Lightning trades Matt Carle

In a deal that flew below everybody's radar, the Lightning on Friday traded defenseman Matt Carle and a 2009 third-round draft pick to the Flyers for defenseman Steve Eminger, right wing Steve Downie and a 2009 fourth-round draft pick.

Carle, acquired on July 4 from San Jose in the Dan Boyle deal, was very up and down for Tampa Bay. He showed moments of real skill, but as often was poor in the defensive zone. He also was making $2.95-million this season. Eminger has not been fabulous for the Flyers, either.

He has two assists, eight penalty minutes and has an even plus-minus in 12 games and is averaging 17:52 of ice time. Carle has a goal and an assist, is plus-1 and averages 21:57.   

Eminger is a right-handed shot, something that is few and far between on the blue line, and is making $1.2-million. So, I guess if you are going to trade one inconsistent defenseman for another, you might as well clear $1.7-million of cap and salary space.

Downie, you might recall from last season's 20-game suspension for running Ottawa's Dean McAmmond during a preseason game. Downie is expected to report to AHL Norfolk.

Comments

[ben bolt fan]

I will have to agree with kipp. I would like to see Smaby ahead of Lundin for the pyhsical portion of the game. Smaby likes the body and this team needs a body chekcer at the blue line real bad. Carle was a bum from the word go and that is why San Jose gave away so much to get Boyle. They are not regreting there move. Seen there record new owners!!!!

[Kipp]

Geezie it's not that bad of a trade. Eminger isn't much older than Carle and he's got about as much potential. And everybody's forgetting about Ty Wishart, the other player in the Boyle trade. Now only if they'd move Lundin down to Norfolk and bring up Smaby...

[Geezus]

I think I just became a Sharks fan. Move over Boyle,here I come.GO SHARKS!!!

[JeffC]

Steve Downie is a punk.

Let me repeat: STEVE DOWNIE IS A PUNK.

I still want some one to tell me is the right time for me to complain and not be labaled a fair weather fan. This has to be absolutley the biggest joke i have heard. They treated Boyle like dirt, trade him for carle then get rid of carl for eminger. I do not care what any one say, this team is going no where with the two yahoos running it. They are clueless and shold stick to what they do best(and i have never seen any SAW movies) making movies. I will not reserve judgement just because it's early in the season. The ownership of this team does not know what they are doing. Has to make you laugh when San Jose is on top or very close to it from the last time i checked. Hope Boyle laughs all the way to the stanly cup, wins it and then parades it around Tampa. I am sick of this team and the owners.

[Steve R]

Mike13,

Gonch?

Schultz's size led to comments of his being "Prongeresque" when he was drafted. That's the only thing they have in common is size. Everybody hopes for the best at draft day.

The hope for Emmy was to be a puck mover. When you watch him you'll quickly realize that he's no Gonch. If there are two choices on which way to go with (or pass) the puck, odds are Emmy will choose the wrong one. His play is why he sat in the press box most nights for us. He was on the ice for the Flyers because they have no depth at D.

[danger]

OK Carle is gone, I'm fine with that. That guy was unpredictable back there, and most of the time he was a liability. We've always been criticized about having a poor minor league system, and now when we actually do have some talent in the AHL, we keep them down there.

BRING UP MATT SMABY

LOSE VRBATA, BRING UP KONOPKA/BOCHENSKI

[Tony]

Maybe the "Cowboys From Hell" can unload Vrbata...Bieksa?

[Mike13]

Mike P - good point. I forgot about Wyshart.

Tallahassee Mike - also a good point. Lots of trades in this young season, all on the defense while our excess of forwards continue to not be dealt.

Steve R - you'll probably remember that Eminger was the heir apparent to Gonchar in Washington and the vision was that someday, he would be running the PP. Then, the coaches never really gave him a shot.

His stats look worse than his play.

As for Downie, as much as I have disdain for his actions against Macammond last year, he is a pretty talented kid and brings more than just agitating ability and illegal body checks.

