Kings Finally Find Help Up Front?

Have the Kings finally found the answer to the scoring woes, in Jeff Carter. Only time will tell. Carter is now re-united with ex-Philly teammate Mike Richards, after only being apart for not even a full season.

The Trade:

The Los Angeles Kings have acquired: C/RW Jeff Carter

The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired: D Jack Johnson and a 1st round pick**

** If the Kings miss the playoffs this year it becomes a 2013 1st, if the Kings make the playoffs, the Blue Jackets can pick between LA's 2012 1st round pick or the 2013 first round pick. 

This is a great deal for both teams as it addresses problems that both teams have. 

The Los Angeles Kings are really struggling with scoring goals this year, and Jeff Carter a 46 goal scorer in 2008-09 could be the right man for the job. Jeff Carter has only 15 goals in 39 games in Columbus but with injury problems and with him and Rick Nash have not working well together his goal total is down lower than it should be at this point of the season. With Jeff Carter and Mike Richards, who were teammates in Philly from 2005-06 until 2010-11 are now re-united but in a different city. The Los Angeles Kings traded Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn and a 2nd round pick to the Flyers in-exchange for Mike Richards. So, essentially the Kings have acquired Carter and Richards for Simmonds, Schenn, Johnson, 1st round pick and a 2nd round pick. The Kings have moved a lot of potential for what they hope is immediate help. Carter is another big name in LA, which should bring goal scoring which is desperately needed. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets have finally acquired, a franchise first, a true offensive defenseman in Jack Johnson. Jack Johnson has always been in Drew Doughty shadow, and has not been getting the recognition he deserves. JJ tallied up 42 points last year which was a career high but that again behind Drew Doughty. In Columbus JJ will be to go guy on the power-play and on 5 on 5 so he will be seeing lots of playing time and getting lots of chances to be a big impact offensively. Columbus now have a good d-core in Wisniewski, Tyutin, Nikitin, Methot and Glitsome, and with highly touted prospect John Moore in their system. The future on the back end is looking bright for the Blue Jackets. Adding another pick never hurts, especially a 1st round pick, if its either in 2012 or 2013 it is a very good pick to have. A first round pick can allow the Blue Jackets to draft a great prospect or they can use it as a very valuable trade asset down the road. 

Los Angeles trade rating: B+, they acquire a former 46 goal scorer, they need to score so this should help

Columbus trade rating: A-, get a great young defenseman and 1st round pick, and trade a big contract in Carter who wasn't working out in CBJ