Neil announced his retirement from the NHL on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Neil -- who spent his entire 15-year NHL career with the Senators -- was offered a PTO with the Canadiens at the start of the season, but declined, preferring to stick with one team. Even in the locked out 2004-05 campaign, the 38-year-old played for Ottawa's AHL affiliate in Binghamton, rather than heading overseas like many other players. Drafted by the team in the sixth round of the 1998 NHL Draft, the winger would go on to play in 1026 games as a persistent pest and enforcer and racking up 2522 PIM (20th all-time). In addition to his time spent in the box, the Ontario native tallied 112 goals and 138 assists in the regular season, as well as accruing 19 points -- and 204 more PIM -- in 95 playoff contests.

Neil is "not stressed at all" by the fact that he hasn't signed with a new team four weeks into free agency, Postmedia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Neil's fourth contract with the Senators has expired, so he's looking for work as an unrestricted free agent. Apparently, the 38-year-old is getting attention on the open market, but he won't take just any offer that's on the table. "Everything is pretty quiet right now," Neil said. "Obviously, I've had some offers from teams. Looking at it, it wasn't the right fit at the time. There's some stuff in the air, and we're still going through it. It's not just me I'm thinking about. It's my wife and my kids. It's got to be the right kind of fit, like Ottawa has been through my whole career." Indeed, Neil had been property of the Sens since they drafted him in the sixth round of the 1998 draft. He's accumulated 250 points (112 goals, 138 assists) in 1,026 games.

Neil will not be brought back by the Senators next season, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia report.

EDGE Analysis

Neil has been with Ottawa for the past 15 seasons since being selected by the organization in the sixth round of the 1998 NHL Draft. Unfortunately for the 37-year-old, changes to the game have made enforcers a relic of the past. The winger played in a mere 53 outings this year in which he grabbed four points and 63 PIM. Neil will look to catch on with another team, but if he doesn't, he will retire as No. 20 all-time in PIM with 2522.

Neil is likely to serve as a healthy scratch Saturday for Game 1 of the Conference Finals against the Penguins, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The elder statesman needs to draw into just five more postseason contests to reach 100 in his career, but we suspect the Senators will be looking to deploy a skater with more of an offensive touch to hang with the attack-happy Penguins.

Neil is expected to play in Game 5 against the Rangers on Saturday, John Shannon of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Neil hasn't hit game ice since April 9, but he's on track to be unleashed in a pivotal playoff contest. The Senators evidently don't want to get outmuscled in their own barn, and deploying the grizzled veteran certainly plays to that idea. Neil hasn't played in a playoff game since 2014-15, but he's been involved in 93 total postseason contests. Don't expect miracles from Neil from a fantasy standpoint since he'll almost assuredly be in a bottom-six role.

Neil (finger) will rejoin the lineup for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

It's tough to tell if Neil's absence was essentially a healthy scratch recently, but he will return with a large number of healthy bodies taking a day off for the finale. Considering he owns just three points despite dressing for 52 games this season, the veteran shouldn't be a target in daily lineups Sunday.

Neil (finger) was listed as a scratch for Tuesday's game against the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Neil, who had been on IR due to a finger injury, last suited up Feb. 26, but it appears as though he's available to the Sens should they wish to add some grit up front down the stretch. In 52 games this season, the 37-year-old winger has tallied one goal and three points to go along with 63 PIM.

Neil (finger) was spotted on the ice during Monday's practice session, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Neil has been sidelined since late February because of the finger injury. While his presence on the ice Monday is certainly a positive sign, no timeline has been placed on the veteran winger's potential return date. Considering he owns just three points over 52 games this season, it shouldn't concern many in the fantasy realm, but Neil is at least tracking toward a return to the lineup.

Neil (finger) is expected to miss "weeks" due to his broken finger, Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

In terms of fantasy value, Neil doesn't offer much outside of PIM considering he averages a meager 7:26 of ice time per game and has snagged a paltry three points in 52 outings this season. One of the last remaining enforcers in the league, Neil is significantly more likely to get into a scrap than score a goal.

Neil (finger) is showing on injured reserve, per the NHL's official media site.

EDGE Analysis

Neil is the team's elder statesman, having spent all 14 years of his NHL career (and counting) in Ottawa. He remains a punishing line defender as someone up to 107 hits and 63 PIM in 52 games this season, but there's very little that he can do with the puck and it's for that reason that his appeal in fantasy hockey is marginal at best.