The Los Angeles Kings announced tonight that they have acquired center Jeff Carter from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Jack Johnson and a conditional first round draft pick.

If the Kings make the playoff this year, the Blue Jackets will receive the pick in 2012; otherwise, it will be in 2013.

According to TSN, the deal is conditional on Carter passing a physical — which is said to be a formality, as both clubs have already announced the deal in separate press releases.

Los Angeles’ Perspective

Kings general manager Dean Lombardi — whose job may be on the line if his club doesn’t make the playoffs — has been desperately looking to acquire a goal-scoring forward to bolster his club’s offense appears to have settled on the former Philadelphia Flyer.

Jeff is a proven goal scorer in our league. He brings goal-scoring abilities, speed and at his age he is entering the prime of his career. We also like his versatility as he can play both center and wing.

Carter — who is in the first year of an 11-year, $58 million contract — says he’s excited to join former Flyers teammate Mike Richards in Los Angeles.

I am obviously excited. 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 L.A. and being a part of it all.

Carter has 15 goals and 10 assists in 39 games with the Blue Jackets this season.

Columbus’ Perspective

Meanwhile, Lombardi’s counterpart in Columbus Scott Howson said in a press release that he is thrilled with picking up Johnson — even though he gave up Jakub Voracek, a first-round draft pick and third-round draft pick to pick up Carter in the first place.

Jack is a talented young defenseman who will strengthen our defense corps and we are very excited to add him to our organization. We are committed to re-shaping our club and moving forward. Adding a player like Jack and a first round pick are important parts of that process.

The Blue Jackets find themselves in rebuild mode after a disastrous season, so their ammo with this trade was to get younger. Howson said that this is an important step in that process.

Johnson is in the first year of a seven-year, $30.5 million contract. In 61 games this season, Johnson has scored eight goals and added 16 assists for 24 points.

The 25-year-old blueliner told SportsNet that he had a feeling he would be moved and says he’s excited about the opportunities awaiting him in Columbus where he will be a key member of their blueline.

The National Hockey League’s worst scoring team may turn to their back up goalie, Jonathan Bernier, to help them out of their offensive woes.

No, the Los Angeles Kings will not ask what many view as the League’s top goalie prospects to suit up as a winger. Speculation is that the Kings will be ship out Bernier for a front-line forward.

As Elliotte Friedman of CBC, Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, Kevin Allen of USA Today, and Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star point put, the stellar play of Jonathan Quick has made expendable Bernier.

The Kings can’t afford to keep an asset like Bernier sitting on the bench, especially when you consider that the Kings are in such a desperate need of scoring help, as Kings general manager Dean Lombardi told Craig Custance of ESPN not too long ago.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie and the Toronto Sun report that the pressure is on Lombardi to get his club into the playoffs, so may be forced to make a significant deal prior to the February 27 trade deadline to for an impact forward. And time should be of the essence. The Kings are trailing the Calgary Flames in a tight race for the Western Conference’s last playoff spot, and the Flames have all the tiebreakers.

The Globe and Mail, along with various other media sources, believe that the Kings may target either winger Rick Nash or center Jeff Carter of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jack Johnson. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

A package for Nash ($7.8 million cap hit) would be the most costly, and would have to include Bernier, defenseman Jack Johnson, along with another piece — a prospect and/or first round draft pick.

Trading for Carter ($5.27 million cap hit) would be cheaper — in terms of assets, salary, and cap space — because the consensus is that it would take either Bernier or Johnson, not both, to make a deal happen.

Aside from the Blue Jackets, SportsNet hockey analyst John Shannon lists the Tampa Bay Lightning (they need a goalie bad), Buffalo Sabres (in case Ryan Miller is moved), and the Edmonton Oilers (for Ales Hemsky?) as possible suitors/destinations for Bernier. Shannon was fairly adamant that Bernier is an attractive asset only to teams looking to acquire a goalie for the future, not one is serious about being a contender.

Friedman suggests that with the emergence of young Slava Voynov on the blueline, the Kings would feel more comfortable to deal just Johnson for a forward instead of Bernier. LeBrun wrote recently that Johnson’s name has been popping up in trade rumors with more frequency recently.

The Los Angeles Kings will only consider trading defenseman Jack Johnson if a premier forward is coming back their way, reports the panel on SportsNet‘s HockeyCentral Trade Tracker segment.

The Kings are desperate for a major first-line scoring threat off the wing, and Kings general manager Dean Lombardi made it really clear to Craig Custance of ESPN that he’s well aware of it.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist when you’re last in the league in scoring.

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reports that Johnson is one of a couple of roster players — along with back up goalie Jonathan Bernier — the Kings will make available in a trade for an impact forward. LeBrun has confirmation (LeBrun) from “a few” unnamed “team executives” on that front.

