Flyers get another defenseman; ship Downie to Tampa

The Philadelphia Flyers ccquired 6’0”, 205-pound defenseman Matt Carle and the San Jose Sharks’ third round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Steve Eminger, Steve Downie and TampaBay’s fourth round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren.

“Matt Carle is a good young defenseman and we are thrilled to add a player with his abilities to our roster,” said Holmgren in making the announcement. “He will add skill and speed to our lineup and should fit in great with our team.”

“I also would like to thank Steve Eminger and Steve Downie for their professionalism as players here and we wish them nothing but the best in the future.”

Carle, 24, recorded a goal and an assist for two points and six penalty minutes in 12 games for the Lightning this season. He is second on the team in blocked shots (27) and third on the team in average time on ice (21:57 minutes per game). He was acquired by the Lightning, along with Ty Wishart, a first round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and a fourth round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, from San Jose in exchange for Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich on July 4, 2008.

In 163 career NHL regular season games over the last four seasons (2005-06 through 2008-09), Carle has registered 17 goals and 48 assists for 65 points and 76 penalty minutes. Prior to joining the Lightning, Carle posted 63 points (16G,47A) and 70 penalty minutes in 151 games for the Sharks over three seasons (2005-06 through 2007-08). He has also appeared in 33 career NHL playoff games over the last three seasons, recording two goals and seven assists for nine points and eight penalty minutes.

A native of Anchorage, Alaska, Carle was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team after posting 42 points (11G,31A) and 30 penalty minutes in 77 games during the 2006-07 season. He was drafted by the Sharks in the second round (47^th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Prior to turning professional, Carle played three seasons for the University of Denver Pioneers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (2003-04 through 2005-06). He recorded 29 goals and 93 assists for 122 points and 159 penalty minutes in 112 games for the Pioneers. He registered 11 goals and 42 assists for 53 points and 58 penalty minutes in 39 games during the 2005-06 season. His 42 assists led all NCAA players. Following the 2005-06 season, Carle won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the top U.S. Collegiate Player, was named to the WCHA First All-Star Team, to the NCAA West First All-Star Team and WCHA Player of the Year. He was also named to the WCHA First All-Star Team and to the NCAA West First All-Star Team following the 2004-05 season.

Eminger, 25, was credited with two assists and eight penalty minutes in 12 games for the Flyers this season. He was acquired by the Flyers, along with a third round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a first round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft on June 20, 2008.

In 224 career regular season games over parts of six NHL seasons with Washington (2002-03 through 2007-08) and the Flyers (2008-09), Eminger has registered six goals and 39 assists for 45 points and 229 penalty minutes. He was originally drafted by the Capitals in the first round (12^th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Downie, 21, was scoreless with 11 penalty minutes in six games for the Flyers this season. He also recorded a goal and seven assists for eight points and 23 penalty minutes in four games for the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, this season.

In 38 career regular season games over parts of the last two NHL seasons with the Flyers (2007-08 and 2008-09), Downie registered six goals and six assists for 12 points and 84 penalty minutes. He was originally drafted by the Flyers in the first round (29^th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

The Flyers acquired the Lightning’s fourth round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, along with Nashville’s seventh round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, from TampaBay in exchange for the rights to Vaclav Prospal on June 18, 2008.