NHL Rumors: Yandle Still Weighing Options On NHL Future

It's no certainty that Keith Yandle will be playing in the NHL in 2022-23. His agent said he hasn't made a decision yet on his future. Yandle still wants to play but it needs to be the "right fit," Greg Wyshynski reported.

After Yandle's iron-man streak ended last season after he had broken the record, the Philadelphia Flyers scratched him to allow for some of their younger recently signed players to get into the lineup. He had the worst season of his 16 year career in 2021-22, but it didn't help that the Flyers were a disaster themselves. The veteran defenseman was a -47 plus/minus, scored just one goal, and had 19 points in 77 games playing on the third pairing. He did play on the power play, but that was abysmal for Philadelphia as well.

After Yandle was scratched the first time for Ronnie Attard to take his place in the lineup, Yandle was regularly healthy scratched for the remainder of the season. He took the decision by the Flyers to end his iron man streak with the utmost professionalism and continues to be a great leader in the locker room and on the ice.

On Tuesday, Keith Yandle broke the NHL record for the most consecutive games played, at 965.

Here's a behind-the-scenes look back at Keith's historical night. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/nyEGt2QrRv
— NHL (@NHL) January 29, 2022

Yandle has been one of the most consistent offensive defenseman for the past decade-plus as a member of the former Phoenix Coyotes and Florida Panthers. He finished as high as fifth in Norris Trophy voting in 2010-11 and has 103 goals and 619 points in 1109 career games. He has also produced 293 power-play points in his career, regularly being the anchor on the top unit.

It may be less of an incentive for Yandle to return this season since his iron man streak is over and he would likely be a healthy scratch regularly wherever he signs. He has had an excellent career and it wouldn't be a shock if he were to hang up the skates if there isn't an NHL offer.