Dire update from Sharks captain Logan Couture.

This definitely sounds like it could be the end of Logan Couture in the National Hockey League.

After playing just 6 games in the regular season, Couture and the Sharks have announced that the veteran forward will be shut down for the remainder of the season as he attempts to recover from a lingering injury to his hip and groin.

"I hope (I can play next season). Nothing’s ever guaranteed, obviously," Couture told The Mercury News following the Tomas Hertl trade. "This injury has lingered for a long, long time already."

The fact that Couture himself has doubts about his ability to return next season is a huge red flag, and the added emotional weight of seeing long time teammate Tomas Hertl being traded to one of the organization's biggest rivals likely isn't going to help in that regard.

When he was asked about the possibility of the Sharks moving him to a Stanley Cup contender much like they did with Hertl, Couture was very blunt in his response.

"I'm realistic. Who's gonna trade for a guy who is 35, making $8 million, and plays six games in a season?" asked brutally honest Couture. "You're not gonna find any takers out there."

Couture says his focus is now on getting back to normal but was clear that he wanted to get back to normalcy in his everyday life before making a push to be an NHL hockey player once again. Whether or not that will result in him returning to the NHL either next season or perhaps even later, only time will tell.