5 players who could retire after 2017-18 season

Make sure you pay close attention this season because it might be the last time we ever see some of the league's greats suit up.

As is always the case, Father Time finally catches up to some players while younger players look to take their spots. In the end, older players have to come to terms that their time in the league is over, and this year is no exception.

With that, here are five players who could retire at the end of the 2017-18 season:

Joe Thornton

Thornton signed a hefty one-year, $8-million deal in July, which will likely be his last with the San Jose Sharks.

The 38-year-old tallied a respectable 50 points last season, but just seven goals - three of which were into empty nets. His speed - which has never been his strongest asset - is starting to go and the Sharks are beginning to transition into a younger team.

His future could depend on whether he's able to rebound from last season, but given his age that seems unlikely.

Joel Ward

After a 2015-16 season that saw him tally his second 20-goal campaign, Ward's follow-up year with the Sharks had him amass just 10 goals and 29 points in 78 games.

Ward will turn 37 in December and has just one year left on his three-year, $9.825-million deal. The right-winger took 33 fewer shots than the previous season and also played fewer minutes per game.

Much like Thornton, a future contract past this season will likely depend on this year's production.

Kevin Bieksa

With one year remaining on his contract, his age, and the Anaheim Ducks abundance of talented you defensemen, Bieksa's days are likely numbered.

The club has the likes of Hampus Lindholm, Josh Manson, and Brandon Montour quickly becoming important cogs on the Ducks' blue line, leaving Bieksa likely on the third pairing. Additionally, the team has offered Francois Beauchemin a professional tryout.

Bieksa still has some value, but he's slipping down the depth chart and that can only happen for so long before one must call it quits for good.

Zdeno Chara

Chara isn't any shorter, but he's taken a smaller role on the Boston Bruins blue line.

The 40-year-old is no longer the dominant force on the back end that helped him earned him a Norris Trophy back in 2009. Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand are quickly becoming the faces of the franchise and young defenders are quickly coming up the pipeline.

Torey Krug, Brandon Carlo, and Charlie McAvoy are poised to lead the Bruins' defense corps, and it might be time for Chara to hand over the reigns and ride off into the sunset.

Daniel and Henrik Sedin

Ok, technically this list has six players. But if one Sedin twin hangs up the skates, then you know the other one will follow suit.

Henrik and Daniel are entering the final year of their respective four-year, $28-million contracts. The 2016-17 season was the first campaign since 2006 that neither of them led the Vancouver Canucks in scoring.

The two have seen their point totals dip for two straight years and in the past have hinted at finishing their careers in Vancouver. Given the team's supposed new direction - as it rebuilds for the future - it's hard to envision two 36-year-olds being a part of that.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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