According to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, “multiple sources” confirmed the Blue Jackets have put center Jeff Carter on the trading block. That might come as a surprise to some -- Carter was acquired just seven months ago, after all -- but one guy remains unsurprised by this latest development:
Jeff Carter.
“There’s talk about a lot of guys right now,” Carter told The Dispatch. “Our team, with the way the season has gone — the injuries, the standings, and stuff — I don’t think it should come as a surprise to anybody on our team if they end up [in rumors].”
Carter’s appeared in just 30 of Columbus’ 50 games due to a myriad of injuries and hasn’t played since Jan. 8 because of a shoulder issue. When he has been in the lineup, he’s appeared disinterested (10G-7A-17PTS, minus-9) -- though that shouldn’t come as a surprise given his reaction upon being traded to Columbus in the first place.
While Carter insists he hasn’t asked for a trade out of Ohio -- “I’m here to play hockey,” he told Portzline -- Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson did acknowledge he met recently with Carter’s agent, Rick Curren.
PHT Related
The Big Question: Which big name(s) will be traded before the deadline?
Would the Jackets trade Jeff Carter?
Columbus owner knows of “no reason” why Howson won’t be GM next year