3 veterans who could be taking their last shot at the Stanley Cup
The NHL playoffs can turn lifelong friends into temporary enemies, but one thing every hockey fan can agree on is how great it is watching a grizzled veteran hoist the Stanley Cup, knowing the chance may never come again.
From 36-year-old Calgary Flames co-captain Lanny McDonald lifting the trophy for the first time in 1989, to Ray Bourque finally winning the championship with the Colorado Avalanche to end his 22-year career, there have been plenty of memorable Cup moments involving veteran players.
Here's a trio of experienced NHLers who are likely taking their last shot at claiming hockey's Holy Grail in 2016.
Pavel Datsyuk
The 37-year-old Detroit Red Wings forward says he hasn't decided whether to return to Russia or remain in the NHL next season, after admitting he's considering going home to finish out his career.
Datsyuk doesn't have much left to prove in North America, with a pair of Stanley Cup championships, three Selke trophies and four Lady Byng awards in a 14-year NHL career.
The Magic Man still has his moments, though, and his revelatory statements over the weekend make it more evident than ever that it's time to savor every one of them while we still can.
Vincent Lecavalier
The Los Angeles Kings forward plans to retire at season's end, so unless he has a Datsyukian change of heart, this is it for Lecavalier.
The former Tampa Bay captain won the Cup with the Lightning in 2004, but it's eluded him since.
The Kings are always a threat to win come playoff time, and Lecavalier has shown occasional flashes of his former dominance since being traded to L.A. by the Philadelphia Flyers in January.
Willie Mitchell
The Florida Panthers captain hasn't played in months due to concussion symptoms that may force him into retirement.
Mitchell is skating with the team every day, and if he's able to play this spring, his mere presence will provide the Panthers' young core with some added motivation.
The 38-year-old won the Cup twice with the Kings, in 2012 and 2014, and could ride off into the sunset with a third championship if Florida is able to keep its regular-season momentum going with a title run.