Posted: Friday, February 5, 2010, 12:40 AM | 9 comments |
 

Carle Left Off Team USA
options
 

Matt Carle can continue on with his Olympic break vacation plans, after all.

Just a few hours after Toronto defenseman Mike Komisarek announced yesterday that he would be unable to join the United States’ men’s hockey team in Vancouver for the Olympics – the second player to do so this week because of injury – U.S. general manager Brian Burke named his replacement players.

Carolina’s Tim Gleason and Anaheim’s Ryan Whitney were picked to replace defensemen Paul Martin and Komisarek, who were originally named to the team on Jan. 1.

That officially took the Carle out of the mix for one of the replacement jobs. Carle had a slimmer chance than most names mentioned to make the team because he did not partake in the U.S. Olympic Orientation camp in Illinois in August.

His hot play early in the season – when he led the NHL in plus/minus – put him on the list of possible candidates, as acknowledged by Burke.

Carle has chipped in 24 points from the Flyers’ blue line that is responsible for 119 points already this season. Flyers defensemen netted a combined 141 points over 82 games last year. The Anchorage, Alaska native is second on the team (behind partner Chris Pronger) with a plus-14 rating.

Follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DNFlyers for the latest updates.
Posted by Frank Seravalli @ 12:40 AM  Permalink | 9 comments
9
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:41 AM, 02/05/2010
    The USA names replacement players who are a (-7) & a (-2) over a player who is great at blocking shots with a (+14). That makes as much sense as some of the moves that the Toronto Maple Leafs have made. Oh wait, those moves were made by the same person. Nice job Burke. Be a miracle if we see the medal round.
    — Flyers37
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:13 AM, 02/05/2010
    Flyers37, how do the moves the Leafs just made not make sense? They got a potential franchise defenseman in Phaneuf, a goalie that has definite #1 talent when he's on in Giguere, and a pretty good defensive prospect. And the guys they gave up weren't anything that can't be easily replaced. What doesn't make sense?
    — duffers
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:20 AM, 02/05/2010
    I feel sorry for Carle but not for the Flyers. The less guys we have getting drained by the Olympics and having more time to heal up, the better for the team.
    — d.w.d.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:35 AM, 02/05/2010
    Pardon me for saying this, but who really cares? If I was the Team USA GM I would have done the same thing. What is so special about Matt Carle? Would you take either one of those players for him in a trade? I certainly would. Matt Carle...gimme a break.
    — FlyFifty8
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:25 AM, 02/05/2010
    Carle is having a better year than both of those guys..but as mentioned by d.w.d. I would rather have our guys at home resting. I wish pronger would stay home.!
    — JohnnyThunderCak
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:22 PM, 02/05/2010
    That's obviously your opinion. Checking stats doesn't give a complete picture of a player. My opinion, and I would bet most GM's would agree is that BOTH of those players are superior to Carle. I know one thing for sure, Brian Burke agrees with me. OK, better stated I agree with him. Matt Carle had a great rookie season, and great month this season. Other than that....mediocre.
    — FlyFifty8
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:01 PM, 02/05/2010
    And you've stated yours which I disagree with. I think Carle holds his own against either of them and currently is playing much better. Heck, Erik Johnson's currently a Healthy Scratch for the Blues and is still on Team USA. I think Burke's off on this one.
    — flyler
  • Comment removed.


9 comments
About Frank Seravalli
Frank Seravalli is in his fourth year with the Daily News and third season covering the Flyers. He started at the Daily News as an intern writing about the boozing legends of the Lincoln Financial Field lots and hasn't left. Since joining the Flyers beat, he has covered everything from the Winter Classic to the Stanley Cup Final and everything in between. Prior to joining the Daily News, the Bucks County native did a large amount of freelance work for local media outlets, covering high schools, colleges and all four of Philly's major sports teams. He resides in Center City. E-mail Frank at seravaf@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter @DNFlyers.

Join on Facebook    Follow on Twitter

Advertise Here
XML
 
RT @darenmillard: Sportsnet can confirm Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke meet with Columbus GM Scott Howson this morning at a NYC hotel. Full ... - 12:21pm
 
“@TBLightning: The Lightning have acquired a 2nd Rd pick in '12 or '13, a 4th Rd pick in '13 and LW Kalinski from PHL for Kubina." - 02/18/2012
 
Kalinski is not on the Phantoms' bus, was a late scratch from tonight's game, and left with his equipment. Waiting for confirmation. - 02/18/2012
Latest Flyers Videos