The Goal Whisperer
Jeff Carter is quietly making a name for himself around the league; in fact, he’s so quiet that some teams don’t even know it until they play him. His speed and gritty game allows him to stand his guard in front of the net to bang in the garbage goals, and his wrist shot is so powerful that he could zip it past you from the blue line as hard some guys can slap it in this league.
His point production has increased from last year’s 53 point effort, and he’s currently on pace for a 50 goal season; and although he has always faired decently in the faceoff circle, his face off wins percentage has progressively increased over his last 5 games. Case in point, not only is he finding the back of the net and banging bodies, he’s also coming into a hot streak. He has 4 points in his last 3 games and leads his team in game winning goals (3).
The 11th overall selection in the 2003 entry draft signed on for a 3 year $15 Million dollar deal this offseason, and some were a little confused over the dollar figures even after a 29 goal campaign last season. This year, the critics are hushed. Jeff Carter is coming into a career year in a contract where many have fallen short of expectations – see Dustin Penner.
Last season, a world renowned rumor had Jeff Carter finding his way to Toronto with Philadelphia’s first round pick in the 2008 entry draft in exchange for Tomas Kaberle. Today, the trade would not include the first round pick from Philadelphia, and if Carter continues to impress and pursue his 50 goal campaign, the Leafs could be the ones shipping off the first rounder in the deal.
As far as the Flyers are concerned, once he signed the 3 year extension and came into the season with guns blazing, his availability ceased to exist. Jeff Carter adds to the lineup what few players in the league can offer – an all out hard aggressive sniper with a bullet for a shot.
What is a bit frightening for the rest of the league is that he is just now coming into his game. Jeff Carter is a force that should not be reckoned with.
Micheal A. Aldred
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Poile4GM
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Jacob
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Daddoo
