The TSN & Sportsnet panels break down the Carter – Johnson trade

Both TSN and Sportsnet hockey panels give their opinions on the deal.

http://watch.tsn.ca/featured/clip625324#clip625324

 

http://www.sportsnet.ca/video/latest/Kings-settle-for-Carter

Shacks' Take:  The most interesting two things I heard here is the difference in opinion on Jack Johnson by Crawford on TSN and McSorley on Sportsnet.  Crawford coached Johnson for two years and he thinks Johnson is chomping at the bit to be the number one defenseman somewhere and he could thrive in Columbus as their go to guy.  If this is true Columbus will win this deal because number one defensemen are the hardest and most important commodity to acquire in the NHL. 

McSorley on the other hand is a Kings colour guy and has watched almost every game for two years.  He thinks Johnson is one of the best number three defenseman in the league but cannot be trusted to be a top-pairing guy.  If that's the case LA at least broke even on the deal. 

Carter's contract length and cost, 11 years @ $5.2 mil/year, makes this a huge gamble for the Kings, while Johnson's contract for 7 years @ $4.2/year is not unreasonable for a defender of Johnson's age and talent.  Couple that with the repairing of the 'toxic twins' in Carter and Richards whose antics together got them run out of Philadelphia when they looked like the cornerstone pieces of the franchise and it appears the risk is much higher for the Kings than the Jackets. 

This deal reeks of desperation for Los Angeles and one wonders if this will help save Lombardi his job or end his career.