Paul Stastny, a 37-year-old, well-traveled center who transformed his game from a first-line, power-play-type forward to a third- and fourth-line specialist, has decided to retire from the NHL.

Stastny, who played last season, his 17th in the league, with the Carolina Hurricanes, told The Athletic this week that he made his decision this fall.

"I haven't filed anything, but in early September we decided we were done. I didn't put anything out on social media or anything," he told the outlet. "I kind of came into the league quietly, and I'm leaving the league quietly. That's the way I like it. All the people close to me know, and then word always gets out eventually."