In what could possibly be one of the biggest offseasons in the history of the Philadelphia Flyers, general manager Chuck Fletcher announced the only player he will be adding to the roster for the 2019-20 season is former defenseman Matt Carle. The 34-year-old blue liner hasn’t played since 2016-17, but Fletcher brings up one very important point about signing Carle.
“I mean, I don’t know man,” Fletcher said when asked what exactly is happening at the press conference for the signing. “We have some good pieces here, but the team hasn’t won a playoff series since 2012. You know who hasn’t been here since the 2012 postseason? Matt Carle.” When somebody asked if this theory wasn’t already tested by bringing back James van Riemsdyk this past offseason, Fletcher said this was different before pausing for a few seconds and telling the beat writer to shut up. Flyers’ president Paul Holmgren was seen shaking his head and mouthing something about how the Flyers’ forward is ‘soft.’
“You guys remember that one goal he scored?” Fletcher questioned those at the press conference about Carle’s past. “Against the New York Rangers in the last game of the season, the game with the shootout? He had the only goal in that game. A lot of people forget that. Anyways, you’ll see. This is a good signing.”
It’s hard to argue that the one true need of this current team is a mobile blue liner who has been labeled with giving up too many turnovers and not thriving in defensive zone coverage. With the experience of 12 NHL seasons under his belt and the postseason experience of carrying his defensive partner during Philly’s run to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, Carle may just be exactly what this team needs long term.
When asked why signing Carle was the team’s only offseason move, Fletcher quickly pointed out that this wasn’t going to be the team’s only transaction. “It’s the team’s only addition. We still plan on trading Shay-I mean … it might be the only team’s move all summer. Yeah, that’s it. It’s ah … it’s only this move.”
The Orange and Black are hoping the signing motivate the team to play well tomorrow against the Dallas Stars in a non-conference, post-elimination regular season game.
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