CBJ deal Carter to Kings The Los Angeles Kings have acquired center Jeff Carter from the Columbus Blue Jackets in-exchange for defenseman Jack Johnson and a first round pick, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus-Dispatch reports.
Both players must pass physicals. The first round pick is conditional and the Blue Jackets receive a 2012 first round pick if the Kings make the playoffs, or a 2013 first round pick if the Kings miss the playoffs.
Carter, 27, has 15 goals and 25 points in 39 games this season. He is signed through the 2021-2022 season with a cap hit of $5,272,727 million. Johnson, 25, has six years left on a seven year, $30.5 million deal that carries a $4,357,143 million cap hit.
Kings Analysis
Jeff Carter wanted out of Columbus and he got his wish being dealt to the Kings where he re-unites with close friend Mike Richards.
It is the second time in less than a year that Carter has been traded.
The addition of Carter addresses a primary long-term concern for the Kings; Goal Scoring.
The Kings rank dead last in goal scoring, averaging 2.05 goals per game.
Carter just 27 years old, is a pure sniper with 45+ goal ability, scoring 46 goals in 2008-2009. His numbers though have fallen as he scored 36 goals in 2009-2010, followed by 33 goals in 2010-2011.
Down the middle, Los Angeles is extremely deep with Mike Richards, Anze Kopitar, Jarrett Stoll and now Carter.
The intrigue about Carter is that he’s versatile and can play the wing.
What I like about this deal for Los Angeles is the Kings are adding a regular 30 goal scorer in his prime, and didn’t have to give up a 4-for-1 trade like they would have had to for Rick Nash who would not have made them immediate Cup contenders.
Blue Jackets Analysis
GM Scott Howson is 1-for-1 so far. Word leaked last weekend that Howson’s top choice was to move Jeff Carter to Los Angeles and Rick Nash to the New York Rangers. He may soon be 2-for-2.
Dealing the disgruntled Carter was a must for Howson and he got an excellent return considering Carter’s poor attidude and 10 years left on his contract.
Just 25 years old, Columbus acquires a young impact defenseman in Jack Johnson who has his flaws defensively but has yet to peak.
Moving forward Columbus has some building blocks on the backend in Johnson, James Wisniewski, and Fedor Tyutin.
Next up on the docket is Rick Nash as the Rangers, Sharks and Flyers remain in the mix.
