Blackhawks' Sharp knows playing days might be numbered

Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp was the last player introduced Friday night before his team hosted the St. Louis Blues at the United Center.

A sellout crowd roared for Sharp, who won three Stanley Cup rings with Chicago in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

It might not have been the Blackhawks' final tribute to the veteran, but it certainly could be interpreted that way. The 36-year-old has sidestepped questions about whether this season will be his last after 16 years in the NHL.

"If this is it, then it will be cool to be at home with my friends and my coaches and the fans," Sharp recently said to The Athletic. "But who knows? I could end up playing somewhere else next year. We'll see."

Sharp established himself as one of the league's most reliable scorers for the bulk of his career. He tallied 20-plus goals in eight seasons and 30-plus goals in four seasons, earning the nickname "Shooter" from his teammates.

However, during the past two seasons, Sharp's production has trailed off. He tallied only 18 points in 48 games during the 2016-17 campaign, and he entered Friday with 21 points in 68 games this season.

Chicago likely will move on and build around younger players after missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Sharp has scored 249 of his 287 career goals as a member of the Blackhawks.

"I'm just proud of what we've all built here together over the years," Sharp told The Athletic, "On and off the ice."

--Field Level Media