The Pittsburgh Penguins (38-32-12) fell to the New York Islanders (39-27-16), 5-4 on Wednesday night which officially knocked them out of playoff contention. While the Philadelphia Flyers (38-33-11) had already been eliminated from the playoffs, the loss could offer Flyers’ fans some solace in seeing a familiar foe suffer the same fate.
However, one player on the ice for the Penguins means more to the Flyers’ faithful than others. Jeff Carter, who last played for the Flyers in 2011, actually retired following Pittsburgh’s win. While he spent most of his career away from Philadelphia, he was a franchise player during some of the most exciting seasons in the organization’s history.
Carter gave some insight to the media after his final game:
“I’m going to be a dad. You miss a lot being a hockey player. You’re in and out and away. And even when you’re home, you’re not really there. My family — all hockey families — they sacrifice a lot for us to live out our dreams.”
Jeff Carter 4/17/2024
Jeff Carter’s Flyers’ career
Jeff Carter was drafted by the Flyers in the first round of the 2003 NHL draft. He played his first season with the organization in 2005-2006. During his six-year tenure in black and orange, the Flyers experienced some profound success. As a member of the Flyers, Carter made the postseason in each season with the exception of 2006-2007. He was a key member of the 2009-2010 team that lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals.
As a Flyer, Carter made an All-Star appearance in 2009. He was a top goal scorer during his time in Philadelphia as well. He scored over 30 goals in three straight seasons from 2008-2011. All in all, Carter recorded 309 points for the Flyers in 461 games.
Carter’s post-Flyers’ career
The Flyers’ alternate captain was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in June of 2011 for a first and a third-round pick in the 2011 draft — those two picks would end up turning into Sean Couturier, Nick Cousins — and Jakub Voracek. After spending just a half-season in Columbus, the former Flyer was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.
Carter made another All-Star appearance in 2017 for LA. He spent the majority of his career on the West Coast and won two Stanley Cups with the Kings. Through 580 games in Los Angeles, the former Flyer recorded another 383 points.
After a successful nine and a half seasons with the Kings, Carter was traded for the last time to Pittsburgh in 2021. As age was catching up to him, Carter was primarily a third or fourth-line center for the Flyers’ cross-state rivals.
It was fitting that he was able to net one more puck prior to his retirement as he scored the Penguins’ fourth goal of the game to tie the score against the Islanders.
While Carter spent more time wearing other team’s sweaters, his time in Philadelphia will be memorable. He along with players such as Mike Richards, Daniel Brière, and Simon Gagné gave Flyers fans some of the most entertaining hockey they had seen since the Eric Lindros days. Not many players from those late 2000-early 2010 are still in the game and Carter’s retirement is a reminder of what successful Flyers’ hockey looked like.
The 2023-2024 Flyers gave Philadelphia a glimpse into that success for much of the season. Perhaps another run like the one Carter was a part of is not too far off in the future.
AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File
