Carkner officially retired from the NHL on Thursday, Islanders website reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carkner hadn't played in the NHL since 2013-14. He amassed four goals, 23 assists, and 556 PIM in 237 games during his career.

Carkner was released from his PTO on Saturday, reports Newsday's Arthur Staple.

EDGE Analysis

Carkner never really had a chance to make the team as the plan between the team and player would be that he would report to Bridgeport of the AHL as a player/coach.

Carkner was activated from injured reserve and placed on waivers Sunday.Carkner has been on injured reserve since the beginning of the season, but appears ready to begin working his way back. The Isles likely placed him on waivers with the intention of sending him to the minors for rehab work, and that should end up the outcome as it's unlikely anyone will claim him.

Carkner (back) is expected to miss the rest of the season, Arthur Staple of Newsday reports. Carkner aggravated his back injury during the team's first preseason game of the season, and underwent surgery last week to fix the problem. The physical blueliner will have to get healthy for next season as the Isles prepare for the rest of this season without him.

Carkner (upper body) will start the season on IR, Arthur Staple of Newsday reports. Carkner hasn't skated in a few days now, and will be stashed on IR until he can be cleared for practice. The blueliner tallied three assists and 149 PIM in 53 games last season.

Carkner remained off the ice Friday with an upper-body injury, Arthur Staple of Newsday reports. Carkner won't play in the Islanders' final preseason game Friday, putting his status in question for the Oct. 10 regular season opener. Regardless, aside from in leagues that count penalty minutes, Carkner projects as a below-average contributor in nearly every other fantasy category.

Carkner (undisclosed) missed practice Saturday, Arthur Staple of Newsday reports. Carkner's injury is day-to-day, so it's safe to assume he'll be available for the start of the regular season unless more information comes out.

Matt Carkner ranks ninth in the league in penalty minutes with a total of 77. He has accomplished that feat in 28 games, while contributing three assists and a minus-8 rating.

Matt Carkner replaced Matt Donovan in the Islanders lineup Saturday. The move did not work out great for the Islanders as Carkner is a tough defensive minded blueliner while Donovan is more creative with the puck and plays the point on the power play. It was not great for the Islanders as Lubomir Visnovsky suffered a concussion early in the game and could not return, forcing the Isles to go with only five defensemen and only Andrew MacDonald with much offensive flair. Carkner could see more action in the short term with the injury to Visnovsky but the Islanders could also sign Radek Martinek to a contract.

Matt Carkner is hoping to put his past injury woes behind him and to stay healthy next season. His right knee required two surgeries in 2011, in April and October, which limited him to 29 appearances with Ottawa in 2011-12. Carkner had a hip flexor ailment last year and he played in just 22 contests with the Islanders as a result. "I'll work a little more smart, that's for sure," he said in order to avoid hurting himself again. "Nothing too crazy with my training regimen. Stuff that's basically more on-ice focused, because I feel good on the ice. For me, my main focus is being healthy and getting back out there." He can bring some penalty minutes to the table, but other than that he doesn't have much to offer in terms of fantasy value.