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Poll: Does Jeff Carter make the Kings a playoff team?

Jeff Carter, Vinny Prospal

Columbus Blue Jackets center Jeff Carter (7) celebrates with teammate Vinny Prospal (22), of Czech Republic, after Carter scored his second goal of the game against the Nashville Predators during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. Carter earned a hat trick in the first period. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

AP

Just about every pundit used the word “desperation” when describing the Los Angeles Kings’ side of the Jeff Carter-Jack Johnson+first-rounder blockbuster trade. Kings GM Dean Lombardi’s under a lot of pressure, no doubt, but does that necessarily make it a bad decision?

(Personally, I’d give the Kings the slight edge, although Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson deserves some kudos for making lemonade out of Carter’s lemons, but that’s just me.)

If nothing else, the addition of Carter’s scoring touch and knack for generating general fan distaste should make things awfully interesting in Los Angeles. Considering the presence of his buddy Mike Richards and another former teammate in Simon Gagne, Darryl Sutter could trot out an all-Philadelphia Flyers trio as his second/1b line. (Justin Williams could also fit the bill as a former Flyer in Gagne’s place, although that feels a bit like cheating.)

It’s an entertaining situation, but is it enough for the Kings to overcome some tough odds and hold onto a playoff spot? Tell us what you think by voting in the poll and sharing your illuminating comments.

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