Detroit Red Wings: Henrik Zetterberg officially closes tenure as player
By Tyler Kotila
The last time that Henrik Zetterberg laced up the skates and donned the “C” for the Detroit Red Wings was in the 2017-18 season. It was April 7th, 2018, when the Red Wings fell to the New York Islanders in overtime.
The former Detroit Red Wings captain took the ice one final time and made the most of it. He had a goal and an assist on three shots on the night, a fitting way to close out one heck of a career. A fifteen-year career in the NHL, all of which were spent in Hockeytown playing for the Red Wings.
A pesky back injury would derail Zetterberg’s hopes of playing any longer than he did. The 2017-18 season marked the end of things after the injury proved fatal to his playing career, a tough way to go, and a real end of an era in Red Wings history.
The 2008 Stanley Cup Champion and Conn Smythe Winner was one of the Red Wings greats, and it was sad to see him go. Now ahead of the 2021-22 season, he officially ends his playing career, by the books, that is.
Detroit Red Wings great Henrik Zetterberg officially ends tenure as a player with the organization.
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In 2009 after the Stanley Cup championship, the Detroit Red Wings locked up one of their top one-two punch forwards for the long term.
He and Pavel Datsyuk were the centerpieces of this offense, and Zetterberg got his payday. He signed a 12-year, $73 million contract that carried all the way through the 2020-21 season.
Zetterberg carried a $6.083 million cap hit each of the twelve seasons, and that last payment of $6.083 million was carried out last season.
As the upcoming 2021-22 season gets closer, Zetterberg has officially finished out his contract and put the final seal on his playing career.
While it’s been three years, and Zetterberg has not been remotely close to getting back on the ice in a Red Wings uniform, the fine print of his retirement was the contract, and he is not officially off the books.
Not that the Red Wings really need the extra $6.083 million a year, but it’s something to note that Zetterberg has officially capped off his career. During his years taking the ice at Joe Louis Arena, Zetterberg was an integral part of this team and will always be a fan favorite.
The former captain finished his career with 1082 career games played in a Red Wings uniform, where he totaled 337 goals and 623 assists for 960 total points. One heck of a career and one heck of a player to watch.
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While his retirement came three years ago, Henrik Zetterberg’s contract is officially off the books. One more time, Congrats to Hank on one phenomenal career.