Speculation is that the Kings will pursue Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash, and Johnson and Bernier would be part of the package offered to — or asked by — Columbus. Nash would be exactly the type of player the Kings need, and he has already given the Blue Jackets consent to a deal to Los Angeles, as reported by Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

If a deal for Nash doesn’t materialize, SportsNet hockey analyst Doug MacLean stated that Johnson would not be in play for Jeff Carter, another Blue Jackets forward on the block and supposed trade target of the Kings.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter.

Other teams mentioned as possible destinations by the HockeyCentral panel include the Edmonton Oilers (although it’s hard to see which forward they would be willing to part with), New Jersey Devils (who desperately need blueline help), and the Philadelphia Flyers (who have a lot of great forward assets).

The consensus in the media is that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke will not make a big splash before this year’s trade deadline.

The veteran GM told Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun during the Winter Classic announcement in Detroit that part of the problem is that the trade market is — and has been for the entire season — cold.

It’s very quiet.

Burke has always tried to avoid deadline day shopping because of his belief that prices are always too high, as he reiterated to Kevin Allen of USA Today several days ago.

Do a graphic for any year — the math doesn’t work. Fourteen to 16 teams add players. Prices are inflated, and there is one Stanley Cup parade at the end of the season. The trade deadline is a pit of quicksand.

While Burke may not go without tinkering with his roster this trade deadline, he may shy away from making bigger deals if he feels the cost is too much. As Doug MacLean noted, Burke doesn’t want to sell the farm and deplete his farm system for short-term gains.

Because the trade market is dead, Burke tells Craig Custance of ESPN he may have to wait for deadline day to make his moves.

I think people know I’m not a deadline guy, but we might have to do our stuff at the deadline because there’s [expletive]-all happening now.

So, what type of players would Burke want to add?

Aside from desperately wanting to add a top-six forward with size who can score — which, as Bob McKenzie of TSN points out, aren’t widely available — SportsNet’s Patrick Hoffman has Burke also wanting to add a two-way forward.

Philadelphi Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk.

Philadelphia Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk, a Burke trade target in mid-January, is currently still out of action with a concussion. According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Maple Leafs have interest in Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter, but Burke isn’t too keen on taking on his long-term contract. The Anaheim Ducks aren’t trading Bobby Ryan or Ryan Getzlaf. And the Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t as keen on dealing Ryan Malone, another former Burke target.

With news that Rick Nash has handed a list of teams — with the Maple Leafs being one of them — where the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowed to trade him to, it would make sense that Burke will explore the possibility of landing the big power-forward. However, there are some challenges on that front, as we already discussed.

Bob Mitchell of the Toronto Star has an in-depth analysis of a trade for Edmonton Oilers‘ Sam Gagner, and a similar breakdown of a potential deal for Carolina Hurricanes pending unrestricted free agent forward Tuomo Ruutu.

Any of these players would come at a high cost. So, which players and assets might Burke be willing to make available?

Hoffman lists current roster players Nikolai Kulemin, Clarke MacArthur, Cody Franson, and Luke Schenn as potential trade bait, while McKenzie adds Carl Gunnarson.

Burke may also put pending unrestricted free agent forward Mikhail Grabovski in play. Word from TSN’ Darren Dreger is that the Maple Leafs have been offered “a second-round pick and a prospect” that Burke believes can upgrade to a first round draft pick.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joe Colborne.

Garrioch reported on February 4th that the Maple Leafs are also willing to part with prospects Joe Colborne or Nazem Kadri (specifically for Ruutu).

While Burke may not feel the same way yet, Colborne told Koshan a couple of days ago that he would like a shot to be the type of player for the Maple Leafs that the club is looking to bring in from outside the organization.

I want to be the one the Leafs look (upon) to be their No. 1 go-to guy. It’s something I’m striving for. When I wake up every day and come to the rink, that’s the goal I have.

As for the rumors, Colborne says that he would prefer to remain in Toronto if it were up to him.

It’s old hat for me. I know Nazem (Kadri) has been in a bunch of (rumours) and we joke about it. People make it seem like we are so worried about it, but it’s really a relaxed atmosphere. I love being in Toronto and that’s where my focus is.

Nick Kypreos reported during the latest segment of SportsNet’s HockeyCentral Trade Tracker that the Vancouver Canucks are showing interest in Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter.

The Canucks want to add a big body who can play on their top-two lines, and see Carter as a fit. Apparently, Vancouver isn’t worried about Carter’s long-term contract and may make a play for him before this year’s February 27 trade deadline.

According to Kypreos, the Canucks are likely to use forward Mason Raymond as part of the package they would use to acquire Carter, or another player that adds some size and meanness to their forward group and/or blueline.

