Jeff Carter's playing days are over, but he may look for a return to the Pittsburgh Penguins organization when he's ready.

PITTSBURGH – Following the Pittsburgh Penguins loss to the New York Islanders, veteran forward Jeff Carter called it a career and announced his retirement from hockey. After 19 years in the NHL, 851 points, 1,321 games, and two Stanley Cup rings, Carter might have enough to earn a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Carter spent three and a half seasons with the Penguins but might be planning on sticking around in his post-playing days. Not long after saying the contest on Long Island would be his last, Carter hinted at a return in an off-ice fashion.

“As far as a role, like I said, I want to take some time,” Carter said. “When the time is right, I’d be open to anything. We’ll see what happens.”

Head coach Mike Sullivan has always spoken highly about Carter, which continued after his retirement announcement.

“I think Carts can do whatever he wants in hockey operations,” Sullivan said. “He’s a really intelligent guy. I looked at him these last couple of years almost as an extension of our coaching staff.”

When you play for 19 years and achieve as much as Carter did, you tend to learn a few things along the way. A decision isn’t going to be made right away, but it’s possible that one day, Carter will return to the Penguins organization in a front-office or coaching role.

To make things easier for that sort of transition, Carter recently made Pittsburgh his home.

“We’re staying,” Carter said. “We moved here in August full-time. We’ve loved it. It’s been a great fit for our family.”

While Carter's future as a new hire in the Penguins organization is a bit further down the road, his immediate plans are to spend time with his family.

“I’m going to be a dad,” Carter said. “You miss a lot being a hockey player. You’re in and out in a way. And even when you’re home, you’re not really there. My family, all hockey families, they sacrifice a lot. I’m going to be home and be a dad for a while.”

When Carter is ready to return, the Penguins will likely have a spot waiting for him. Over these last few years, Carter has been one of the most loved faces and most influential voices in the locker room. Everyone in the organization has a great deal of respect for the veteran, and this likely won’t be the last time we see him around a Penguins rink.

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