Roman Polak leaving the NHL, not keen on returning for playoffs

After 14 season in the NHL and more than 800 games, defenceman Roman Polak has chosen to continue his hockey career in his home country of the Czech Republic. Multiple reports state Polak has signed a deal with HC Vitkovice of the Czech Extraliga.

Polak, 34, was a sixth round draft pick (180th overall) of the St. Louis Blues back in 2004. After several seasons in St. Louis, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in June of 2014 in exchange for defenseman Carl Gunnarsson and a 2014 fourth-round draft pick (Ville Husso). In February of 2016, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks, but returned to the Leafs in July of the same year as a free agent. After two more seasons with Toronto, he signed with the Dallas Stars as a free agent in 2018 and has been with the team since. Polak was never one to put up big numbers on the score sheet, notching 26 goals and 140 points in 806 career NHL games, but provided a physical presence with each team he played for. At six-foot-two, 240 lbs, Polak is able to throw his weight around.

The contract with HC Vitkovice does not kick in until next season, which means Polak can return to the Dallas Stars for the NHL's 24-team Return to Play format. However, in a June 8th interview in his home country, he made it clear he's not a fan of the format.

"I am determined to stay at home. If I really had to finish it, I'd go. However, I will do everything I can to avoid it," Polak told iSport Premium.

"I will not lie, it is not for me. The idea that I should jump on the ice after three weeks of training and start playing live. This is unimaginable at my age."

Being one of the top teams in the Western Conference when the NHL suspended play in March means the Stars will not have to take part in the play-in round, but will play against other top teams in the West for seeding.

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