Matt Carle - Used with permission © Bob Fina/InsideHockey.com

There really wasn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind that Matt Carle would be a Flyer next season and beyond. Both parties expressed that they were more than interested in getting a deal done before or by July 1.

Free agency is just days away and now there are rumors suggesting otherwise.

Pierre LeBrun of TSN reported that Carle may “dip his toes in UFA waters” after all. It isn’t a coincidence that this change of heart comes just hours after Dennis Wideman signed with the Calgary Flames for five years, $26.25 million.

The Flyers believed that Carle would take some sort of a discount if he re-signed with the team but Wideman’s contract has to have Carle licking his chops.

This doesn’t mean that Carle won’t be back next year but it certainly drives up the asking price and there are sure to be teams that will throw money at him.

The Flyers really need to have him back on the blueline but at what cost? It would be a tough blow for the team but can you really blame Carle for wanting to cash in?