Kings Acquire Jeff Carter, Reuniting Him with Mike Richards
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Paul Bereswill/Getty Images(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — In an effort to boost their lackluster offense, the Los Angeles Kings have acquired center Jeff Carter from the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Jack Johnson and a first-round draft pick in either the 2012 or 2013 draft.
Carter will be reunited with former Flyers teammate and current Kings Center Mike Richards. Richards — the Flyers former captain — and Carter were both shipped out of Philadelphia in separate trades.
The two players formed a very close bond while on the Flyers, but their off-the-ice exploits together was part of reason the two wound up being traded. Now the two friends are together again, and for the long haul, as Richards is signed to a long-term contract.
“I am obviously excited,” Carter told the Kings’ website. “I am familiar with the team and a lot of guys on the team. … I looked at the Kings at the start of the year as being a club in a good position to win. I look forward to coming to LA.”
Carter has scored scored at least 20 goals in five of his six NHL seasons and scored a career high 46 goals during the 2008-2009 season. Meanwhile, Johnson is considered a top up-and-coming defenseman who bolstered a Blue Jackets defense that ranks 29th in the NHL.
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