After a heartbreaking playoff elimination, veteran NHL player Joe Pavelski has hinted at his retirement after 18 illustrious seasons. Pavelski stated in his final media availability this season “It’s not officially official, but the plan is not to play next season” (Joe Smith, The Athletic.) 

A veteran leader presence and a reputation for being a nuisance around the crease, Pavelski concludes his career with 1,332 games played, scoring 476 goals and 1,068 points. He also played 201 career playoff games with 143 career playoff points and setting the record for American-born players by scoring 74 goals. He spent all his NHL tenure with Southwestern teams, 

With his last five in Dallas after signing in free agency, following 13 with the San Jose Sharks. While Pavelski may have never captured Lord Stanley, he made the finals in 2016 (San Jose lost to Pittsburgh in six games) and 2020 (Dallas lost to Tampa Bay in six games) and appeared in seven conference finals.  

Pavelski may have been a great performer, but it was his leadership that made a celebrated player and his retirement is sure to leave a hole in the Dallas Stars’ locker room. Teammates Tyler Seguin and Wyatt Johnston expressed their admiration for him and the loss that the team will feel during their final media availability, with Seguin saying “He’s meant everything to our group – on the ice, off the ice ... Just an amazing person to have in here” (via Lia Assimkopoulos, The Dallas Morning News.) 

This leaves all Dallas fans to wonder how the Stars will replace such a pivotal piece within their room. The answer will not be simple, as you cannot replace a player and leader of that caliber easily. With the anticipated departure of Pavelski, Dallas will gain $3.5 million in cap space, which can be distributed to their rising stars. The good news for Stars fans is that Logan Stankoven made an immediate impact in his debut to the NHL and is a promising candidate to slot into Pavelski’s 2-line Right Wing role and is on an entry level contract. This also gives Wyatt Johnston and Mason Marchment an opportunity on the 1st Powerplay Unit. Dallas also has the likes of Matej Blumel and Mavrik Bourque in their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, and could take this opportunity to join the parent club and make an impact.  

While Pavelski's retirement signals the end of an era within the NHL, the current reign of the Dallas Stars is not likely to retire along with him. As young players continue to take strides within the organization, their presence as a top tier team is here to stay.