Dave Andreychuk did much of the same thing. Although he played part of the season at least. Hull is around the same age, as is he around Lemieux's age. All three quit during the 2005-'06 season. They were all 40+ years old. I don't think you can underestimate just how hard it is on someone that age to take a year and a half off of NHL hockey (thanks to the lockout) and come back. You aren't 25 anymore. Mario did NOT look even near the same as he did in, say, the 2004 World Cup.
Hull had 1 assist in 5 games and was a -3. I get the feeling that Gretzky being there was a contributing factor. But if you just don't have the legs anymore................
Besides, there were players in their 30s who were just never the same after the lockout that couldn't get back to their old level. It's hard.
