Top Chris Neil News
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Chris Neil: Announces retirement
Neil announced his retirement from the NHL on Thursday.
Neil -- who spent his entire 15-year NHL career with the Senators -- was offered a PTO with the Canadiens at the start of the season, but declined, preferring to stick with one team. Even in the locked-out 2004-05 campaign, the 38-year-old played for Ottawa's AHL affiliate in Binghamton, rather than heading overseas like many other players. Drafted by the team in the sixth round of the 1998 NHL Draft, the winger would go on to play in 1,026 games as a persistent pest and enforcer and racking up 2,522 PIM (20th all-time). In addition to his time spent in the box, the Ontario native tallied 112 goals and 138 assists in the regular season, as well as accruing 19 points -- and 204 more PIM -- in 95 playoff contests.
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Chris Neil: Unfazed by lack of calls in free agency
Neil is "not stressed at all" by the fact that he hasn't signed with a new team four weeks into free agency, Postmedia reports.
Neil's fourth contract with the Senators has expired, so he's looking for work as an unrestricted free agent. Apparently, the 38-year-old is getting attention on the open market, but he won't take just any offer that's on the table. "Everything is pretty quiet right now," Neil said. "Obviously, I've had some offers from teams. Looking at it, it wasn't the right fit at the time. There's some stuff in the air, and we're still going through it. It's not just me I'm thinking about. It's my wife and my kids. It's got to be the right kind of fit, like Ottawa has been through my whole career." Indeed, Neil had been property of the Sens since they drafted him in the sixth round of the 1998 draft. He's accumulated 250 points (112 goals, 138 assists) in 1,026 games.
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Chris Neil: Will be let go
Neil will not be brought back by the Senators next season, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.
Neil has been with Ottawa for the past 15 seasons since being selected by the organization in the sixth round of the 1998 NHL Draft. Unfortunately for the 37-year-old, changes to the game have made enforcers a relic of the past. The winger played in a mere 53 outings this year, totaling four points and 63 PIM. Neil will look to catch on with another team, but if he doesn't, he will retire as No. 20 all time in PIM with 2,522.
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Senators' Chris Neil: Expected to watch Game 1 from press box
Neil is likely to serve as a healthy scratch Saturday for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Penguins, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.
The elder statesman needs to draw into just five more postseason contests to reach 100 in his career, but we suspect the Senators will be looking to deploy a skater with more of an offensive touch to hang with the attack-happy Penguins.
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Senators' Chris Neil: Likely to make 2017 playoff debut Saturday
Neil is expected to play in Game 5 against the Rangers on Saturday, John Shannon of Sportsnet reports.
Neil hasn't hit game ice since April 9, but he's on track to be unleashed in a pivotal playoff contest. The Senators evidently don't want to get outmuscled in their own barn, and deploying the grizzled veteran certainly plays to that idea. Neil hasn't appeared in a playoff game since 2014-15, but he's been involved in 93 total postseason contests. Don't expect miracles from Neil from a fantasy standpoint since he'll almost assuredly be in a bottom-six role.
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Senators' Chris Neil: Back in lineup for finale
Neil (finger) will rejoin the lineup for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Islanders.
It's tough to tell if Neil's recent absence was a healthy scratch, but he will return with a large number of healthy bodies taking a day off for the finale. Considering he owns just three points despite dressing for 52 games this season, the veteran shouldn't be a target in daily lineups Sunday.
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Senators' Chris Neil: Remains out of lineup
Neil (finger) was listed as a scratch for Tuesday's game against the Red Wings.
Neil last suited up Feb. 26, but he's now off IR and available to the Sens if they wish to add some grit up front down the stretch. In 52 games this season, the 37-year-old winger has tallied one goal and three points to go along with 63 PIM.
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Senators' Chris Neil: On ice Monday
Neil (finger) was spotted on the ice during Monday's practice session, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.
Neil has been sidelined since late February because of the finger injury. While his presence on the ice Monday is certainly a positive sign, no timeline has been placed on the veteran winger's potential return date. Considering he owns just three points over 52 games this season, it shouldn't concern many in the fantasy realm, but Neil is at least tracking toward a return to the lineup.
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Senators' Chris Neil: Week-to-week with broken finger
Neil (finger) is expected to miss "weeks" due to his broken finger, Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun reports.
In terms of fantasy value, Neil doesn't offer much outside of PIM, considering he averages a meager 7:26 of ice time and has snagged a paltry three points in 52 outings this season. One of the last remaining enforcers in the league, Neil is significantly more likely to get into a scrap than score a goal.
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Senators' Chris Neil: Lands on IR
Neil (finger) is showing on injured reserve, per the NHL's official media site.
Neil is the team's elder statesman, having spent all 14 years of his NHL career (and counting) in Ottawa. He remains a punishing line defender, as he's up to 107 hits and 63 PIM in 52 games this season, but there's very little that he can do with the puck, so his appeal in fantasy hockey is marginal at best.
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Senators' Chris Neil: Out about a week due to broken finger
Neil will miss approximately a week due to a broken finger, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.
Neil's absence won't hurt as much with both Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone back in the fold offensively. The addition of veteran Alex Burrows from the Canucks on Monday lessens the blow even more, though he likely won't be ready to draw into Monday's lineup against the Lightning. The earliest Neil will likely be available arrives either Saturday against the Blue Jackets or Monday against the Bruins, but his role remains unclear even when healthy. However, previous reports suggested that the veteran is back in the Senators' plans.
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Senators' Chris Neil: Back in team's immediate plans
Neil will return to the lineup Tuesday against the Devils after being a healthy scratch, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reports.
The veteran tough guy is back in the mix with Mike Hoffman (groin) and Mark Stone (neck) sitting out with injuries, not to mention that Bobby Ryan (finger) is expected to be out until at least April. Neil is expected to see his most consistent playing time in the immediate future, but he's only worth targeting in the very deepest of fantasy formats if you need cheap penalty minutes and hits.
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Senators' Chris Neil: Playing time continues to dwindle
Neil has played 5:33 or less in each of his past four games.
Neil, best known for his pugilism, continues to see very little ice time. He has managed just one goal, three points and a minus-9. The only way Neil can help fantasy owners in deeper pools is in the penalty minutes category.
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Senators' Chris Neil: Drops the gloves in 1,000th career game
Neil played in his 1,000th career NHL game Saturday and picked up a fighting major in the process.
He dropped the gloves against Jordan Nolan. Neil joins Daniel Alfredsson and Chris Phillips as the only Senators to reach that important mark.
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Player Bio
HT/WT: 6-1, 209 lbs |
Birthplace: Flesherton, ON |
Age: 45 |
Shoots: Right |