Last Tuesday, Joe Pavelski announced to reporters that he is unlikely to play in the NHL for the 2024-25 season, indicating that the soon-to-be 40-year-old forward may have played his last game in the league.
“We’re still moving back at some point here, decompressing and figuring all this stuff out and logistics and stuff,” Pavelski said during the Dallas Stars’ end-of-season media availability. “I don’t want to say this is official, but the plan is not to be coming back.”
Throughout his illustrious 18-year career, Pavelski, who was selected in the seventh round of the renowned 2003 NHL Entry Draft, has amassed 476 goals and 592 assists, totaling 1,068 points across 1,332 regular-season games. He spent his career with both the Dallas Stars and the San Jose Sharks.
Pavelski’s achievements are not limited to the regular season. He has been a significant presence in the playoffs, participating in numerous deep postseason runs. His career includes two appearances in the Stanley Cup Final, in 2016 and 2020, and seven appearances in the Western Conference Finals.
On the recent episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk reflected on Pavelski’s career and debated whether he deserves a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Tyler Yaremchuk opened the discussion by noting that Pavelski’s comments strongly suggest he is retiring. Yaremchuk highlighted the forward’s exceptional dedication to the sport, acknowledging that although Pavelski’s career might end without a Stanley Cup, it remains extraordinary.
Frank Seravalli expressed his disappointment that Pavelski, a player who came so close to winning the Stanley Cup, may retire without a championship. Seravalli pointed out that Pavelski had two Stanley Cup Final appearances and reached the Conference Finals three times in the last five years with the Stars. Despite these near-misses, Pavelski continued to excel, improving with age, which is rare in professional sports. Seravalli noted Pavelski’s remarkable ability to transition from scoring around 30 points to achieving 81 points in his late 30s. He praised Pavelski as one of the best net-front players of his generation.
Seravalli concluded by stating that while he might not consider Pavelski a first-ballot Hall of Famer, he believes Pavelski deserves a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
For those interested in watching the full discussion, the segment and the entire episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE are available online.
In summary, Joe Pavelski’s potential retirement marks the end of a remarkable NHL career. With a legacy defined by consistent performance, leadership, and resilience, Pavelski leaves behind a record of impressive statistics and memorable playoff moments. His contributions to the Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks have cemented his reputation as one of the NHL’s most reliable and skilled forwards, and his potential induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame would be a fitting tribute to his career.
