As this current National Hockey League season winds down several potential free agent players are facing the possibility their NHL playing days may be drawing to a close.

Winger Alex Kovalev's offensive production failed to improve with his trade from Ottawa to Pittsburgh in February, and is currently on pace for his lowest points total since 1996-97, when he had 35 points in 45 games with the NY Rangers. Headed for 35 points in 74 games, it's clear the 38-year-old Kovalev's best seasons are well behind him, which doesn't bode well for his chances of earning another NHL contract this summer.

Another former Ottawa Senator, 28-year-old goaltender Pascal Leclaire, remains defiantly optimistic about his chances of landing with another NHL team as a free agent this summer. Despite Leclaire's youth, his lengthy injury history could significantly dampen his free agent value.

Nashville Predators forward Steve Sullivan also has a significant injury history, yet impressed many observers by battling back from potentially career-threatening back surgery two years ago. Sullivan still has a decent offensive touch – 22 points in 43 games with the low-scoring Predators this season – but at 36 it appears age and injuries are taking their toll.

Veteran defenseman Craig Rivet's stock has been in decline over the past couple of years, and this season plummeted as he struggled for playing time with the Buffalo Sabres. At 36, Rivet could also find it difficult to land with another NHL team this summer.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs winger Alexi Ponikarovsky was a bust last season in his short stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins and more so this season with the Los Angeles Kings, with only 15 points in 58 games. Though only 30, Ponikarovsky could end up with the KHL as it's doubtful he'll attract much attention in this summer's free agent market.

The KHL could also be an option for 28-year-old Alex Frolov, whose offensive stats were in steady decline before he signed with the NY Rangers for this season, and prior to his season-ending injury he managed only 16 points in 43 games. Prorated, those numbers would've given him roughly the same total he had in his rookie year (31) in 2002-03.

The Philadelphia Flyers' gamble on enigmatic winger Nikolay Zherdev failed to pay off. With only 22 points in 54 games, and a healthy scratch for lengthy periods throughout the second half, it's unlikely other NHL clubs will take a chance on the 26-year-old Russian.

This season could be the last for center Mike Comrie, whose signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins was seen as his last chance to save his NHL career. Having missed most of this season to hip surgery, and with his production in decline leading up to 2010-11, Comrie days in the NHL could be numbered.

Veteran center Todd White's stint with the NY Rangers this season was also a short one, lasting only 18 games until his demotion to the minors in December. Despite being only two years removed from a career-best 73 point performance it's unlikely he'll find any takers for this services this summer.

Colorado Avalanche captain Adam Foote's 19-year career is coming to an end. Injuries limited him to 46 games this season and it's expected the 39-year-old will announce his retirement soon after the Avs season is over.

Retirement is likely in the cards for long-time Detroit Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood. Relegated last season to the role of backup, the 38-year-old Osgood was sidelined by injury for part of this season and appeared to struggle in many of the 11 games he appeared in.

Osgood won't be the only Wing facing retirement. Long time Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano opted to sign a one-year contract with the Wings this season but was sidelined for most of it by injury. The future Hall-of-Famer is at 40 but a shell of his former high-scoring self, and there won't be any other NHL teams willing to take a chance on him if he harbors hopes of playing one more season.

Age and injuries have considerably slowed veteran center Doug Weight in recent years, and it's expected the 40-year-old, who recently announced he wouldn't be returning to the NY Islanders lineup this season, will retire at season's end.

The same fate likely awaits 36-year-old Fredrik Modin, who like Weight has been hampered for several seasons by injuries. With his last best season being the 22-goal, 42-point performance of 2006-07, Modin will undoubtedly have to shut it down once this campaign is over.

Injuries have significantly hampered Vancouver Canucks defenseman Sami Salo throughout his career, and this season was no exception, as an injury last summer resulted in his missing over half of 2010-11. It's expected the brittle 36-year-old could retire or play in Europe next season.

Chicago Blackhawks goalie Marty Turco likely believes he can play at the NHL level, but he lost the starting goalie job to Corey Crawford this season, and struggled in the backup role. He might be able to land another NHL as a backup for next season but his performance in '10-'11 doesn't improve his chances.

Minnesota Wild center John Madden hasn't ruled out returning for another season but only if it's with the Wild as he and his family are now happily settled in Minnesota. If the Wild aren't able or willing to retain him, Madden will probably pack it in.

Other notables who could be playing their final NHL games include Kris Draper, Mike Grier, Sean O'Donnell, Nick Boynton, Ruslan Fedotenko, Ethan Moreau,Todd Marchant, Peter Budaj, Rob Niedermayer and Ruslan Salei.