Ward will officially hang up his skates, he announced Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Ward hasn't played professionally since 2017-18 when he was with the Sharks, so Monday's announcement is merely a formality. Over the course of his 11-year NHL career, the gritty winger racked up 133 goals, 171 assists and 557 hits in 726 games for Minnesota, Nashville, Washington and San Jose. Undrafted out of college, Ward also appeared in 83 playoffs games but was never able to lift Lord Stanley's cup, including losing in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015-16 to the Penguins.

Ward has officially retired from professional hockey, Shane Ross of CBC reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ward played 11 NHL seasons and a total of 726 games, finishing with 133 goals and 304 points. He added 52 points in 83 career playoff games.

Ward was released from his professional tryout agreement with the Canadiens on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Ward was hoping to extend his NHL career with the Habs, but evidently, he didn't impress in training camp. The veteran winger is 37 years old, accumulating 133 goals and 171 assists through 726 career games between the Wild, Predators, Capitals and Sharks.

Ward will participate in Canadiens training camp.

EDGE Analysis

Coming off a 12-point campaign in 2017-18, the 37-year-old Ward will look to impress Canadiens management in camp, after being invited on a PTO. Montreal's general manager, Marc Bergevin remains "shy" to commit to a rebuild but that is precisely the path his team is headed down. A youth movement is underway in la belle province and even if he were to crack the Opening Night roster, Ward is not fantasy relevant at this point in his career.

Ward was absent from the lineup for the entire 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

EDGE Analysis

Ward -- who returned from a shoulder injury for the last six regular-season games -- could crack the lineup for any of the Shark's 10 postseason outings. As a result of logging just 52 contests this year, the winger failed to reach the 20-point mark for only the second time in his 10-year NHL career. The veteran will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and could decide to retire if San Jose opts not to re-sign him.

Ward registered one hit while logging 11:05 of ice time during Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Blues.

EDGE Analysis

Ward isn't much of an offensive contributor at this stage in his career, having totaled just five goals and 11 points in 47 contests this season, but it was nonetheless great to see him back in action Tuesday ahead of the Sharks' upcoming playoff run. The veteran winger will likely skate in a bottom six-role whenever coach Peter DeBoer opts to slot him into the lineup down the stretch.

Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said Ward (shoulder) has progressed to the point that he could be ready now, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Sharks next face the Golden Knights in San Jose on Thursday. It appears that Ward will be healthy enough to play in that contest, but then again, he's missed the last 19 games and fantasy owners could be reluctant to pick him up for the nine games that remain in the regular season. With five goals and six assists on the year, Ward simply hasn't produced enough offense to warrant much attention outside the deepest of leagues.

Ward (shoulder) won't play against the Devils on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Despite being lifted from injured reserve Sunday, Ward needs to continue practicing with contact before he can play in a game. Ward has been logging just 11:57 of ice time through 46 games, notching 11 points on the way.

Ward (shoulder) was activated from injured reserve Sunday, per the NHL's official media site.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran forward has compiled five goals and 11 points while averaging a career-low 11:57 of ice time through 46 games this season. Ward has sat out 18 games with this shoulder issue, but he's expected to return to the lineup Tuesday against the Devils. Still, fantasy owners vying for his services should check back before Tuesday's game to ensure he hasn't suffered a setback.

Ward (shoulder) won't play on the Sharks' road trip, keeping him out until at least Feb. 27, Paul Gackle of The Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is consistent with Ward's week-to-week status, but it shouldn't affect fantasy owners much as the 37-year-old winger has averaged 11:57 of ice time through 46 games with just 11 points to show for it. Veteran forward Jannik Hansen will continue to man the third line until Ward can return.