Big Bruins/Flyers Trade Rejected

Center Jeff Carter should be on the end of a hook, dangling in the water as some middle-aged guy drinks a Miller Lite in the boat above. He's the Philadelphia Flyers' biggest bait at the trade deadline: a young (born in 1985 ... I feel like I should have an AARP card) talented offensive player at a position where the team has a ton of depth. He's also due a decent raise as a pending RFA.

The Flyers already tried to flip him for Tomas Kaberle, until the Toronto defenseman and his agent explained to interim GM Cliff Fletcher exactly what a "no-trade clause" means. Now, it appears there was an offer of Carter for Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel (born in 1987 ... should I be collecting social security already?). Kessel's signed through 2009, and the Bruins would also be dealing from a position of depth. Plus, the Bruins haven't exactly been high on him this season.

Like I said, an offer was made -- it's just unclear who made it and who decided not to make the deal. The Courier-Post reports that Flyers GM Paul Holmgren offered Carter for Kessel and was denied by Boston. The Toronto Sun said it was Boston that offered Kessel even up for Carter, and was rejected by Philadelphia. Sun Media writer Terry Koshan adds this evaluation of Carter: "He is a little too carefree on the ice for the team's liking." It's probably a good thing he's not going to Boston -- Coach Claude Julien's stifling system evokes a lot of words, but "carefree" isn't one of them.