Kings Acquire Jeff Carter from Blue Jackets for Jack Johnson

The Los Angeles Kings pulled off a blockbuster trade on Thursday night by acquiring center Jeff Carter from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Jack Johnson and their first round pick in either 2012 or 2013. If Los Angeles misses the playoffs this year, then Columbus will get their first round pick in 2013. If the Kings make the playoffs this season, then the Blue Jackets can choose either the 2012 or 2013 pick. Carter is under contract through the 2021-22 season and comes with an annual salary cap hit of $5.272 million, while Johnson's contract averages $4.357 million per season and expires after the 2017-18 season. In 39 games this season with the Blue Jackets, Carter has 15 goals and 10 assists for 25 points. He missed 20 games this season with a fractured foot and separated shoulder. In 61 games with the Kings, Johnson has eight goals and 16 assists for 24 points. The Kings had been in the market for a scoring forward and they got that in Carter. He has lots of offensive and goal-scoring skill, as well as decent size and a good shot. Look for Carter to be reunited with former teammate Mike Richards, who was traded to Los Angeles by Philadelphia this past summer. The Blue Jackets have added a quality defenseman in Johnson who will bring lots of mobility, offensive upside, and toughness to their blueline. Look for the Blue Jackets to continue to move assets for their rebuild as the February 27 Trade Deadline approaches.

Flyers Trade Jeff Carter to Blue Jackets

The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Thursday that they have traded center Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets for right wing Jakub Voracek and Columbus' first and third round picks in the 2011 Entry Draft. Voracek will be eligible for restricted free agency on July 1. Carter will start the first year of his 11 year, $58 million contract next season. In 80 games last season with the Flyers, Carter had 36 goals and 30 assists for 66 points. Voracek had 14 goals and 32 assists for 46 points in 80 games last season. This is a great move for the Blue Jackets, as Carter will give the team a much needed scoring center to play alongside captain Rick Nash. He will bring plenty of offensive and goal-scoring skill to the forward lines, as well as decent size and a good shot. Voracek will give the Flyers lots of offensive skill and scoring upside on the wing. The move also helped the Flyers open up some salary cap space to re-sign recently acquired goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, whom they signed to a nine-year, $51 million contract.

Flyers Sign Jeff Carter to 11-Year Extension

The Philadelphia Flyers locked up an important piece of their future on Saturday by signing center Jeff Carter to an 11-year contract worth $58 million. The deal will average out to $5.27 million per season. In 16 games so far this season, Carter has eight goals and six assists for 14 points. In 397 career NHL games, all with Philadelphia, he has 153 goals and 138 assists for 291 points. This is a good signing for the Flyers, as Carter has become one of the team's top forwards over the past few seasons. He brings lots of offensive skill to the forward lines, as well as decent size, a good shot, and is a good skater. Look for Carter to continue to be one of the team's top forwards throughout the duration of the contract.