The 31-year-old has played in just 3 games over the past two seasons, missing the entire 2023/24 campaign for Vancouver, and at this point in his career, retirement or a return are equally possible outcomes for his health issues. Poolman was a fifth-round pick of the Winnipeg Jets back in 2013 and has played in 163 NHL games thus far, but after inking a four-year deal with Vancouver in the summer of 2021, he has managed just 43 games, and will now hit free agency again next summer on the back of these issues.
It's unclear what the future holds for the talented defenseman, but at this stage of his career, retirement must be a genuine option, so hopefully he can use the next 12 months to stay in shape and get past the issues, but as of right now, it doesn't look good for the Iowa native.