Trade Details:
The Los Angeles Kings acquire Jeff Carter from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Jack Johnson and a conditional first-round draft pick in either 2012 or 2013. |
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Los Angeles Kings Acquire:
 C. Jeff Carter Age: 27 Height: 6-4 Weight: 199 CONTRACT: Cap-Hit: $5,272,727 Expires: 2022 (UFA) Important Facts: -First year of his eleven year contract -Career plus/minus of plus-40 -His final game with the Blue Jackets (Feb 21st) was his 500th NHL game -This is the 2nd time he's been traded in the past year |
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Columbus Blue Jackets Acquire:
 D. Jack Johnson Age: 25 Height: 6-1 Weight: 231 CONTRACT: Cap-Hit: $4,357,143 Expires: 2018 (UFA) Important Facts: -First year of his seven year contract -Gets $1,000,000 this season as a signing bonus -Has an annual salary of $3,500,000 until 2014-15 when it will increase to $5,000,000 per season for the remainder of his contract -Originally drafted by Carolina, but refused to sign with them -Career plus/minus of minus-90 -Coming off a career year in points with 42 -Has 12 points in 12 NHL playoff games |
First Round Draft Pick (2012 or 2013) **Conditional** Important Facts: -If the Kings fail to make the playoffs this season, they will automatically send their first-round pick in 2013 to the Blue Jackets. If Los Angeles qualifies for this spring's post-season, Columbus will have the choice of taking this year's pick or next year's. |
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Analysis:
Early yesterday afternoon whispers of a possible trade involving Jeff Carter began to spread throughout the hockey world. Within only a few short hours the rumors were confirmed as it was announced that Carter had been traded by the Blue Jackets to the Los Angeles Kings. In-exchange the Kings sent defenseman Jack Johnson and a first-round draft pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
When the Columbus Blue Jackets decided to trade Jakub Voracek, a first-round pick, and a third-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers to acquire Jeff Carter, I doubt they would have ever thought that they would have been trading Carter less than a year later. At the time of the trade it was known publicly that Carter wasn't too happy about joining the Jackets, but Columbus management felt that once he enjoyed the winning environment that they envisioned this season to contain he'd be happy. Unfortunately they've experienced very little winning and Carter's mindset got even worse. It came to a point where they had no choice but to move him as you could tell by his play that he wasn't giving his all and was just going through the motions.
In hoping to salvage something of value from the whole fiasco the Jackets traded Carter to the Kings for a package of Jack Johnson and a first-round draft choice. I personally found it very interesting that Columbus chose to acquire Johnson in this trade considering that he has some very similar qualities to Carter. He has just signed a long-term contract (just as Carter did with the Flyers) and he has a history of refusing to play for a team (refused to sign with the Hurricanes who drafted him). Hopefully he doesn't pull a Carter for the Jackets because he is, right now, the only tangible piece left from a package that included some very valuable young pieces. Johnson is just entering his prime at twenty-five years old and is coming off of a career year in points. His offensive talent is through the roof and he's been a very competent power play quarter-back. His defensive play could be improved and his career plus/minus of minus-90 definitely raises some concerns. Many NHL scouts do believe that Johnson has been held back a bit with the Kings because of the impressive defense depth that the Kings currently possess. With the Jackets, Johnson should get top-pairing minutes and we should get to see exactly what he's made of at both ends of the ice. Although I do like Johnson I believe he's a bit of a wild card considering that we haven't seen how he reacts to top-pairing minutes. Once we see how he plays in an important role getting top ice-time every night, it will be easier to judge his long-term potential. Along with Johnson the Blue Jackets acquired a first-round draft pick. Its been labeled a 'conditional pick', but no matter what they will be getting a first rounder, its just a matter of when. If the Kings fail to make the playoffs this season, they will automatically send their first-round pick in 2013 to the Blue Jackets. If Los Angeles qualifies for this spring's post-season, Columbus will have the choice of taking this year's pick or next year's. I find this condition a bit interesting as its basically saying that it has to be a late first-round pick. I really don't know what to think of this deal for Columbus right now, but I will say this, considering the huge price they paid to acquire him this package is a bit underwhelming.
The Los Angeles Kings have been in the midst of many rumors throughout the past month, so it was no surprise to see them make a move of this magnitude. The Kings have had some serious offensive problems and are currently last in the league in goals scored per game. They literally had no choice, but to add a proven scoring forward and they were able to land one in Jeff Carter. Carter's NHL resume is impressive with three seasons of at least 30 goals and 60 points, and one of those three saw him put up 46 goals and 38 assists for 84 points. His mixture of size and skill is extraordinary and when he's on his game, he's a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately during this season he hasn't been on his game at all. Last season he and his teammate and best friend Mike Richards were split up and traded away from the Flyers. Richards joined the Kings, but Carter wasn't as lucky as he ended up with Columbus. His displeasure with the trade was well-known and he rarely looked like himself during his time with the Blue Jackets. He was desperate for a trade out of Columbus and luckily for him he ended up in LA, back with his old friend Mike Richards. I hope for the Kings sake that Carter & Richards don't re-ignite the old behavior that got them in trouble in Philadelphia. In a city like Los Angeles its a big task for Kings management to overlook. If that wasn't enough to scare Kings fans, the ten remaining years on Carter's contract will and if he doesn't work out well with their club its not going to be pretty. With all that being said, if this does work out and Carter sparks the Kings offense this will be an incredible deal for them.
This trade will result in a few more moves from both teams and other teams around the league. Its getting hot on the NHL trade market and this is definitely a significant move. Compared to what the Jackets payed for Carter the return is a bit less than what some would expect and the whole ordeal definitely has hurt the Jackets organization as a whole.
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