[Bob]

However the guy is that posted anonymous and said this trade is a win for the Bolts should go and watch soccer or maybe figure skating.You wouldnt know a good trade if it fell on you.Ultimately this trade turns into Boyle for Eminger and if you think is a good trade you need your head examined.

[sandro]

Have you seen Eminger vs the Sens? He played awful. He fell down twice and gave the Sens two big break aways. Hope he plays better when he wears our jersey

[Tallahassee Mike]

I've been optimistic this whole time, but WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? HOW ABOUT TRADING SOME OF OUR EXCESS FORWARDS?

shut up you bunch of whiners. if only one of you knew the game of hockey you might understand something. this deal is a win for the lightning. no doubt.

unbelievable. just one big joke this team has turned in to.

[McGz]

for what it's worth flyers fans are sorry to see downie go. Young and full of grit he never seemed to get a fair shake. Tomorrows game should be interesting. I'd like to see arty take carle out on the boards and eminger score a couple goals on the pp. Go bolts!

[Tom M]

Panic setting in already given Barrie's guarantee that the Lightning would win the Southeast...all this move proves is that "Chainsaw" Koules and the other Saw Boys in the front office are clueless when it comes to judging hockey talent. Carle was pathetic from the start and now Eminger and Downie??? Heck, it's not even April 1st yet and already the joke's on us!

Go Bolts!

[mike p]

As I said long ago, how Ty Wishart turns out as a player, will really be the only part of the boyle deal that affects the lightning. Can't say I'm unhappy with this trade because I didn't find Carle great, or even good.

[Don in St. Pete]

If they could swing a deal for Ohlund, that would give us a legitimate NHL d on paper. Let's be clear here though in that the d has not been all of the problem by any stretch. Acquiring Ohlund may not necessarily be in the cards, though I hope it is.

All together now: "WE WANT MATTY!!! WE WANT MATTY!! WE WANT MATTY!!"

[Fat Jay]

And you thought I made bad trades!!!

[olin]

...will be "nicer" for me if they can swing a deal for Big Matty. At least that will be a positive on D. Give 'em Vrbata, and Craig for the big guy.

[olin]

...don't worry Herb, price of gas is coming down pretty good in gibsonton...

[shock therapy]

This is looking more and more like fantasy hockey.

With a little luck I will get a week-long tryout to get in shape for a shot on the Lightning Defense

[haha, the cowboys are at it again.]

we get rid of a promising ex hobey baker winner and we receive a bum ex first rounder who hasnt lived up to the hype and a career goon who plays dirty hockey. good job lawton.

[Tampo Wine Guy]

I'm unloading my season tickets at half price. The only reason I can get even that miniscule sum is because I threw in coach bill's happy hours at Shots. I assured the buyers they would not be required to tip.

[wilson]

The worst thing you all don't seem to get is that these movie moguls and land developer are only "renting" the team. They will be long gone as we the fans and season ticket holders wind up holding the bag. Don't expect DC to be anything but a cheerleader for this fading franchise as his employer's name is on the building. The whole thing stinks to high heaven.

[Beau]

Boltflasher,

Not sure who you are thinking of, but Eminger is not a physical presence.

[Andrzej]

It has been clear to me that TBL needs a professional manager. Enthusiasm is a necessary but yet not a sufficient condition for a success. Every business that undermines a professionalism eventually pays the price. Being a player is a different profession than being a manager.

[Don in St. Pete]

WOW! What else can I say! I guess we should have seen this coming. Carle hadn't been getting the minutes on the PP in recent games. Eminger being an even plus minus for Philly so far is probably not a bad thing as they've allowed a boatload of goals. To answer Steve R. we have no right handed defensemen since Heward was sent down so that is a good thing. Maybe it's Vrbata and Niskala for Ohlund or Vrbata and Eminger? Who knows anymore? I'm kind of surprised they gave up on Carle so soon, but the Flys are in for a treat. Of course he won't have to long the kind of minutes with them he did with us. I like the Downie pickup. We can use a little more grit for sure.

