Like most, Ryan Dzingel became anxious as he lay on the table.
The game he'd exited after being struck in the side of the head by an errant Erik Karlsson shot was still hanging in the balance, and the seconds were ticking away while the Ottawa Senators medical team was working to sew up the wounds that had opened up around his ear.
His impatience now overriding the pain being dulled by the freezing agent, Dzingel had to ask the question. Though he probably wished he hadn't.
"I don't think I knew how serious it was until Dr. Chow said a couple things," Dzingel told reporters Friday as he offered a recount of the events. "(I was like), 'how much longer is this going to be.' He laughed. 'You have five cuts in your ear. Your ear looks like mashed potato.' So then I kind of figured out that it was serious."
Dzingel was thankful for the job, saying that he owes Chow a few bottles of wine. He would, however, offer one critique.
The 32-year-old made the decision after the Predators placed him on unconditional waivers earlier in the day for the purpose of buying out his contract, according to 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 release. "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."
After putting up a career-low nine points in 64 games with the Lightning last season, the Predators took a gamble with Carle signing him to a one-year, $700,000 contract this offseason. Ultimately Carle played just six games with the club, prior to Friday's news.
"The Nashville Predators would like to congratulate defenseman Matt Carle on a successful and decorated hockey career," Predators general manager David Poile said. "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 played parts of 12 seasons in the league, dressing in 730 games, tallying 45 goals and 283 points.
The goal was Burns' eighth of the season and, after Joe Pavelski scored just 34 seconds earlier, gave the San Jose Sharks a 2-1 lead early in the second period.
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins revealed the jerseys they'll wear for the Stadium Series game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Heinz Field on Feb. 25, 2017.
The Penguins are celebrating their 50th anniversary this season.
The New York Rangers rookie proved that point early in Friday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers, threading a sublime backhand feed to Matt Puempel, who buried it for his first goal with New York in his Rangers debut.
Toews was injured in Wednesday's loss to the Sharks, and head coach Joel Quenneville revealed it was an upper-body ailment at the time, though he didn't provide specifics.
However, Quenneville did reveal Toews' status is also in question for Saturday's contest against the Kings.
Andrei Gavrilov is either extremely confident, or simply absent-minded.
The Salavat Yulaev goaltender nearly gave up an embarrassing goal in the KHL on Friday when he was caught taking a drink of water with his back turned during an oncoming rush by Dinamo Misk.
No one will dispute the fact that his opponents deserved to lose after failing to convert, and sure enough, Salavat hung on for a 2-1 victory.
More than a few NHL clubs have hindered themselves by signing players to hefty, lengthy contracts that come back to haunt their respective general managers, but there are some deals that should be commended.
In the spirit of Black Friday, let's take a look at some of the best bargains on rosters around the league, not including players who are unsigned beyond their entry-level contracts:
Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers
2016-17 salary: $4.3M 2016-17 cap hit: $3.975M
Simmonds is one of the most underrated scorers in the league, starting the season off with 10 goals and 18 points in 21 games after notching a career-high 32 goals in 2015-16.
He's in the fourth year of a six-year extension signed in 2012, and arguably deserves twice as much annually based on the 89 goals and 170 points he's racked up over the previous three campaigns.
Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal Canadiens
2016-17 salary: $3.1M 2016-17 cap hit: $2.8M
Galchenyuk's production has increased in every season since he entered the league in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign:
Season
GP
G
A
P
2012-13
48
9
18
27
2013-14
65
13
18
31
2014-15
80
20
26
46
2015-16
82
30
26
56
The 22-year-old ranks sixth in the NHL with 21 points in his first 21 games this season, and he's done it while averaging only 15:56 in ice time - far less than any of the other top scorers in the league.
He signed a two-year bridge deal worth a total of $5.6 million in the summer of 2015, and he's been worth every penny, and then some, since.
Michael Grabner, New York Rangers
2016-17 salary: $1.65M 2016-17 cap hit: $1.65M
The league's most unlikely sniper finds himself in some elite company at the quarter point of the season.
Grabner is tied for second in the NHL with 12 goals alongside Alex Ovechkin and Patrik Laine, and sits two goals behind the league leader, Sidney Crosby.
This level of production probably isn't sustainable, and Grabner hasn't done anything like this since his first two full seasons in the league, but the two-year, $3.3-million deal he signed with the Rangers on July 1 still seems brilliant in hindsight.
Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
2016-17 salary: $4.25M 2016-17 cap hit: $4M
Most of the attention on the Predators' blueline has been on P.K. Subban, but that's just fine for Josi, who's used to playing second fiddle as he did with Shea Weber prior to the blockbuster trade.
Josi has stepped up in Weber's absence, leading Nashville in average time-on-ice and ranking 10th in the NHL in that category while chipping in 10 points in 19 games.
The Swiss defenseman is coming off a season in which he collected a career-high 47 assists and 61 points, and his value can't be overstated.
He's reliable as they come on the back end, and the Predators are fortunate GM David Poile got him signed at the price he did.
Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins
2016-17 salary: $575,000 2016-17 cap hit: $628,333
Murray usurped the crease from Marc-Andre Fleury last spring, helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup and earning a split of the goaltending duties this season.
The 22-year-old was rewarded with a three-year, $11.25-million extension last month, and even that deal is looking like a steal considering his play so far in 2016-17.
Murray is 6-1-0 with a 1.58 GAA and .945 save percentage in seven games. His strong play and affordable contract make trading Fleury a no-brainer.
More than a few NHL clubs have hindered themselves by signing players to hefty, lengthy contracts that come back to haunt their respective general managers, but there are some deals that should be commended.
In the spirit of Black Friday, let's take a look at some of the best bargains on rosters around the league, not including players who are unsigned beyond their entry-level contracts:
Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers
2016-17 salary: $4.3M 2016-17 cap hit: $3.975M
Simmonds is one of the most underrated scorers in the league, starting the season off with 10 goals and 18 points in 21 games after notching a career-high 32 goals in 2015-16.
He's in the fourth year of a six-year extension signed in 2012, and arguably deserves twice as much annually based on the 89 goals and 170 points he's racked up over the previous three campaigns.
Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal Canadiens
2016-17 salary: $3.1M 2016-17 cap hit: $2.8M
Galchenyuk's production has increased in every season since he entered the league in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign:
Season
GP
G
A
P
2012-13
48
9
18
27
2013-14
65
13
18
31
2014-15
80
20
26
46
2015-16
82
30
26
56
The 22-year-old ranks sixth in the NHL with 21 points in his first 21 games this season, and he's done it while averaging only 15:56 in ice time - far less than any of the other top scorers in the league.
He signed a two-year bridge deal worth a total of $5.6 million in the summer of 2015, and he's been worth every penny, and then some, since.
Michael Grabner, New York Rangers
2016-17 salary: $1.65M 2016-17 cap hit: $1.65M
The league's most unlikely sniper finds himself in some elite company at the quarter point of the season.
Grabner is tied for second in the NHL with 12 goals alongside Alex Ovechkin and Patrik Laine, and sits two goals behind the league leader, Sidney Crosby.
This level of production probably isn't sustainable, and Grabner hasn't done anything like this since his first two full seasons in the league, but the two-year, $3.3-million deal he signed with the Rangers on July 1 still seems brilliant in hindsight.
Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
2016-17 salary: $4.25M 2016-17 cap hit: $4M
Most of the attention on the Predators' blueline has been on P.K. Subban, but that's just fine for Josi, who's used to playing second fiddle as he did with Shea Weber prior to the blockbuster trade.
Josi has stepped up in Weber's absence, leading Nashville in average time-on-ice and ranking 10th in the NHL in that category while chipping in 10 points in 19 games.
The Swiss defenseman is coming off a season in which he collected a career-high 47 assists and 61 points, and his value can't be overstated.
He's reliable as they come on the back end, and the Predators are fortunate GM David Poile got him signed at the price he did.
Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins
2016-17 salary: $575,000 2016-17 cap hit: $628,333
Murray usurped the crease from Marc-Andre Fleury last spring, helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup and earning a split of the goaltending duties this season.
The 22-year-old was rewarded with a three-year, $11.25-million extension last month, and even that deal is looking like a steal considering his play so far in 2016-17.
Murray is 6-1-0 with a 1.58 GAA and .945 save percentage in seven games. His strong play and affordable contract make trading Fleury a no-brainer.
Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Here is a look at the Squad Up NHL daily fantasy picture for Friday, November 25 (games starting prior to 7 p.m. ET are not included):
Triple Threat
C Connor McDavid (84K), LW Milan Lucic (54K), RW Jesse Puljujarvi (36K), Oilers (at Coyotes): The Oilers will get a dream matchup against Arizona. The Coyotes rank 29th in CF% (Corsi For percentage), 30th in xGA60 (expected goals against per 60 minutes) and 29th in SCA60 (scoring chances against per 60 minutes).
C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (53K), LW Patrick Maroon (40K), RW Jordan Eberle (62K), Oilers (at Coyotes): If you can't afford Edmonton's top line, roll with their second line. Arizona is THAT bad. Maroon's offensive ceiling is limited, but his ability to throw his weight around (43 hits) gives him a high floor in Squad Up's scoring system.
C Jason Spezza (48K), LW Patrick Sharp (42K), RW Patrick Eaves (42K), Stars (vs. Canucks): It's nearly impossible to roster both Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin in the same lineup, so stack Dallas' second line. The Canucks might be one of the worst teams in the NHL. They have the fourth worst xGA at 5v5 this year.
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET - Cory Schneider (109K), Devils (vs. Red Wings): Schneider doesn't get the respect he deserves, but he is one of the best goaltenders in the league. His defensive-minded Devils will take on the Red Wings, who own the league's worst 5v5 CF%.
BARGAIN - Jimmy Howard (82K), Red Wings (at Devils): Howard has been phenomenal this season. He has a .943 SV% and a 1.76 GAA. He should be in for another strong start if he gets the call against the offensively challenged Devils.
FADE - Ryan Miller (79K), Canucks (at Stars): The Canucks are a dumpster fire. Miller is so far over the hill that soon he will start rolling down it. Even though he is the cheapest goaltender on the slate, don't go anywhere near him on the road against the high-flying Stars.
CONTRARIAN - Sergei Bobrovsky (80K), Blue Jackets (at Lightning):Bobrovsky is the main reason why the Blue Jackets are in a playoff spot. How long he can keep them there is unclear. His salary is extremely low with a matchup against Tampa, but he has the ability to steal a win if he's on his game.
Bargain Plays
C Cody Eakin (35K), Stars (vs. Canucks): Eakin has gone point-less in all four games he's played this year, but he is skating with Benn and Seguin at 5v5. He has scored 51 goals in the past three seasons and has a great matchup against the Canucks.
RW Jesse Puljujarvi (36K), Oilers (at Coyotes): See the Triple Threat section for an explanation of how bad the Coyotes have been this season. Puljujarvi has had an up and down rookie season, but he has three assists in as many games and is fortunate enough to play with McDavid and Lucic on Edmonton's top line.
D Zach Werenski (33K), Blue Jackets (at Lightning): Werenski should not be this inexpensive, even with a matchup against the Lightning. The Calder Trophy candidate has 15 points in 18 games from the back end. Draft him in tournaments.
Top Fades
D Dougie Hamilton (49K), Flames (at Bruins): Hamilton is having a solid season with 10 points in 22 games, but he is not worthy of being priced as the second-most expensive defenseman. Even though the Bruins are playing their second game of a back-to-back, avoid Hamilton if Tuukka Rask tends twine.
RW P.A. Parenteau (63K), Devils (vs. Red Wings): In no way, shape or form should Parenteau be priced this high. He has eight points in 19 games this year. He plays for a team that fails to generate scoring chances with regularity and his matchup becomes increasingly tough if Howard is in the crease for Detroit.
C Leon Draisaitl (58K), Oilers (at Coyotes): Edmonton has a great matchup, but Draisaitl is stuck on the third line with Zack Kassian and Anton Slepyshev (yikes). He does see time on the top power-play unit, but you're better off drafting the slightly cheaper Nugent-Hopkins if you want a slice of the Oilers offense.
Contrarian Options
C Henrik Sedin (52K) & LW Daniel Sedin (59K), Canucks (at Stars): The Sedin twins are showing signs of age this season, but they are still capable of a multi-point game on any given night. Dallas' goaltending is questionable at best and their D-core is very youthful, opening the door for a huge night by the Sedins.
D T.J. Brodie (26K), Flames (at Bruins): Brodie has been invisible offensively this year, but at his near minimum price, he is worth taking a shot on against the Bruins - especially if they decide to rest Rask. Brodie is coming off back-to-back 40-point seasons.
