I said weeks ago that I didn't like the Steve Eminger, Andrew Alberts pairing. I also have stated many times here that Steve Downie doesn't "get it."

Matt Carle is a huge upgrade in this deal for the Flyers. I'm stunned given the Bolts traded away Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich for Carle over the summer. Boyle was key contributor to the Bolts when they won the Cup in '04 in Tampa.

The Flyers get a better defenseman, a guy who can move the puck, and won't turn it over as easily. The Flyers needed help on the back end more than they needed a top goal scorer like Brendan Shanahan.

Their cap number is $55.88 million.

I found it interesting that Flyers GM Paul Holmgren blamed himself, in part, for the struggles of Downie this season, saying that yo-yo approach had harmed him.

Downie always seemed to take horrible penalties every time they inserted him into the lineup under the guise of "energy." Look at Game 5 vs. Pgh in the East Finals last season. Look at him just recently. When I mentioned that to Holmgren, I found his remark said a lot if you READ between the lines:

"I think he is going to figure it out and be a good player in the league," Holmgren said.

Last summer, I had a conversation with senior management about Downie vs. Claude Giroux. This person said to me that there was concern w/in the organization of just where Downie would fit this season if he and Giroux were on the roster.

"Is there enough ice time to do both these kids justice?" the source said.

Even though Giroux, who had an awful camp, didn't make the roster, it was clear to all of us that Downie wasn't doing enough to earn extra minutes.

This deal looks like a cap dump for Tampa, given the Bolts get less salary back.










I am reporting this on Comcast:

The Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning mixed things up even before Saturday night's game.

The Flyers traded defenseman Steve Eminger, forward Steve Downie and a fourth-round pick in 2009 to the Lightning on Friday in exchange for defenseman Matthew Carle and a third-round pick in 2009.

The Flyers have been searching for ways to bolster their defense, even meeting with 39-year-old, free-agent winger Brendan Shanahan last week.

Carle (6'0, 205) has recorded one goal and one assist, along with 27 blocked shots during 12 games this season.

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