NHL hockey is a young man's game. Most players leave the game through means other than their own choice—injury, erosion or playing for a disappointing team. If a player survives past 35 in today's NHL, he's a fitness freak and absolutely fighting against Father Time.
It's easy to assume productive players will remain that way but the truth is there are signs of downward performance everywhere. At some point, those productive players will be forced to make a decision: A lesser role, a lesser league, or retirement.
Here are nine productive NHL players most likely to retire at the end of the 2015-16 season.