Chris Wideman has possibly played his final NHL game. In an interview with Simon-Olivier Lorange of La Presse, the 34-year-old defenceman admitted that he could retire from professional hockey after his contract with the Canadiens expires on June 30, 2024.
Hampered by a back injury, Wideman spent the entirety of this season on the Injured Reserve list. He last played for the Canadiens on April 13, 2023, in Montreal’s season finale against the Boston Bruins.
Originally drafted 100th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Wideman joined the Canadiens as an unrestricted free agent for the 2021-22 season after a one-year stint with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL. He recorded 27 points in 64 games that season, which was enough to earn him a two-year contract extension.
Wideman finishes his Canadiens tenure with 33 points (four goals, 29 assists) in 110 games played. He closes his NHL career with 78 points (20 goals, 58 assists) in 291 games.
On Wednesday, Wideman said he hasn’t officially retired and is working on getting healthy but admits his future is uncertain.
