News:Matt Carkner (lower body) will return to action Thursday against Montreal.
Analysis: With Matt Carkner back in the Isles' lineup, Radek Martinek will take a seat on Thursday.
News:Matt Carkner (lower body) could come off IR for Thursday's game against Montreal, Newsday reports.
Analysis: In that case, Matt Carkner, who has been sidelined since Feb. 5, would likely step into the lineup for Radek Martinek on Thursday.
News:Matt Carkner (lower body) was back on the ice Tuesday, according to Newsday's Arthur Staple.
Analysis:Matt Carkner has been out for a little over a month with this injury, but looks to be close to a return. Carkner's only real value to the Isles is the toughness he adds to the lineup and his ability to clear out opposing players from the crease.
News:Matt Carkner (lower body) may have suffered a setback, according to Newsday.
Analysis:Matt Carkner was skating and thought to be close to a return about 10 days ago, but is now off the ice and not practicing with the team. Consider him out indefinitely as a result.
News:Matt Carkner (lower body) practiced Sunday but is not expected to play Monday against the Flyers.
Analysis:Matt Carkner, who is currently on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, has failed to make much of an impact so far this season (zero points), so his expected absence Monday shouldn't hamper too many fantasy lineups.
News:Matt Carkner (lower body) is expected to return Monday versus Philadelphia, according to Newsday.
Analysis:Matt Carkner's only real value to the Isles and fantasy owners is with his toughness and ability to drop the gloves, which could come in handy against the Flyers.
News:Matt Carkner (lower body) was placed on IR Friday, according to Newsday's Arthur Staple.
Analysis: The move was made to open up a roster spot for Josh Bailey. The Isles also have an extra d-man now that Lubomir Visnovsky has reported.
News:Matt Carkner is out for Thursday's game against the Rangers with a lower body injury, ESPN New York reports.
Analysis:Matt Carkner has started slow this season but has totaled 20 penalty minutes along with six shots on goal. He is out for Thursday's game but it could be short-term.
News:Matt Carkner officially signed with the Islanders for three years and $4.5 million on Sunday, according to Newday's Arthur Staple.
Analysis: It was originally thought Colorado had signed Matt Carkner but apparently the Isles swooped in late with a better offer before pen hit paper. This deal should also add a little vinegar to the rivalry between the Isles and Rangers as Carkner was a target of the Blueshirts after boarding Brian Boyle during the first round of the playoffs.
News:Matt Carkner's contract with Colorado has not been officially announced and now there are reports he has actually signed a three-year deal with the Islanders, according to TSN's Aaron Ward.
Analysis: It appears Matt Carkner passed on the Avs' offer when the Isles offered a third year. There are no details of the deal, but he brings a big, surly presence to the Isles' back end.
News:Matt Carkner has signed with the Avalanche, according to the Avalanche's Twitter feed.
Analysis: An official announcement is expected soon. He brings toughness to the Avs' back end and sin bin points to your fantasy squad.
News:Matt Carkner will have a hearing with the NHL's VP of discipline Brendan Shanahan on Sunday regarding his punch of New York's Brian Boyle on Saturday, the Ottawa Sun reports.
Analysis:Matt Carkner started the ugly brawl and was thrown out during the first period of Saturday's game. A suspension appears likely for Carkner.
News:Matt Carkner has been suspended one game for his punch of the Rangers' Brain Boyle, Andrew Gross of the Bergen Record reports.
Analysis:Matt Carkner's punch ignited a brutal brawl in Game 2 of the Senators' series with the Rangers. He'll be back for Game 4.
News:Matt Carkner was ejected from Game 2 on Saturday after starting an ugly fight at the 2:15 mark of the first period. He received a two-minute minor for instigating, a five-minute major for fighting and a 10-minute game misconduct.
Analysis: He threw Brian Boyle to the ice and as Boyle attempted to cover his face to protect himself, Matt Carkner lost his mind and started to just wail on the helpless Ranger. The move was to avenge Boyle's mistreatment of Erik Karlsson in Game 1 but the move left the Sens with just five defensemen for the rest of the game.
News:Matt Carkner will be a healthy scratch Tuesday night against Boston, TSN.ca reports.
Analysis: Matt Gilroy is taking his place in the lineup, although we would be surprised if there are any fantasy owners in position to feel pain with Matt Carkner spending Tuesday night -- and potentially some time beyond -- in the press box.
News:Matt Carkner will play his first game of the season Saturday night against the Canucks after recovering from a knee injury reports the Ottawa Citizen.
