Matt Carle retired on Friday. After 12 seasons, 730 NHL games, 4 teams and 0 Stanley Cups, the Alaska native had decided to hang up the skates for good. His last game was with Nashville, a 6-1 beating at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks in which he was on the ice for 14 minutes in which he recorded not a point, penalty or shot. With his retirement, the chapter was closed on one of the few misfires of Steve Yzerman’s otherwise stellar record as general manager.
Carle actually had two tours with the Lightning, first as the key piece acquired in one of the the ugliest breakups/trades in franchise history (Owners Fault Category), than as a seasoned free agent veteran who was looked at as bringing stability to a young organization.