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NHL: Is it time for Joe Thornton and Eric Staal to hang up the skates?

Two of the game’s great players are still unsigned well after the opening of Free Agency almost two weeks ago. Both Joe Thornton and Eric Staal have a combined 40 years of NHL experience between them, and are well into the backend of their respective careers.

One has to ask, is it time for them to hang the skates up?

Eric Staal has been on a steep decline

Staal was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes second overall in the 2003 Draft. This October, he will be turning 37 years-old as he tries to compete for an 18th NHL season.