40-year-old NHL legend wants to return to the NHL and retire with the Vancouver Canucks

Former Canucks legend Ryan Kesler has stated he wishes to return to the organization and retire with them, as he regrets having ever left.

Theoretically, former NHL forward Ryan Kesler could look back and wonder what his career might have been had he never left the Vancouver Canucks.

That is, in fact, what Kesler does. Over 15 seasons in the league, Kesler became a fan favorite for both the Canucks and Anaheim Ducks, but it is his time in Vancouver that has left a lasting mark.

It was during this time, a span from 2003 to 2014, that Kesler had become one of the most important players on the Canucks because of his talent and hard-hitting play style, scoring more than 70 points in a season multiple times and helping to lead that team through one of its most successful eras.

Kesler was dealt to the Ducks before the start of the 2014-15 season, where he would play his final five years.

By the time Kesler retired, he had totaled 1,001 NHL games played between the Canucks and Ducks.

Kesler might have been able to accomplish a lot throughout his career, but recently, in an interview with 'Donnie and Dhali', he expressed that if he could, he would have retired as a Canuck.

In Anaheim, Kesler helped the Ducks reach the playoffs four times, but they fell short of a Stanley Cup Final appearance.

His closest taste of the Cup came in 2011 with Vancouver, as the Canucks got to the Final before falling to the Boston Bruins in seven games. With a championship as the driving force, Kesler had hoped Anaheim would be that opportunity.

Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and it would seem Kesler's move did little to affect either franchise.

The Canucks have only been to the playoffs three times since he departed while the Ducks haven't returned to the postseason since his final 2019 season.

More recently, Vancouver allowed former teammates Kevin Bieksa and Alex Edler to sign one-day deals to retire as Canucks, and Kesler seems optimistic he will get that same opportunity, saying he is on much better terms with the club than he was in 2014.

Kesler retired in 2019 due to a hip injury, finishing his career with 573 points and more than 1,200 hits.

The memories of Kesler's gritty game remain in the hearts of the Canuck faithful and those on the team in Vancouver.

Hockey player tragically passes away in an unfortunate accident during major snowstorm

Former pro-green Edmonton Oiler facing heavy backlash for buying one of the most expensive yachts in the world

Oilers reporter calls on the team to make a major change to their organizational coaching staff

Calgary Flames announce a brand new event to honor the Gaudreau brothers and give back to the local community

Dany Heatley To Shockingly Join Canadian Team In What Will Be A Very Special Moment

Gary Bettman and the NHL have just punished an Oilers player for his second diving incident this season

Leafs player suffers setback and is placed on IR: Marshall Rifai has been urgently called up

NHL insider has just revealed the two Penguins players that are "as good as gone" from the team

NHL reporter reveals Leafs' Nick Robertson could be traded after disappointing two months

Arber Xhekaj facing possible suspension after viciously punching a referee