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Kings acquire Jeff Carter for Jack Johnson, first-rounder

Philadelphia Flyers v Buffalo Sabres - Game Three

of the Buffalo Sabres the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HSBC Arena at HSBC Arena on April 18, 2011 in Buffalo, New York.

Rick Stewart

As anticipated, the Los Angeles Kings are one step closer to becoming the Philadelphia Flyers (with a tan) as they did indeed acquire Jeff Carter. Aaron Portzline reports that the Columbus Blue Jackets landed offensive defenseman Jack Johnson and a first-round pick in the exchange.

(Click here for reactions from all sides.)

Contract impact

Carter carries a $5.27 million cap hit through the 2021-22 season while Johnson’s $4.36 million cap hit goes until 2017-18.

The Kings’ roster is increasingly heavy with long-term deals as GM Dean Lombardi’s hopeful transition from cellar-dweller to contender continues. Here’s a quick look at the lengthier deals in Los Angeles:

Drew Doughty ($7 million): 2018-19
Anze Kopitar ($6.8M): 2015-16
Mike Richards: ($5.75M): 2019-20
Carter: ($5.27M): 2021-22

Dustin Brown, Matt Greene and Justin Williams also have contracts that will keep them around for a few more years. Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier’s cheap contracts run out after 2012-13, so Lombardi still has some big decisions to make.

Meanwhile, after trading away Antoine Vermette and Carter along with the strong possibility for Rick Nash’s departure, the Blue Jackets are opening the door for another rebuild. (Although their defense is strangely heavy on lengthy, expensive deals.)

Columbus Blue Jackets v Los Angeles Kings

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 07: Jack Johnson #3 and Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings react to a 1-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Staples Center on January 7, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Harry How

On-ice impact

As you probably know, the Kings need offense. Carter provides goal-scoring zip and perhaps some depth down the middle, although he might make more sense on the wing. Los Angeles is heavy on defensive talent - one can imagine that Johnson’s absence will be a boon for Slava Voynov and/or Alec Martinez - so losing the attacking blueliner shouldn’t be too difficult.

(They’ll miss him on the power play, although Carter could make them better in that area anyway.)

Columbus washes its hands of one of two shaky big off-season moves by moving Carter. James Wisniewski likely gets more of an “incomplete” grade instead of an “F” this season because of injuries and suspension issues, but Johnson brings a lot of the same qualities to the ice.

That’s part of the interesting thing in this equation: both players bring serious offensive skills but glaring defensive warts to the table. Forgive me for possibly stating the obvious here, but I’d say it’s easier to accept gambling tendencies from a forward instead of a blueliner ...

Off-ice matters

The natural question of the negative aspects of the Richards-Carter friendship will come up. If you ask me, the “Dry Island” stuff is more of a funny punchline than a real concern, but others might wring their hands about it quite a bit more.

One cannot wonder if Johnson feels a lot like Carter did about going to Columbus. After all, he probably wasn’t wildly popular in Ohio during his NCAA days in Michigan ...
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Overall, this is a solid deal for both sides. The Kings add offense without wrecking their salary cap situation, although they’re now more or less married to what they have. The Blue Jackets made the most of a declining situation with Carter by getting a talented blueliner and a first-round pick for their troubles.

It’s a conditional first-rounder. If the Kings miss the playoffs, Columbus will receive Los Angeles’ 2013 pick. If they make it, the Blue Jackets can choose between the Kings’ 2012 or 2013 choice.

Anyway, there’s my breakdown of the trade. Feel free to quibble with some points - I’m guessing most of you aren’t as fond of Carter - and share your thoughts on which team won the deal in general.

Or, considering the sour views on the players involved, perhaps which team lost the least ...