Columbus Blue Jackets: Should They Be Worried About Jeff Carter's Silence?

On Thursday, the Columbus Blue Jackets finally acquired a top-line center in Jeff Carter.

After Jackets GM Scott Howson offered forward Jakub Voracek and the team's first-round pick for the 26-year-old, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren wasn't buying and began listening to other team's offers.

Howson didn't want to lose the opportunity of bringing in an all-star in Carter, so he threw in a third-round pick to try and seal the deal. The addition of the third-rounder was enough for Holmgren to part ways with Carter, who had just signed an 11-year extension with Philadelphia eight months earlier.

After the deal was done, excitement filled the air around Nationwide Arena. The team had finally acquired a top center to play alongside the team's star, Rick Nash.

However, one person involved in this deal didn't seem to be too excited and that was Jeff Carter.

Since the trade happened, according to the Columbus Dispatch, Carter has not spoken publicly to either reporters or Howson about his move to Columbus. Nash and former Flyer R.J. Umberger have tried reaching out to Carter.

Umberger, who was traded from Philadelphia to Columbus in 2008, admitted that it took him a few months to get over the trade and to move on with his new team.

"You eventually have to let go of that and move," Umberger said. "I was happy to be in Columbus, but it took me probably 15 games or so to get going on the ice and get comfortable with my role here."

Nash, the Columbus captain, told the Dispatch that he had exchanged some texts with Carter, but would not reveal any details about their conversation.

Carter's silence could cause a lot of doubt in the Columbus front office as well as with the fans. Carter's agent, Rick Curran, had stated that his client was in fact upset with the deal.

But not because he's going to Columbus, but because of the commitment he had made to Philadelphia.

"He's disappointed," Curran said.

Holmgren had informed both Curran and Carter earlier in the week that the rumors of a trade involving Carter were false and that Carter would stay a Flyer.

Curran asked Holmgren if Carter should be worried about the strong rumors surfacing on the web:

"He said, 'No, and if Jeff wants to meet with me and would like me to assure him of the same thing, I will,' Curran said. "He met with Jeff and assured him that he should not be concerned. Now you understand why he needs a little time to digest this."

Carter had no plans of being traded by the team when he signed his large contract extension this past season. He was committed to staying with the Flyers throughout the prime of his career and even took a possible pay cut to do so. He signed the extension for $58 million for what Curran said was "almost certainly taking less than he could have earned in free agency."

Curran goes on to say that Carter was told that he and former Flyers captain Mike Richards were the cornerstone of the franchise, but they needed his help with their salary cap. Carter was committed to being a Flyer, the only team that he has been a part of in his NHL career, and agreed to a long-term contract.

Now not even a year into his new contract, Carter was traded so that Philadelphia could solidify its issues in goal. His hopes of playing his entire career as a Flyer were pulled out from under him.

It is clear why he is disappointed and, as someone who is constantly viewed in the public eye, it could be viewed as a good thing. If you look at any professional sport, there is plenty of examples of players saying things that they would later regret.

With the emotions that Carter must be feeling towards Philadelphia, he does not want to talk about the circumstances that brought him to Columbus until he his ready to do so and the Jackets should respect his wishes.

It will be interesting to see what Carter has to say about his former team when he finally does talk to the media about the trade. It is assumed that Carter's main focus will be getting on the ice and learning about his new teammates to prepare for the upcoming season and a fresh start.

One game that will be circled on Carter's calendar will be November 5th when the Blue Jackets travel to Philadelphia to battle the new-look Flyers.

It will be the first time Carter skates in the Wells Fargo Center as part of the visiting team, and he will have no problem getting motivated.