Veteran Forward Claude Lemieux Retires for Second Time

After training for months to make an NHL comeback six years after playing his last NHL game, veteran right wing Claude Lemieux has retired a second time. Lemieux began an NHL comeback this past season with the San Jose Sharks in an attempt to win another Stanley Cup. He began his comeback in the AHL with the Worcester Sharks, appearing in 23 games and scoring three goals and eight assists for 11 points. The Sharks were impressed enough with his production in the AHL that they recalled him in January. Lemieux struggled at the NHL level, scoring one assist in 18 games. He was benched by the team for the last month of the regular season. In 1215 career games with the Sharks, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, and Dallas Stars, scoring 379 goals and 407 assists for 786 points and 1777 penalty minutes. He won four Stanley Cups during his career, two with the Devils (1995 & 2000), one with the Avalanche (1996), and one with the Canadiens (1986). He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1995 as the MVP of the playoffs. Lemieux is probably one of the most hated players in NHL history for his on-ice antics, but was also a very talented winger. He could score goals and play with lots of grit all while agitating the opposition. The playoffs is where he really shined, always playing his best hockey of the season during the post-season, no matter how good or bad he played during the regular season. When I heard Lemieux was planning a comeback, I was skeptical that he would be an effective player for the Sharks, and my skepticism proved to be correct, as he did not play that well for the Sharks. Sure he provided a little grit for the team when they needed it, but his age kept him from performing well against a lot of players half his age. Still, you have to give Lemieux a lot of credit for making it back to the NHL.

Sharks Sign Claude Lemieux to Two-Way Contract

Claude Lemieux is one step closer to returning to the NHL. The San Jose Sharks announced on Monday that they have signed the 43-year-old right wing to a one-year, two-way contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Lemieux has not played in the NHL since the 2002-03 season when he was with the Dallas Stars. He has been attempting an NHL comeback over the last few months and has been playing with the Sharks' AHL affiliate in Worcester. In 14 AHL games, Lemieux has two goals and four assists for six points. He has played in 1197 games, scoring 379 goals and 406 assists for 785 points with the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, and Dallas Stars. In Doug Wilson's eyes, he feels Lemieux has conditioned and played well enough at the minor league level to warrant signing him to an NHL contract. Throughout his NHL career, Lemieux was a pest and agitator, and will likely play the same role if is able to make the Sharks' roster. Given his age, Lemieux will likely play a limited role on the team's checking line and probably will not see any time on the scoring lines. Given his past success in the playoffs, Lemieux could play a bigger role on the team in the playoffs.

Claude Lemieux Signs Contract with AHL's Worcester Sharks

Former NHL left wing Claude Lemieux has signed a contract with the Worcester Sharks of the AHL. Lemieux has been training hard in recent months in order to make an NHL comeback. He last played in the NHL five years ago with the Dallas Stars. The 43-year-old winger had signed a tryout contract with the San Jose Sharks a few days prior to signing with Worcester. Lemieux played 20 seasons in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, and Dallas Stars. In 1197 NHL games, Lemieux scored 379 goals and 406 assists for 785 points and 1756 penalty minutes. He won four Stanley Cups in his career, two with New Jersey and one with Montreal and Colorado. Lemieux was best known as an agitator in the league, and was constantly at the ire of rival teams on the ice. Among his more notorious actions were cross-checking Detroit Red Wings' center Kris Draper head-first into the boards in the 1996 playoffs and starting a pre-game brawl with the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1987 playoffs. If Lemieux can make it back to the NHL with the Sharks, he will definitely bring a gritty presence to the team. He could also bring a bit of an offensive boost to the Sharks in the playoffs, as he always played his best hockey in the postseason. However, the game is a lot faster than when Lemieux last played in 2003 and could have a hard time keeping up with some of the young players. If he makes the Sharks, he will likely play on the 4th line.