Has anyone brought up the point that both Carter and Richards were taken by the Flyers slightly higher than then they were expected to be in 2003, and that they might be psyched to play for us? IIRC, Carter was pegged as mid-to-late first round (went 11th overall), and Richards was supposed to be a second rounder (went 24th overall). Why would they sue to become free agents, when the upshot would be one or two hundred thousand more dollars a year for their rookie contracts AT THE MOST, especially when the teams who would be able to afford to overpay will be ones that are not in contention now? Besides, the Flyers have already proven that they will pay top dollar for young talent, considering they signed R.J. Umberger to a 2-year rookie max contract last year. Why not stay with the team that believed in you enough to draft you higher than most experts thought you were supposed to go, that has currently you playing big minutes in their AHL affiliate's playoffs, and that will still be Cup contenders when NHL play resumes? I know this sounds like know-nothing Flyers homerism, but I don't think Carter or Richards would sign with another team when play begins even if they did become free agents when the CBA is settled. I would think they'd stay with us if our deal offer was in the same neighborhood as another team's. Clarke has also verbally guaranteed that both Carter and Richards will be on the Flyers next year, and that should be worth quite a bit to guys who could have been in the NHL this year, they are so talented.