And there is one fact about being realistic that doesn’t escape his attention.

“Realistically, when you’re 39 years old, it’s year to year and, unfortunately, when a professional athlete gets to that age, some people think you’re going to fall apart,” said Knuble, a guest instructor at the Grand Rapids Griffins Youth Hockey Camp at Griff’s Ice House on Thursday.

Physically, Knuble, coming off two productive seasons with the Washington Capitals, is far from ready to fall apart. He has averaged nearly 77 games played the past eight seasons and has not had a major injury in years. The competitive edge remains intact, and he still looks forward to coming to the rink.

So, how much longer will Knuble play? He only will say that after 14 seasons and 968 professional games, it’s time to evaluate each season as it comes.

Knuble missed three games with a broken jaw last season and twice has missed about a dozen games since 2008. But Knuble said health isn’t necessarily a factor in how much longer he plays.

Knuble said his body is in good shape because of the lack of injuries and because he was only a part-time player in his 20s to early 30s. In the long run, that has saved wear and tear on his 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame.

“I feel good physically, and I can still handle the ins and outs of a season,” said Knuble, who signed a two-year, $2.8 million deal with the Capitals in 2009. “I still want to come to the rink and I enjoy the process of preparing for games.”

Cory Morse | The Grand Rapids PressMike Knuble has scored at least 20 goals in eight consecutive seasons. He’s played 14 seasons in the NHL.

Health aside, there are other considerations Knuble said impact his decision to keep playing. There are family concerns, the mental grind of an 82-game schedule and travel.

And, of course, there is productivity on the ice. With 24 goals a year ago, Knuble now has scored at least 20 goals in eight consecutive seasons. He has had at least 39 points in every season since 2002-03 in addition to 25 points in 48 career playoff games.

“It helps to play with good players, that helps statistics,” said Knuble, who has played 34 international games with USA Hockey. “That puts you in a position to succeed.”

Knuble is under no illusions that hockey means the same to him as when he played four seasons at Michigan from 1991-95, made his NHL debut with the Detroit Red Wings in 1996 and had his name engraved on the Stanley Cup a year later.

“It’s different because you’re a different person than you were in your 20s,” he said. “But if you’re not happy to be here, you can’t fake it. You’ve got to want to be here.”

As for the winding down of his career, Knuble said there are a couple points he considers. Because he still makes his home in the Grand Rapids area, Knuble said he wouldn’t mind working for the Grand Rapids Griffins in some capacity. But before that, the thought of ending his career with the Red Wings is intriguing.

“I started thinking about (the end) years ago, but you can’t pay too much attention to it. I do want to stay in the game,” he said. “I don’t want to move my family and I want to be here.

“Playing for the Red Wings would mean coming full circle, and it would be a nice way to end my career. That would be a good story and it would be fun. But I still love hockey and I would play anywhere.”

The Griffins’ weeklong youth camp drew nearly 70 youngsters in two groups. Former East Kentwood all-stater Jimmy Davis, who met Knuble when he was a sophomore in high school, said Knuble had the rapt attention of virtually all the campers.

“They love him,” said Davis, who recently signed to play at Michigan Tech. “To have this many kids paying attention to him is amazing. They’re trying to learn, but it’s fun for them, too.”

Though it is not known whether Reyes will go on the 15-day disabled list, Alderson said Murphy will definitely be headed to the DL, to be replaced on the 25-man roster by Ruben Tejada.

Murphy, who entered the game in the bottom of the sixth, was helped off the field after the Braves’ Jose Constanza slid into his left shin on a play at second base, causing his left knee to buckle. Murphy responded by hopping away on his right foot before going to the ground. An X-ray on Murphy at Citi Field was negative for any fractures, though both he and Reyes were to undergo MRIs at the Hospital for Special Surgery on Sunday evening.