Analysis: While he has little fantasy value apart from penalty minutes, Matt Carkner's energy level should be pretty high Saturday night which should carry over to his other teammates. He played some warmup games in Binghamton with Ottawa's AHL affiliate and was recalled on Thursday.
News: The Senators recalled Matt Carkner (knee) from AHL Binghamton on Thursday, according to the team's official Twitter page.
Analysis:Matt Carkner was sent to Binghamton last week on a conditioning assignment. He has not appeared in an NHL game this season after undergoing knee surgery in September, but he is ready to re-join the NHL club after playing in three AHL games. Carkner will not play Thursday, but don't be surprised if he makes his season debut in Saturday's game against the Canucks.
News:Matt Carkner has been sent down to the AHL for a coniditioning assignment, the Senators' official Twitter feed reports.
Analysis: Look for Matt Carkner to be back with the top squad in a couple of weeks. He doesn't add much offensively for either the Senators or fantasy teams, but he's a penalty minute monster -- in 131 games since 2009, he's record 326 penalty minutes.
News:Matt Carkner (knee) has been cleared to participate fully in practices, Wayne Scanlan of the Ottawa Citizen reports.
Analysis:Matt Carkner will need a few practice sessions to get back into playing shape, but the Senators expect to have him available again within the next two weeks.
News:Matt Carkner (knee) took part in Wednesday's morning skate, the Ottawa Citizen reports.
Analysis: Though Matt Carkner skated Wednesday, head coach Paul MacLean said he is still a couple weeks away from returning to game action.
News:Matt Carkner took the ice for the Senators morning skate on Saturday. It was the first time he skated after knee surgery almost a month ago.
Analysis: For fantasy purposes, Carker really only helps with penalty minutes, and seeing as there is still no timetable for his return, you can look elsewhere if you need a tough guy.
News:Matt Carkner (knee) will be out of action for at least a month, reports the Ottawa Citizen.
Analysis: After undergoing surgery, his rehab is expected to be approximately four to six weeks. It's the same knee that Matt Carkner had problems with last year, keeping him out of the last few months of the regular season. Fantasy-wise, Carkner only helps with penalty minutes, and his absence opens up some room for highly touted rookie defender David Rundblad to earn some playing time with the big club.
News:Matt Carkner (knee) had surgery Monday and is out indefinitely, Wayne Scanlan of the Ottawa Citizen reports.
Analysis: Presumably, he'll land on IR in the coming days as it sounds like he'll miss at least a few games with this injury.
News:Matt Carkner (lower body) did not skate Thurday, The Ottawa Citizen reports.
Analysis: The defenseman injured his knee last season and was forced to miss 32 games. It is uncertain whether Matt Carkner will be ready to go October 7 against Detroit. Carkner spent 136 minutes in the penalty box last season, and 190 minutes (81 games) in 2009.
News:Matt Carkner (knee) will play in his first preseason game Saturday, TSN's Brent Wallace reports.
Analysis:Matt Carkner's knee has finally healed to the point that he was cleared to resume game action. Don't expect him to play heavy minutes in his first game since last season.
News: Coach Cory Clouston confirmed that Carkner had recent arthroscopic surgery on his knee, but isn't sure if he'll return before the end of the season, according to Bruce Garrioch of the QMI Agency.
Analysis: Carkner's last game was Feb. 26, and with so little for the Sens to play for, there's not much rush to bring him back unless he's clearly 100 percent healthy.
News: Carkner (lower body) will not play Saturday against the Oilers, the Senators' official site reports.
Analysis: Carkner played through the injury in Wednesday's loss to Calgary, but he's still not 100 percent and remains day-to-day. Consider him questionable for Tuesday's matchup with the Islanders.
News: Carkner (lower body) will travel with the team on their four-game road trip, but it is unknown when he'll be ready to play, the Ottawa Citizen reports.
Analysis: Carkner is usually reliable for some penalty minutes, but with just five points on the season, it's hard to justify having him on a fantasy roster.
News: Carkner will sit in the pressbox for Friday's road game against Chicago reports Sportsnet's Ian Mendes.
Analysis: If you're counting on Carkner to provide your fantasy team with some penalty minutes, find help elsewhere for Friday's games. Brian Lee will replace Carkner in the lineup.
News: Carkner will be a healthy scratch against Pittsburgh on Sunday, Rogers Sportsnet's Ian Mendes reports.
Analysis: Carkner can provide PIMs when he's on the ice, but he'll be a volatile fantasy option until he cements a permanent spot in the lineup.