[boltcc]

We gave away Boyle for Emmiger? How bout Lecavalier for Sean Avery while were at it

[Boltflasher]

Jimbo, yes, clearing some cap space and salary to bring in Ohlund? who goes back the other way with Carle gone to Philly? They are going to want something substantial...Vrbata?

[rod]

actually my bad Eminger is not that old, I was thinking of Malik and Krajek.

[rod]

So now our crappy young defense has turned into a crappy old defense, not seeing the logic behind these moves.

If eminger is just another investor in Barrie Lawtons resort i'm done as a fan of this team.

[Herb]

Hey Olin, about you only getting a 10 pack, don't rub it in to a disgruntled full season ticket holder. Sure to be my last with the "cowboys" at the helm.

[Jimbo]

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/van081107.html

Maybe their are other things in motion???

[Boltflasher]

Eminger brings, as mentioned, the right hand shot but also brings a physical 6'2", 217# presence to the Bolts. Maybe he can clear Voros out of there...amazed though that they gave up on their "project", Carle, already. Adds additional interest to the Philly game...

[Deanhall]

I have only one question. Who the hell was the idiot that scouted Matt Karl and who were the idiots that evaluated the trade for Boyle? If it's Brian Lawton, then Lawton should be cut immediately. Any season ticket holder at the games could see how horrible Karl was from the outset

[olin]

...I can't believe it- these guy's are really getting on my nerve's. Boyle and Luke for Eminger and Downie??? and a no chance for Carle. I can only wait to see what the roster will be by the end of the season. I hate to say it, but I am getting tired of these ridiculous moves. Am so glad I only did a 10 pak....

[Herb]

I got an idea for the "cowboys". If they are so concerned with salary, then trade Vinny4 to the Thrashers for a first round draft pick and then the Bolts would have the first 2 picks in the '09 draft .

[MaxHunter]

Wow, as much as I was sticking up for the group and the team - this just made me scratch my head. Other than, it clears space - that alone makes me wonder if they're eyeing someone else more productive. But, without knowing all I can say is, "Wow! I didn't see that coming."

[Not happy]

I'm a Flyers fan and I'm furious with this trade. Downie has been in the dog house last year and this year because the coach picks favourites. He and a couple of others have been completely mis-used and you guys are going to reap the benefits. Downie is a very smart player, good scorer, gritty and a good play maker. He won't get noticed in TB as much as he did in Philly so his rep shouldn't be that big a deal. Very few Flyers fans are happy right now.

[bingo]

This makes no sense at all........ what a joke..... what next V4 for the mighty ducks.

bingo

[Herb]

That figures, they trade Boyle and Luke for a bag of peanuts and get shelled. I am at a loss for words with this team now. I am with the others who "want a refund" on my season tickets. I am so regretting spending my hard earned money on another inferior product. I hated Carle ever since they took him on. They could have found a better trade and missed like most of the Bolts shots on net this and last year.

[McGz]

It seems that Lawton likes to just acquire previous first rd picks, even if they're a bust. Not too keen on Eminger, but Carle just needed time to grow. Shame.

[tundo]

Philly has to be rejoicing knowing that the Bolts once again have a GM that they can rip off whenever they need to.

[tundo]

Stupid trade. Eminger has been a huge bust. We knew as fans there were going to be growing pains associated with the new squad. I guess the new owners did not...

Starting to lose faith in this group already.

[Tony]

You beat me to it Beau...

[McGz]

This franchise is quickly becoming a laughing stock if not already. Unbelievable! This is a TRANSITION year! There are going to be bumps in the road, this team has imploded after only 11 games. Now its all about salary dumping again.
Carle looked tentative at times, but showed his raw skill, he needs experience, just like any other young blueliner.

[Tony]

...It saves money.That's about it.Downie would add grit and is an agitator but if he's headed for Norfolk who knows...

[Beau]

Downie is the best thing in this deal. He should not be going to Norfolk, but he should be playing here. Steve is the much needed agitator this team has never really had. However, this will certainly expose our need for an enforcer, because Downie will be causing all sorts of ruckus when he makes the team. Unless they try and tame him which would just be stupid.