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Jeff Carter finally speaks up after being traded to Columbus

Buffalo Sabres v Philadelphia Flyers - Game Two

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Jeff Carter #17 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Buffalo Sabres during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 16, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

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Things have been a bit trying for Jeff Carter of late. The star center was recently traded by the Flyers, a team that signed him to an 11-year $58 million extension, to Columbus. With Carter signing such a long contract and taking himself out of the running for unrestricted free agency until he’s in his mid-30s. That sort of thing can rankle your nerves and Carter is no different.

While the Blue Jackets hadn’t heard from Carter since the trade went down on Thursday afternoon, GM Scott Howson and coach Scott Arniel went to Philadelphia to meet up with the grumpy star player and came away today with an understanding about where everyone stands and to make sure that no ill feelings are being had towards a new situation in Columbus.

Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch has the story about how Carter didn’t want to stick his foot in his mouth when discussing the deal.

“It’s been a tough couple of days,” Carter said. “I spent six years in Philadelphia. I think so highly of the organization. It was a real shot to me.

“My decision to not talk had absolutely nothing to do with being traded to Columbus. I know it’s a team that has struggled in the past, but there’s a great future there, a lot of young players. I’m excited to be there.”

The fact that the Blue Jackets went ahead and sent their GM, head coach, as well as captain Rick Nash says a lot about how serious they were about cooling things off with Carter and helping welcome him into his new team. Of course, things aren’t all peachy for Carter regarding his thoughts about Philadelphia. Portzline has more on that.

In fact, Carter and his agent, Rick Curran, said they were told last week by Flyers GM Paul Holmgren that rumors of a trade involving Carter were not accurate. The trade devastated him, according to people close to Carter.

“It was all about how things were handled in Philadelphia,” he said.

We can go ahead and circle November 5 on our calendars as that’s when the Blue Jackets play the Flyers for their one and only meeting of the season in Philadelphia. We don’t think Philadelphia players will have any ill will towards Columbus in that game, but Carter will be more than motivated to try and put one over on his old team. With how Carter’s been portrayed through this whole ordeal, he’s got a lot to prove to everyone about what sort of player he is.