Both players are coming off Stanley Cup Final appearances and will be heading to the golf course unless their clubs use a retirement save.
Jason Spezza and Brandon Dubinsky have announced plans to retire from BEARD Hockey on Saturday, bringing lengthy albeit quite different careers to a possible close after both appeared in the Stanley Cup Final - with Dubinsky earning a ring in the process.
These retirements are of course pending the use of a retirement save, which Canadiens GM Lennart Westman and Oilers GM Dean Richter may use next month to retain Spezza's and Dubinsky's respective services for one additional season.
Spezza had a fine 2020-21 campaign, contributing 15 goals and 19 assists while winning nearly 58% of his faceoffs in his possibly final season in BEARD Hockey. The former 2nd overall pick in the 2001 Entry Draft has appeared in nearly 1,200 NHL games with 970 points in his NHL career.
"I know we fell just short this year, but it was a great ride" said Spezza, who would be leaving one additional year and $2 million for the season on the table if Montreal doesn't use their retirement save. "I've been fortunate to be in this league for quite some time, and after this deep run, I'll be content if this is the end of the road."
Dubinsky contributed 9 goals and 5 assists while winning over 50% of his faceoffs in his possibly final season in BEARD Hockey. He has appeared in over 800 NHL games with 438 points in his NHL career.
"To get to win the Cup this year, especially here in Edmonton, it just puts everything in perspective," said Dubinsky, who was due to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if Edmonton used their retirement save. "I've been in this league a long time, and to reach this moment, I can't think of a better way to ride off into the sunset."