It's official.

Daniel and Henrik Sedin have announced that they'll hang up their skates in less than a week. They'll be retiring at the end of the season.

"We started the year with the mindset that a decision would be made in the postseason. But it became clear, after discussions with our families throughout the year, that this will be our last season..." https://t.co/hOhtj2kTLM

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 2, 2018

The announcement comes after a long season of speculation about whether or not they'd return after their contracts expire at the end of this year. As I wrote a couple of days ago, the pendulum has been swinging back and forth—both on the likelihood of a return, and in the court of public opinion about what would be best for the team.

I'm not surprised that they've done it this way. I always figured they were trying to avoid the 'retirement tour' around the league, being fussed about in every city as they made their way through the schedule.

But I am a little surprised that they've decided to pull the plug while they're still healthy and productive. Daniel's 21 goals and 52 points put him ahead of his production from last season and with three games to go, he has a real chance to pass Brock Boeser (55 points) and go out as Vancouver's leading scorer this season. Henrik (48 points) could still match his 51 points from last year. He and Michael Del Zotto are the only Canucks players to appear in all 79 games this season—and Daniel appeared in 78. After a multi-season ironman streak earlier in his career, Henrik looks poised to finish out on another streak of 180 consecutive games played.

In their letter, the twins talk about their primary driver being the desire to spend more time with their families—and now that their kids are a bit older and more active, that bears some weight. But the decision does run counter to one of those hockey cliches you hear all the time: "Play as long as you can. You can't realize how much you'll miss it until it's gone."

After they each hit the 1,000 point plateau, I wonder if they feel a bit like they've run out of things to play for? Their commitment to staying in Vancouver has cost them the opportunity to get 'one last chance' to try to compete for a Stanley Cup, but they have shepherded the Canucks to the precipice of the next era, where the prospect pool is deep and there's plenty of young talent knocking at the door.

For their kids, Vancouver is home more than Sweden will ever be. As they say in the letter, they'll be around. I wonder if they'll ease up on their notorious training regimens in retirement? I wonder if they'll be joining the crew that watches games at Rogers Arena from the alumni box, or if they'll join the team in some sort of front-office capacity after taking some time to decompress? I fully expect that they'll continue to be marvellous community ambassadors.

We'll have two more home games to soak it all in, including Daniel's bobblehead night on Tuesday against Vegas. The twins will play their last home game at Rogers Arena on Thursday against Arizona then close out their careers in a road city where they've had tremendous success over the years: Edmonton.

Jersey retirements will come in short order, I'm sure, and the Hall of Fame should be an inevitability in three years' time.

For the Canucks, roster spots and cap space has just opened up—and I bet the agents have already started ringing Jim Benning's phone.

I can tell you some agents with UFA high scoring forwards this July 1st will be happy about the cap space available in Van. Will #Canucks overspend on July 1st to get some of the 100 points the Sedin twins take with them this year?

— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) April 2, 2018

Never mind about Tyler Bozak and Evander Kane. Have the Canucks just jumped into the John Tavares sweepstakes?

A couple of tributes have already rolled in from former teammates:

Todd Bertuzzi on Danny and Hank: "Not everyone is meant to win Cups. I chased it my whole career. It’s one of the most elusive trophies in the sport to try to win. It’s the old saying: It is what it is. But those two are for sure first-ballot Hall-of-Famers."

— Iain MacIntyre (@imacSportsnet) April 2, 2018

Thanks guys for showing me around when a lost little boy from Sweden came to Vancouver. Congrats to amazing careers you are still the best players I’ve ever played with. Both on and off the ice. pic.twitter.com/sfc2y3LoLt

— Eddie Lack🇸🇪 (@eddielack) April 2, 2018

Burrows on Sedins: "They taught me not only on the ice but off the ice, how to do be a true pro. They get involved in the community. . . treat people the right way. . . especially their own teammates, coaches, staff, media. They’re just like the ultimate professionals."

— Iain MacIntyre (@imacSportsnet) April 2, 2018

Asked Laurence Gilman for his thoughts on the Sedins pic.twitter.com/qE763t8Wmv

— Patrick Johnston (@risingaction) April 2, 2018

One of my favourite Sedin moments:



Meanwhile, a couple of quick notes from today's practice—which could very well be the last full practice of the year:

Lines at #Canucks practice:

Sedin-Sedin-Gagner
Goldobin-Horvat-Jokinen
Leipsic-Gaudette-Virtanen
Archibald-Sutter-Motte/Gaunce

Edler-Stecher
Del Zotto-Pouliot
Sautner/Hutton-Biega

Reid Boucher absent from the skate.

— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) April 2, 2018

Thatcher Demko has been reassigned to Utica. Ashton Sautner, who's also on emergency recall, is still here.

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