Carle announced his retirement from the NHL onFriday.

EDGE Analysis

The Predators placed Carle on unconditional waivers with the intention of terminating his contract Friday afternoon, so this announcement doesn't come as a huge surprise. The Alaska native racked up 251 career points (45 goals, 238 assists) during his 12-year NHL career that spanned four teams. He'll also be remembered as one of just six defensemen to ever win the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's best player.

Carle was waived by the Predators on Wednesday, Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran defenseman missed 12 consecutive games before the parent club decided to cut bait on his services. However, if he goes unclaimed, it's possible that Carle will end up being reassigned to AHL Milwaukee, a minor-league affiliate of the Predators.

Carle served as a healthy scratch for Thursday's 3-1 win over the Blues, marking the seventh consecutive game he has watched from the press box.

EDGE Analysis

Carle has seen his spot on the Preds' blue line taken over by Matt Irwin who has impressed the coaching staff with his play at both ends of the rink (plus-4, five points in seven games). We don't expect you'll see Carle back in th lineup anytime soon, and he could even find himself back in the minors at some point. As such, he should not be on anyone's fantasy roster right now.

Carle is a minus-3 with zero points through four games this season.

EDGE Analysis

What's worse, Carle is averaging just 12:10 in ice time skating on the Preds' third defensive pairing, which not a good sign in terms of future production. Any fantasy owners who took a flier on Carle this season, hoping he might show signs of the 40-point player he once was, are likely to be sorely disappointed.

Carle signed a one-year, $700,000 contract with the Predators on Wednesday, NHL.com's Dan Rosen reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carle was Tampa Bay's highest-paid defenseman last season, but only tallied nine points (two goals, seven assists) while averaging 16:47 of ice time over 59 games, prompting the Bolts to buy out the Alaska native's bloated contract in June. Carle will slot into a limited role with the Predators in 2016-17, and may ultimately watch a majority of the team's contests from the press box as a healthy scratch.

Carle will be subjected to a contract buyout from the Lightning, as announced Thursday, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

This news should not come as a shock, as Carle was Tampa's highest paid defenseman last season with a salary of $5.5 million, but failed to provide much return on the investment. He produced just nine points in 64 games while averaging 16:47 of ice time, which is not a lot of rink time for a blueliner. Buying him out allows the Bolts to save $3.6 million for the next two years.

Carle is in the lineup for Friday's Game 4 against the Islanders, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carle's return to action shouldn't impact fantasy owners' lineups, as the 31-year-old defender has only notched 11 points over 70 games this season, and isn't a desirable option in daily contests or playoff pools. The 2003 second-round pick will skat alongside Slater Koekkoek on the Lightning's third-pairing in Friday's Game 4.

Carle (undisclosed) told reporters he was a game-time decision for Game 4 on Friday against the Islanders, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carle has been out of the lineup since recording an assist in the opening game of the second round. While the blueliner has had minimal offensive production this year, he is a crucial piece on the back end as he averaged 1:42 of penalty-kill ice time during the regular season and has added 10 blocked shots in six playoff contests. For fantasy owners, the 31-year-old's return will likely pass under the radar, but Tampa Bay fans will be happy to see him back on the ice.

Carle (undisclosed) took part in Tuesday's optional skate, but won't suit up for Tuesday's Game 3 against the Islanders, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carle's continued absence won't impact many fantasy owners' lineups, as the 31-year-old blueliner doesn't contribute much offensively, limiting his value in daily contests and playoff pools. Matt Taormina will likely continue to draw into Tampa Bay's lineup while Carle remains sidelined. The Lightning should provide another update on Carle's status once the Alaska native is fit to play.

Carle (undisclosed) will not play Saturday afternoon for Game 2 against the Islanders, Arthur Staple of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carle is a solid puck-moving defenseman who might've been able to chip in offensively had he been healthy enough to suit up. Naturally, the Bolts are getting ample offensive production from their forwards, but Jason Garrison leads all Tampa blueliners with just three playoff points; that's simply not going to cut it against a stingy Islanders team. Look for Matt Taormina to draw into the lineup with Carle unfit to play.