Kings Sign Justin Williams to Four-Year Contract

The Los Angeles Kings announced today that they have signed right wing Justin Williams to a four-year contract worth $14.6 million. The deal averages out to $3.65 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 62 games this season, he has 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points and 53 penalty minutes. Not a bad move for the Kings, as Williams brings lots of offensive depth to the wing. He also has some speed and some defensive skills. His only downside is that he is a bit prone to injury, but when healthy, Williams can be a good scorer and offensive contributor for the Kings. If he can stay healthy over the next four years, he will be a solid contributor for Los Angeles.

Kings, Hurricanes, and Oilers Make Three-Way Swap

In one of the last and most complex moves on deadline day, the Los Angeles Kings traded center Patrick O'Sullivan and Calgary's second round pick in the 2009 draft (previously acquired) to the Carolina Hurricanes for eight wing Justin Williams. The Hurricanes then traded O'Sullivan to the Edmonton Oilers along with a second round pick in the 2009 draft for left wing Erik Cole and a fifth round pick in the 2009 draft. It was rumored for the past few weeks that Erik Cole could be moved by deadline day, with the Boston Bruins rumored interested in his services. In 62 games this season, O'Sullivan has 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points. Williams, who is currently sidelined with a broken hand, has three goals and seven assists for 10 points in 32 games this season. In 63 games this season, Cole has 16 goals and 11 assists for 27 points. Williams is a good pickup for the Kings, as he will bring lots of offensive skill to their wing. O' Sullivan gives a Oilers a scoring center to play on Ales Hemsky's line, while Cole brings toughness and offensive skill to the Hurricanes. With this being Cole's second stint in Carolina, he should have no trouble fitting in with the team.

Walker Out Six Weeks After Hand Surgery

The Carolina Hurricanes learned on Monday that they will be without forward Scott Walker for six weeks after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left hand. The Hurricanes are already without forward Justin Williams for at least three months after tearing the Achilles tendon in his right foot. The Hurricanes will lose some toughness and veteran depth with the injury to Walker and some scoring with Williams out. It's possible the Hurricanes could look to the trade market to replace those players or even some of the remaining veteran forward free agents. If the team is looking for replacements for Walker and Williams, it might be better for them to look to the waiver wire over the coming days for help as teams trim down their rosters for the start of the regular season, as it would not cost the Hurricanes a roster player. They could also look to their minor league prospects to replace the injured players.