Carle announced his retirement from the NHL on Friday.

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.

The veteran defenseman was a healthy scratch for 12 straight games before the parent club decided to cut bait on his services. If he goes unclaimed, it's possible that Carle will end up being reassigned to AHL Milwaukee.

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.

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 the 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 skate alongside Slater Koekkoek on the Lightning's third pairing Friday.

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.

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 shorthanded 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 fly 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.

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.

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.

Carle (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday afternoon's Game 2 against the Islanders, The Tampa Tribune reports.

Carle reportedly missed practice Friday, which was the first sign the defender's status would be muddy heading into Game 2. The Bolts have been ravaged by injuries this postseason, including a lower-body ailment for Anton Stralman, so the team could be at a significant disadvantage on the blue line if Carle proves unfit to play.

Carle dished out a pair of helpers in Thursday's win over the Devils.

The veteran blueliner also skated to a plus-3 in this one, giving him a rather productive night in 21:14 of ice time. Carle only has eight points in 63 games, so he hasn't factored into fantasy leagues very often this season.

Carle tallied two assists in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Islanders.

Oh boy -- Carle has played 61 games and he has just six points (two goals, four assists). The fantasy value is distant in the proverbial rear-view mirror.

Carle picked up his first points of the season when he scored a goal and added an assist in Saturday's win over the Penguins.

It's his first goal since December 31, 2014. Carle's game has fallen off a cliff and he's no longer bringing fantasy owners any value at all.

Carle has played in three straight games after being a healthy scratch in 10 of the past 13 games.

He's the team's highest paid defenseman and heaviest anchor. But Jason Garrison's absence means Carle is the top guy to draw back into the lineup. He remains without a point on the season and sits at minus-9. Carle does have 45 blocked shots in 39 games, but that's about the extent of his fantasy value.

Carle was benched again Tuesday, something that has become all too familiar for the defender this season. "It's gutwrenching," said Carle. He has zero points and a minus-6 rating in 33 games this season.

Carle is under contract through 2017-18 and is a $5.5 million hit to the team's cap. He has not been approached by the Bolts to waive his modified no-move clause and hopes to finish this contract in Tampa Bay. But he did admit, "That's out of my control." The game has left Carle behind and he's become an expensive anchor in Tampa's uptempo attack. There's no reason to have him on any fantasy roster right now.

Carle (illness) will be back in the lineup Sunday against the Senators, Bryan Burns of NHL.com reports.

Carle was expected to draw back into the lineup Sunday after indicating earlier he felt better, and that's indeed the case. He'll pair with Jason Garrison for the contest, and should be good to go moving forward.

Carle (illness) won't play Friday against the Capitals, Erik Erlendsson of The Tampa Tribune reports.

Nikita Nesterov will draw into Tampa Bay's lineup for Friday's contest in Carle's absence. Carle will hope to return to action Sunday against the Senators.

Carle continues to log heavy minutes, but hasn't been rewarded with any points in his first 13 games.

There once was a day when Carle flashed offence -- he had 40 points back in 2010-11. But he has solidified a role as a defensive anchor and spends far more time being a wet wool blanket on opposing forwards than pushing the pace on the breakout. Carle is as steady as they come on the ice. He's just not a steady fantasy performer.

Carle (undisclosed) will play in Sunday's Game 5 against the Rangers, ESPN's Mike Mazzeo reports.As expected, Carle will rejoin the lineup after missing Friday's Game 4. He figures to work on the third defensive pairing alongside Andrej Sustr.