A knee injury sustained by the 34-year-old defenseman Feb. 22 against the Los Angeles Kings ended his season. He had two assists and averaged 14:26 of ice time in 12 games.
"Obviously, the last season was not as expected or as wanted, but that's how she goes sometimes," Gunnarsson said.
Gunnarsson played seven of his 12 NHL seasons for the Blues, scoring 52 points (15 goals, 37 assists) in 325 regular-season games with St. Louis.
"It's not an overnight decision or anything," Gunnarsson said. "It's just been growing in my mind for a little bit, and I felt like this was the right time and I'm proud and happy of my career and what I've done, and I just felt like this is a good time right now. Body has been taking a little bit of a beating too, so I feel pretty confident and pretty happy in the decision."
During the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Gunnarsson scored three points (one goal, two assists), including an overtime goal in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins.
"It's kind of a blur, but what you remember, what you see on video … it's just a good feeling," he said. "... You kind of take a peek at it, and it gives you a nice good feeling. Just throws you back to what it was like that whole run. It's a good memory to have."
St. Louis acquired Gunnarsson and a fourth-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft (Ville Husso) from the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 28, 2014, for defenseman Roman Polak.
"Carl is the consummate professional and has been a great player for the Blues for the past seven seasons," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "From his legendary goal in Game 2 of the Final to his numerous contributions to the St. Louis community, he will continue to be a shining example for current and future Blues."
Gunnarsson is in the final season of a two-year, $3.5 million contract ($1.75 million average annual value) he agreed to with the Blues on June 27, 2019.
Selected by the Maple Leafs in the seventh round (No. 194) of the 2007 NHL Draft, Gunnarsson scored 138 points (30 goals, 108 assists) in 629 regular-season games with Toronto and St. Louis, and seven points (one goal, six assists) in 68 playoff games.
"Twelve years in the League has been amazing," Gunnarsson said. "Super proud of that and I just never saw myself really getting into the League, but when I finally did it's been crazy, and sticking around for 12 years, it's something to be proud of and something that no one can take away from me. And to top it off with winning the Cup too, it feels pretty darn good."
