Together again, naturally.
Jeff Carter got his wish on Thursday nightto be reunited with his long, lost NHL brother Mike Richards in Los Angeles.
Or as CSNs Lisa Hillary tweeted, the Bromance lives.
General manager Dean Lombardi is trying to rescue his clubs season and get the Kings into the playoffs. He is also trying to keep his job. He needed to make a daring move coming up to Mondays NHL trade deadline.
Carter, the most unhappy Columbus centerman, was traded to the Kings for rugged defenseman Jack Johnson and a first-round pick. The deal hinges on Carter and Johnson each passing a physical. Concern here is probably more for Carter, than Johnson. Lombardi gave up too much. This is gonna bite him long-term.
From Old City, Philadelphia to Columbus to Manhattan Beach. Thats Carters trek back to Richards.
Personally, I feel Rick Nash would have been a better, long term fit for the Kings.
NHL
Carter is going to score goals. And miss significant games. And get a lot of freak fracture injuries. And come up short in the playoffs. Thats his M.O.
Which is why I feel Nash would have been the better choice.
This is the first year of an 11-year, 58 million deal for Carter. Johnson in the first of a 7-year, 30.5 million contract.
Some long-term deals magnetize you to a team. Some make it easier to be traded. Carter is in a much better situation than Johnson.
And by the way, the perception out west among fans that Carter and Richards played a lot together simply is not true.
They were on the same line just eight games last season and two the year the Flyers went to the Cup Final against Chicago.
But if Carter can regain the 40-goal magic he had three years ago, who knows.
I still think Nash would have been the better choice in LA.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net