Back on February 11, news broke at the University of Prince Edward Island’s Men’s Hockey Alumni Day that former Capitals forward Joel Ward considered himself as being retired from professional hockey.
An NHL source later told RMNB that Ward wasn’t “officially” retired, something the forward himself confirmed via Color of Hockey. “No, I haven’t officially retired,” Ward said in an email to the website. “I’m always open to catch on a team.”
If Ward has his way, that team might be the Toronto Maple Leafs. And for good reason.
🖐🏾
— Joel Ward (@JRandalWard42) February 19, 2019
During Hockey Central at Noon, Nick Kypreos discussed what players the Leafs should aim to trade for ahead of the February 25 deadline in order to give them a potential edge over the Boston Bruins in the playoffs.
In response to that segment, Ward raised his virtual-hand with an emoji, seemingly offering his services.
Ward, of course, already has the experience required to down the Bruins. In the 2012 playoffs, Ward scored one of the most important goals in Capitals history — prior to the 2018-19 Stanley Cup run — when he tallied the overtime game-winning goal in Game 7 to take the Caps past the defending champion Boston Bruins.
