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It has been quite a while since we’ve heard from our old friend Jeff Carter, who lies injured in the pool of nothingness known as Columbus. Sure his name has, predictably, come up in trade rumors – which, predictably, have him going to Toronto – but he’s been laying low for the most part.

It seems we now have a reason, other than his shoulder injury, for why he hasn't been traded.

via Elliotte Friedman of CBC:

Had a good email conversation last week with one of Jeff Carter's defenders. He pointed out that Carter is still very hurt by how he feels the Flyers misled him, and this is still a 40-goal talent. Totally fair; being traded can be devastating for a young player. But, there comes a point where you have to say, "All right. It happened and now I've got to move on." Carter's rep is taking a huge hit. At least one team has backed off because of what they're hearing. If he wants to leave Columbus, he's got to give other teams an incentive to take that 10-year commitment.

The Blue Jackets have to be careful, too. They know they probably won't get much, but, in exchange for Carter's long-term contract, opponents will try to get them to take one back. That's usually a bad idea. 

 

OK, Jeff– get over it. It’s over. Done. Your Old City meat wagon is no longer, like, a thing. There are chicks in Columbus too. And Sea Isle will be there in April. And May. And June. And July. And August. But, I know there’s really nothing I can say that would be better than the advice Trent gave to Mikey in Swingers:

That's just plain silly. Your self- esteem is just low because you’re in Columbus. But thinking about it and talking about it all the time is bad. It's no good, man. You gotta get out there. The Leafs want to love you, baby.

You need time? Why? So you can beat yourself up? Sitting around in that stuffy apartment. It's just plain bad for you, man. It's depressing. You've come so far. Remember the first week? After Holmgren told you? You couldn't even eat. You just sat around drinking Smirnoff Ice. Now look at you. Look how far you've come in just a few months.

 

Well, maybe not that far. Sorry, Jeff.

[Related: Jeff Carter charters a plane to visit Richie in Canada]

H/T to Ryan Bright of PhilaBright.com, and (@the_Larkinater) for writing my title