The Detroit Red Wings’ veteran winger has opted to retire rather than play in the minors.
The news is sad, but not entirely surprising: after sixteen NHL seasons, winger Kirk Maltby will announce his retirement. With a full roster already set [and several players still vying for a spot on the fourth line], there wasn’t any room for Maltby. He was placed on waivers last week and made it through. GM Ken Holland gave Maltby the time to decide whether he wanted to continue playing, albeit in the minors, or retire.
He has chosen the latter.
Maltby was drafted 65th overall in the 1992 draft by the Edmonton Oilers. He played two and a half seasons with the Oilers before being traded to the Red Wings for defenseman Dan McGillis. In his thirteen and a half seasons wearing the Winged Wheel, Maltby became a core player. He was a member of The Grind Line, alongside team mate and friend Kris Draper and Joe Kocur, and then Darren McCarty replaced Kocur after the 1998 season.
With the...
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