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[Report] Kevin Klein announces retirement


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Kevin Klein is calling it a career.

 

The New York Rangers announced the defenseman's retirement Friday morning.

 

A prepared statement from the longtime blue-liner followed shortly thereafter.

 

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Klein was limited to 60 regular-season games and one playoff contest this spring due to back problems.

 

The 32-year-old spent parts of four campaigns with the Rangers after being traded to New York by the Nashville Predators for Michael Del Zotto in January 2014.

 

He was entering the final season of a five-year, $14.5-million contract he signed with Nashville in 2012.

 

Klein was a second-round pick of the Predators in 2003.

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/1330499-rangers-defenseman-kevin-klein-retires

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Only 32 years old too, leaving 2.9 million on the table in his final year of a 5-year contract. 

 

Strange circumstances as there must be more to this/personal reasons for leaving money on the table like that.

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10 minutes ago, -Vintage Canuck- said:

The ZSC Lions (NLA) have signed Kevin Klein to a one-year contract.

 

Klein filed his NHL retirement papers earlier this month, terminating the final year of his contract with the New York Rangers.

Rangers fans were speculating this would happen after he retired - they figured he was leaving the NHL to avoid how physical it is due to the injury issues he's had.

 

Not a bad idea for a guy who wants to have a good life after the sport, but still wants to play.

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I have nothing but respect for Kevin Klein... he walked away from millions because his body couldn't NHL hockey anymore. There's not a lot of guys who would do that, most would battle through the year even if it means long term damage. He's clearly been thinking about the next chapter of his life after hockey. NLA hockey is much less physical and he'll likely make it through the season without any injuries. Plus, from what I heard, the NLA does pay really well compared to other leagues (plus the travel is very easy in the NLA).

 

Either way, good for him for choosing his health over the NHL.

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