One of hockey's most respected insiders talks about potential retirement.

This will be a huge loss for the hockey world when it comes to pass, but there's little doubt that TSN insider Bob McKenzie has earned his walk off into the sunset. 

McKenzie was a guest on TSN's 1040 radio in Vancouver this week when he was asked if he planned on doing his work until his very last breath, and McKenzie's answer was a stunning one.

“Not even close. I’m counting down the days,” quipped McKenzie as per Fanrag's Chris Nichols. “As soon as I’m done I’m done. I’ve got a plan. Everybody has got plans You’ve got to make sure you stick around long enough to be able enjoy them.

“But I’ve got three years left on my contract at TSN and I’m going to fulfill that doing what I do kind of 24/7, and then after that if there’s a reduced role that might include things like the world juniors and a couple of one-offs that have a start date and a finish date that don’t require me to be watching every hockey game and (working) 24/7 – for me, anyways – 43 weeks of the year… then I’m shutting it down.”

That seems like a rather clear admission that once the next three years have run out, McKenzie will no longer be performing in his day to day insider role the way he currently does as one of the best sources of insider information in the NHL. 

While there are certainly those who will be willing to take up the mantle, including McKenzie's colleagues Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun, it will be a sad day when one of the most jovial and insightful voices in the hockey world is no longer a regular everyday fixture.