein spent the first chapter of his NHL career in the Predators organization until being traded to the New York Rangers. In the midst of his five-year, $14.5 million contract, he was sent to New York in exchange for defenseman Michael Del Zotto. Klein and his $2.9 million cap hit were a welcome addition to the Rangers, as the right-handed defenseman exceeded expectations early on.