If the lockout doesn't end in time to save the season, Teemu Selanne's career could be over. (Getty Images)

There are countless reasons to hope for an agreement between the NHL and NHLPA on a new collective bargaining agreement in time to save the 2012-13 season.

And now we've just found another one.

In an interview with TSN (video here), Anaheim Ducks forward Teemu Selanne said that he will "probably" retire if the season was lost due to the ongoing NHL lockout.

"Probably," said Selanne when asked if a lost season would be the end to his NHL career. "It's hard to say for sure, but year after year it's getting harder and harder to get ready for the season. When the season starts it's going to be fine, but doing all the right things at this age that's the hardest part. I'm more sorry for the hockey world and younger players. I'm 42, I don't really have to play one more single game. It would be sad to go out like this but I got more than I really dreamed about. I'm more worried about this game. This is not right."

No. No it's not.

And it also wouldn't be right to see one of the NHL's all-time greats have to see his career end due to a work stoppage. The lockout has already resulted in the cancellation of 326 regular season games through the end of November (as well as the Winter Classic) and there are reports that the next round of cancellations could eliminate games through Dec. 15. After that, it could be the entire season.

Even at 42 Selanne is still one of the best players. He is coming off a 2011-12 season that saw him score 26 goals to go with 40 assists for the  Ducks, while still looking like the best player on the ice nearly every time he stepped on it.

In 1,341 career games he's scored 663 goals to go with 743 assists. He won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks during the 2006-07 season and has led the NHL in goals three times in his 22-year career, including his rookie season back in 1992-93 when he scored 76 goals, which is still a rookie record. His 663 career goals are 12th on the all-time list and second among active players (trailing Dallas Stars forward Jaromir Jagr by just two).

Selanne re-signed with the Ducks back in July, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $4.5 million for the 2012-13 season.

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