"One of the best bargains the Detroit Red Wings ever got is retiring after 17 seasons.

Kris Draper — known as Drapes among teammates, nicknamed Nailz for his relentless fitness, an original member of the Grind Line and a four-time Stanley Cup winner — is scheduled to make the announcement Tuesday morning at Joe Louis Arena, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Draper had wanted to play another season, but with next season's team already stocked with 14 forwards and with Draper having just turned 40, space and time scuttled that plan.

Draper's retirement comes a week after another fellow longtime Wing, Chris Osgood, hung up his skates.

Draper came to Detroit in June 1993, acquired by then-assistant general manager Doug MacLean for $1 from the Winnipeg Jets. After starting his stint in Adirondack, Draper was brought to Detroit and soon became a valuable third-line player.

In the late '90s, he formed the Grind Line with Kirk Maltby (who retired last fall) and Joe Kocur. Draper helped the Wings win the Stanley Cup in '97 and '98, and again in 2002. He enjoyed his finest personal season in '03-04, when he spent time on a line with Sergei Fedorov and scored 24 goals and 40 points. Coupled with his usual dependable defensive play, Draper was awarded the 2004 Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward. "