Flyers trade Matt Ford to Columbus for future considerations

If you've been waiting for the hammer to fall in the form of a massive trade for the Flyers...well...this isn't it. But they did make a move today, sending Phantoms winger Matt Ford to the Blue Jackets for "future considerations". The move was first announced by Blue Jackets Digital Content and Community Manager Rob Mixer, who also announced that Ford will report to Columbus' minor-league club in Springfield.

Ford came to the Flyers last February in a trade of minor-leaguers with the Washington Capitals, which sent defenseman and noted dance enthusiast Kevin Marshall to the Caps. While the trade was pretty much an afterthought at the NHL level, Ford went on to provide a massive boost to the Phantoms during the AHL season's last couple of months, scoring 19 goals and 31 points in 31 games. It impressed the Flyers enough that they were willing to give Ford -- a career minor leaguer who's never played in an NHL game -- a one-year, two-way contract worth $600,000 at the NHL level (and $105,000 in the AHL).

Unfortunately, this year hasn't worked out as well for Ford, who's seen his scoring drop to 13 points in 35 games and has had injury problems as well.

The move puts the Flyers at 48 NHL contracts (after Scott Laughton, Nick Cousins and Derek Mathers all slide) out of a maximum of 50. Just enough room to make us all curious as to what may be coming next.