Eurolanche

Hejduk: One year break or retirement?

Milan Hejduk was rewarded for his great career in the last season when he was named on the captain position. He could not even gain 40 points in 81 games and mostly played in the bottom lines. In spite of his worst NHL season he decided to continue and signed one year contract again. The lockout is going to start today. It is not sure what will be with Milan, if the lockout hit the whole season. His health condition is at good level. He does not want to risk anywhere, nor at the next Olympics or world championship. NHL is his only priority. “It would have to be something interesting for me to go somewhere,” said Hejduk in the interview for Eurolanche in August at the meeting where was also Jan Hejda. “I maybe will not play. I will stay in Denver.”

Hejduk believes the lockout will not last the whole season 2012/13. If he is no right, the one year break would skip his career. What would happen to him in this case? The worst possible scenario now. Milan is in the very good condition, negative rumors are not true. Actually, if the Avs management did not have interest in him months ago, Hejduk openly admitted he would try to play for other NHL team. The fact he feels good on the NHL level is positive for his confidence. But nobody can say what one year break could do to older player like Milan is.

Milan is not alone on the list “dead lockout”. Daniel Alfredsson said he knows he probably played his last NHL game. Will it be the same for Teemu Selanne or Martin Brodeur? One year break will definitely ends some great hockey careers. Maybe they were thinking about one more year, one more tries for the Cup, but lockout has solved it. It could happen to Hejduk too.

Where other Avalanche players will play, if there is a lockout?

• Paul Stastny
• Semyon Varlamov
• Jan Hejda