Three veterans reach 20 NHL seasons in 2026-27

Only 77 players in NHL history have played at least 20 seasons, yet Claude Giroux, Nick Foligno and Patrick Kane will join that group in 2026-27.

Giroux extends stay in Ottawa

Claude Giroux signed a one-year extension with the Ottawa Senators after recording 14 goals and 49 points in 82 games during the prior campaign. He posted a 63.1 faceoff win rate that season, contrasting with his earlier captaincy tenure with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2012-13 through 2021-22. In 1,345 career games Giroux accumulated 379 goals and 786 assists for 1,165 points. Ottawa chose to retain the 38-year-old right winger rather than allow a return to Philadelphia. His continued production at the dot and on the scoresheet illustrates how faceoff reliability sustains value deep into a career.

Foligno brings physical edge to Minnesota

Nick Foligno split 54 games between the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild, registering four goals, 15 points and 128 hits. That output contrasts sharply with his earlier captaincies for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Blackhawks. Across 1,287 career games he has tallied 251 goals, 361 assists and 612 points while delivering 2,885 hits. The Wild rely on his bottom-six physicality and leadership rather than offensive volume. Foligno’s hit total underscores how accumulated physical contributions remain measurable assets even as scoring declines.

Kane returns to Chicago for milestone season

Patrick Kane agreed to a two-year, eight-million-dollar-per-season contract that will allow him to play his 20th NHL season with the Chicago Blackhawks. In 67 games with the Detroit Red Wings the prior year he posted 16 goals and 57 points. Kane already owns 1,369 career games, 508 goals, 892 assists and 1,400 points along with three Stanley Cups, the Calder, Conn Smythe, Art Ross and Hart trophies. His decision to continue playing at age 37 rather than retire separates him from most peers who exit earlier. The two-year term guarantees he reaches the 20-season threshold while still contributing as a top-six forward.

These three additions raise the total of 20-season players to at least 80 once the 2026-27 campaign concludes.