Veteran defenseman Matt Carle has announced Friday that he will retire from hockey at age 32.

After clearing waivers, the Nashville Predators put Carle on unconditional waivers, which clears the path for the two parties to terminate Carle’s contract and will allow him to retire, as first reported by Adam Vingan of The Tennessean.

“It has been an honor to be a player in the National Hockey League and play for four great organizations over the past 12 seasons,” Carle said in a statement. “At this time, I have decided to retire as a National Hockey League player. I want to thank the San Jose Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Nashville Predators for the opportunity to play for each organization. I would also like to thank all the fans that I have met throughout my career for the support that you have given me. Most importantly, I want to thank my family for all the sacrifices they have made on behalf of my career. My Parents, brothers, and wife Clancey allowed me to focus on the pursuit of playing the best sport in the world, in the best League in the world and I will always be grateful.”

“The Nashville Predators would like to congratulate defenseman Matt Carle on a successful and decorated hockey career,” said Predators president of hockey operations and general manager David Poile. “In addition to 730 career NHL games and an All-Rookie Team selection in 2007, Matt is one of just four defensemen in the last 32 years to win the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player, was a two-time NCAA Champion, a World Junior and World Under-18 Champion for the United States, and a World Championship medalist. We would like to thank Matt for his commitment and dedication to the game, and wish he and his family the best as they move into the next chapter of their lives.”

Carle posted a career-low nine points through 64 games with the Lightning last season. That performance was followed by a buyout from Tampa. The Predators decided to take a risk by giving him a one-year $700,000 deal. He saw just six games with Predators before this announcement.

While the termination of his contract takes the Predators off the hook for his contract, the Lightning will continue to pay $1.833 million against the cap for his buyout in each of the next four seasons.

Carle played a total of 730 games in his career, scoring 45 goals and 238 assists.

Detroit Red Wings – Jimmy Howard – Photo Credit: Andy Martin Jr

Howard Placed on IR

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard has been placed on injured reserve after suffering an injury in the first period of Friday’s game against the New Jersey Devils. He saw just three shots before heading to the locker room.

Howard was replaced by Petr Mrazek, who manned the net for a 5-4 Detroit win in overtime.

The Red Wings have recalled Jared Coreau from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins to backup Mrazek.

Enstrom Leaves Winnipeg

Veteran defender Tobias Enstrom has left the Jets indefinitely to deal with a personal matter back home in Sweden.

“He had to get home to Sweden for a family situation that’s come up briefly with the full and complete support of the Winnipeg Jets organization,” head coach Paul Maurice said. “We’re hopeful that he comes back and it’s a positive result, and we get him back real soon. But I don’t know when he’s going to be able to return.”

Enstrom’s 22:22 average ice time ranks third among Jets defensemen.

Brandon Prust. Photo: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Prust Leaves Toronto

32-year-old forward Brandon Prust is leaving Toronto to take a deal with the DEL’s Nürnberg Ice Tigers in German, according to a report from TSN’s Darren Dreger.

Prust took a PTO with the Leafs during the preseason and has remained with the club to practice despite not earning a contract during his tryout.

The veteran of 486 NHL games has spent time with the Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks.

Penguins Unveil Jerseys

The Pittsburgh Penguins have unveiled their jerseys for the Stadium Series game on Feb. 25 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

As the Penguins celebrate their 50th anniversary season, they’ll be wearing these great golden jerseys onto Heinz Field.

Sissons Injured

Nashville Predators forward Colton Sissons left Friday’s game with an upper-body injury after Winnipeg rookie Brandon Tanev hit him from behind.

The hit took place in the second period and earned Tanev a five-minute major for boarding.

“The hit from behind, we don’t want that in the game,” said Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice after the game. “It wasn’t an unexpected hit from behind, but it was a hit from behind.”

The Predators also lost James Neal to an upper-body injury Friday.

Odds & Ends

– Brent Burns knocked one past Thomas Greiss Friday from center ice. Yikes.

– This is one of the weirder things you’re going to see in any game this season.