An open letter to Bret Hedican

Dear Bret Hedican,

Please retire.
You've been a wonderful defenseman and a consummate teammate during your career here. We appreciate everything you've done, and you won't be forgotten.
However, injuries and age have caught up to you. Even if the docs can put your hip back together again the way they put SuperMario back together, there's still some question about your ability to play every night. Please do the right thing, and walk away. You will help the team more by freeing up two point five million clams than you will staying on board. It's not that we don't like you. We like you lots. It's just that it's two point five million donuts, and (ahem)... Well, it's just that think that your skill set is no longer commensurate with your pay. Especially if you spend the majority of the season in the press box.
You've made plenty of money. Kristi has made plenty of money. You'll never be in want. Please, please, please, for the love of Stormy, just hang 'em up. You'll be fondly remembered if you do. And if you want it, the team will probably find a job for you in the organization. You'll be vilified if you hang on for that last year just for the sake of hanging on, while costing the team some maneuverability in the free agent market.
That, Brett, is really the bottom line. The team would like to get a third line center and a third line right wing out of free agency. If you retire and free up the money, they won't be restricted to the bargain basement.

Thank you in advance.
Love,
Red and Black Hockey