Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski reportedly said “this is it for me” and while it is not an official retirement announcement, he has known for a long time that this was his last year and that the “plan is not to play next season,” according to Taylor Baird of NHL.com.

Joe Pavelski has been with the Stars for the past five seasons after a long stint with the San Jose Sharks as well, and he was hoping to add a Stanley Cup championship to his resume this season. The Stars were unable to get over the hump, losing in six games in the Western Conference Final to the Edmonton Oilers. Dallas had the talent to contend for the Stanley Cup, but ultimately was unable to win.

Pavelski just wrapped up his age 39 season, and while it is not an official retirement announcement, it seems like a formality that that will come at some point in the near future. This would end a successful five-year run with the Stars. He was a vital part of Dallas contending and going deep into the playoffs in recent memory, despite not getting over the hump and winning the Stanley Cup.

Look at Joe Pavelski’s career

In his 18 seasons in the NHL, Pavelski has scored 476 goals along with 592 assists for 1,068 points in 1,332 career games, according to Hockey Reference. He appeared in one All-Star game. While it is not the production of an all-time great, Pavelski has put together a very strong career that should be remembered fondly. He likely will be loved by the Stars and Sharks fanbases for his contributions to both franchises.

Pavelski came into the NHL in 2006-07 with the Sharks. He spent 13 seasons in San Jose, and his best three-year stretch came in 2013-2016. In each of those three seasons, Pavelski had over 70 points, (79, 70 and 78), according to Hockey Reference. In 2016, the Sharks made the Stanley Cup Final with Pavelski as a key contributor, losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.

After the 2018-2019 season, Pavelski signed with the stars, which started the five-year run he had with that franchise. In his first season, he did not produce as much, putting up 31 points in 67 games, according to Hockey Reference. Luckily, Pavelski aged well and produced more as he got familiar with the Stars. In his second season, he took a leap and put up 51 points, then took an even bigger leap in his third season by putting up 81 points in 2021-22. That ended up being his best season with the Stars. The following year, Pavelski put up 77 points, and then this past season put up 67.

If this truly is it for Pavelski, he should be remembered well for being a productive player for a long period of time.