News: Carkner, who was a game-time decision Friday with an ankle injury, not only played against the Avalanche, but he also scored his first goal of the season in the game.
Analysis: Carkner is an agitator, someone who racks up penalty minutes on a frequent basis. With that in mind, know that any score by No. 39 is purely random.
News: Carkner (ankle) will be a game-time decision for Friday's game against Colorado, the Senators' official site reports.
Analysis: Carkner is still recovering after being cut on the leg by a teammates skate. He missed Thursday's game because of the injury.
News: Carkner (ankle) will miss Thursday's game after being injured in practice Tuesday.
Analysis: He was cut by teammate Erik Karlsson's skate and needed stitches. Brian Lee will dress in his place.
News: Carkner will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season in Ottawa's game against Pittsburgh on Friday afternoon reports Sportsnet's Ian Mendes.
Analysis: Ottawa is trying to generate more offense from the backend and that means Carkner, a shutdown defender, will be the odd man out Friday afternoon.
News: Carkner leads the Senators with 53 penalty minutes.
Analysis: Carkner's value comes away from the puck as a physical player and an agitator. On top of hits and blocks, this leads to gaudy PIMs totals, but not much else can be had with Carkner.
News: Ottawa D Matt Carkner was knocked out of Thursday's game against the Penguins for most of the second period by a hand injury but returned. He had an assist and finished at plus-1 in 10:58 of ice time.
Analysis: Carkner netted his 10th point of the season on Thursday. While he does contribute the occasional point, Carkner is primarily on the ice for his enforcer skills. Carkner remains a solid option in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: Senators D Matt Carkner failed to record a point and finished at minus-1 on Sunday against the Hurricanes. He did spend two minutes in the penalty box for roughing. Carkner has no points in his last six games, but he does have 19 penalty minutes in that span.
Analysis: Carkner played all of two NHL games coming into 2009-10. He has since dressed for 46 contests in 2009-10. Carkner impressed coach Cory Clouston in training camp with his grittiness and it has kept him in the lineup. Carkner has only seven points, but he has totaled 116 penalty minutes. Carkner remains a solid option in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: Senators enforcer Matt Carkner scored and finished with a plus-3 rating in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Penguins.
Analysis: After mostly behaving himself in October, Carkner has been in the penalty box in every November game so far and remains a solid option in deeper leagues that reward bad behavior.
News: The Ottawa Sun reports that Senators D Matt Carkner has signed a two-year contract extension worth $1.4 million.
Analysis: Carkner is a 28-year-old who has spent most of his career picking up a ton of penalty minutes in the minors. If he can provide some offense for the Sens, he will be worth a look in deeper leagues that reward bad behavior, so keep an eye on his stats over the next couple of weeks.
News: Senators D Matt Carkner scored his first NHL goal and added an assist in Thursday's win over the Islanders.
Analysis: Carkner is a 28-year-old who has spent most of his career picking up a ton of penalty minutes in the minors. If he can provide some offense for the Sens, he will be worth a look in deeper leagues that reward bad behavior, so keep an eye on his stats over the next couple of weeks.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Senators D Matt Carkner made his presence felt by fighting veteran tough guy Donald Brashear in the third period of Saturday's game against the Rangers. Carkner, who was playing in just his third NHL game, had no points in 17:05 of ice time.
Analysis: Ottawa has lacked a heavyweight since Brian McGrattan was shipped out prior to the start of last season. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Carkner will fill that bill. Carkner could eventually be bumped off the blue line, if Ottawa finds some depth. But for now, he remains a Fantasy flier in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: The Ottawa Senators have placed D Matt Carkner (hand) and RW Niko Dimitrakos (hip) on injured reserve to start the regular season.
Analysis: When healthy, Carkner is not a recommended Fantasy option. He is likely to head to Binghamton of the AHL when he is 100 percent.
News: The Pittsburgh Penguins reassigned D Matt Carkner, F Erik Christensen, F Stephen Dixon, D Micki DuPont, F Jonathan Filewich, F Connor James, F Tyler Kennedy and D Alain Nasreddine to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL on Monday.
Analysis: Carkner and Christensen have the best chance of being recalled at some point, but none of the eight players mentioned are worthy of any Fantasy consideration.
News: Matt Carkner was recalled from Cleveland of the AHL on Monday and he made his NHL debut against the Flames.
Analysis: Carkner picked up his first-career point in the game and he also took a costly penalty. Avoid him in all Fantasy leagues, as his playing time should be sporadic at least initially.
