Fri, Nov 7, 2008 at 8:00pm

CARLE TO THE FLYERS

The Philadelphia Flyers acquired defenseman Matt Carle and a third-round draft pick in 2009 (San Jose) from the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Steve Eminger, forward Steve Downie and a fourth-round draft pick in 2009.

What does it give the Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers' defense has been looking for another scoring rearguard since training camp. With top offensive blueliner Kimmo Timonen aging and struggling so far, Carle is a nice depth pick for now and the future. He scored an impressive 42 points as a rookie in 2006-07 for San Jose, but hit a sophomore wall last season and never quite caught on in the new Tampa Bay system after being traded to the Lightning during this past off-season.

What does it give the Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning add some grit and drop some salary here. Eminger's salary is much less expensive than Carle's (by over $2 Million this season alone) and Carle's deal lasts four seasons, compared to one year left for Eminger. Downie's contract is also very affordable. Eminger and Downie are also tougher players with untapped offensive upside.

Fantasy impact

Player focus

Philadelphia Flyers

a third-round draft pick in 2009

Matt Carle D

Tampa Bay Lightning

Steve Downie RW

Steve Eminger D

a fourth-round draft pick in 2009