Lefebvre jokes that the Vancouver Canucks might be to blame for all this career movement (apparently Carter is one of several NHL players who rested their skates in Vancouver briefly, and also had heavily-traded career paths). But on a more serious note, he also wonders what the significance is of Carter’s steady North American journey:

Carter might be reluctant to recognize that he is becoming one of the most traded and traveled players in the game. It could be that [he] is much sought after. It could also be that he wears out welcomes quickly and becomes unwanted soon after.

Check out Eyes on the Prize for a good run down of Carter’s travails and other most-traded players in the NHL.

Regarding the issue of the Vancouver Canucks and Carter’s career, Teebz of Hockey Blog in Canada, had something to say in the comments of a Canucks & Beyond post the other day. He questions why the Canucks didn’t bring Carter back to Vancouver for another go-round:

Carter signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract. At 20% of that, Nonis would have had to shell out a paltry $500,000 to have Carter back.

When’s the last time that you can get a guy like Carter for a 5th-round pick, and $500,000? Never.

I’m disappointed that the Twins won’t get Carter back. It would have given Vancouver two legitimate scoring lines again, and they would have given up nothing for a rental that essentially would have cost them $500,000.

In response to my objections (“Wait! Sedins look just fine to me!”) Teebz then added this:

I’m not so concerned about the Twins this season. I agree they are playing well. But if you add Carter, a guy who clearly has good chemistry with them, you get a potent second-line. Heck, it might be better than the Naslund line.

While I realize that defensemen are a priority for the Canucks, defense isn’t their problem. They are 3rd in terms of goals-against. Defensive depth won’t come cheap. Brad Stuart came at the price of two roster players for the Flames, and Nonis is on the record as saying that he doesn’t want to remove any roster players or Luc Bourdon.

My concern is that the Canucks have the lowest goals-for of any playoff team right now. I realize that 3-2 and 2-1 games are great, but if Luongo gets hurt, Sabourin can’t carry the load. Players will be gunning for Luongo in the playoffs, and every hit, bump, slash, or check he takes could be an injury waiting to happen.

While I don’t really agree that $500,000 is that affordable for the Canucks at this point, I do agree that the Canucks could use a bit more front end depth. Regardless, I’m sure plenty of other fans will agree with Teebz on his points, so I thought I’d pass it on.