After 12 games with the Lightning, they traded him along with a 2009 third round draft pick to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Steve Eminger, Steve Downie and a 2009 fourth round pick on November 7, 2008. Carle missed 5 games at the start of December because of a rib injury. During the home opener of the 2009–10 season for the Flyers, Carle tied the NHL record for assists in a single period by a defenceman when he set up four goals in the second period against the Washington Capitals and also helped Mike Richards achieve his second career hat trick, which was also his personal best for assists in a game.