Vancouver Canucks forward Mason Raymond.

Gordon McIntyre of the Vancouver Province suggested in late January that the Canucks need a 6-2, 215-pound forward like Travis Moen of the Montreal Canadiens. Moen is having a career year offensively, but still plays a gritty game and fights when he has to. On top of that, the pending unrestricted free agent has a manageable cap hit of $1.5 million. He would make for a great playoff rental.

Montreal Canadiens forward Travis Moen.

McIntyre also wrote that Raymond will likely be used as trade bait because he’s “probably the easiest forward to move” on the Canucks, while CBC hockey analyst Ray Ferraro told Jason Botchford the Vancouver Province that Raymond has become redundant on the Canucks.

Mason would have to be obtuse not to look around and see if they’re going to make a deal here, [he] might be one of the guys in the deal. He would have to be. Just do it with simple math.

Look at the first line, it’s not going to be one of those two wingers. It’s not Daniel [Sedin)]and it’s not [Alex] Burrows. It’s not [Chris] Higgins and it’s not [David] Booth. You get to the third line and it’s not Hansen. Could be Raymond. You get to the fourth line and [Dale] Weise and Malhotra aren’t going to bring any return. It gets down pretty quick, doesn’t it?

Jason Brough of NBC’s ProHockeyTalk thinks that Raymond would be a good fit for teams looking to get faster and more skilled on their top-two lines. McIntyre believes some general managers may feel that with more playing time the 26-year-old could perhaps become the next Michael Grabner who “bloomed” when given a larger role than the one he had with a deep Canucks team.

The SportsNet’s HockeyCentral Trade Tracker panel listed the Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, and Ottawa Senators as potential trading partners for Raymond because they could all use a speedy, skilled forward like him.

Speculation persists that Columbus Blue Jackets disgruntled forward Jeff Carter will be dealt before the February 27 trade deadline, according to a recent segment of SportsNet‘s Sources Say.

While the Blue Jackets would like to move Carter, as Kevin Allen of the USA Today reports, his contract could be a problem.

Not so. The show’s panel maintained that the 10 years and $52.7 million remaining on Carter’s deal would not deter some teams from acquiring him. Thus, there could be a number of suitors.

Among them are the Vancouver Canucks, apparently, who are looking to add some size and grit along with some offense to their top line.

The Los Angeles Kings are on that list, as well.

As Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News notes, the Kings are the lowest scoring team in the National Hockey League and could go shopping for a forward before the deadline.

Speculation is that they’re investigating the possibility of picking up Carter and reuniting him with former Philadelphia Flyers teammate Mike Richards However, the cost would be too steep and Kings general manager Dean Lombardi isn’t a fan of his contract so there may not be a match in the end.

Another possible destination for Carter is Toronto, where Gleason believes Carter would benefit from being around head coach Ron Wilson and Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke.

But as Bob McKenzie of TSN notes, Burke, too, does not like those “long-term deals with the bogus years at the end.” He has been vocal in the past about not offering those kind of deals to unrestricted free agents, so what are the chances he would trade for a player that owns one of those contracts.

However, the Sources Say panel points out that the last three years of Carter’s contract are worth $3.0, $2.0, and $2 million respectively , so they could easily be bought out if Carter’s production falls off drastically. They also alluded to the new CBA bringing more flexibility for teams in dealing with long-term, expensive contracts.

Could that potentially sway general managers such as Lombardi and Burke to take a chance on Carter?

We shall soon find out.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash is telling close personal friends that he would not be opposed to parting ways with his current club, according to SportsNet’s John Shannon.

Nash allegedly has become fed up with the constant rebuild happening with the Blue Jackets and wants to play on a winner. However, he will not demand a trade. He will only waive the no-trade clause in his contract if Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson approaches him to do so.

But do the Blue Jackets have any intentions in dealing their captain and the face of their franchise?

Reports by the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch and Andy Strickland of True Hockey indicate that Columbus have higher priorities that trading Nash. And that would include moving struggling forward Jeff Carter and his massive contract. There is no indication at the moment that Nash is being shopped.

In the case that the Blue Jackets put Nash on the trade block, Garrioch believes that it would take a hefty package to acquire the Olympic gold medalist: at least a top young player, a prospect and a first round draft pick.

Garrioch claims that the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers would be interested, but Nash’s $7.8 million cap hit through 2018 may be a deterrent.

One team that wouldn’t have problems accommodating Nash’s salary and cap hit, is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

And wouldn’t you know it? Nash’s name has actually been linked to the Maple Leafs, as Bob Mitchell of the Toronto Star wrote.

Internet rumors, fueled by AM 640 hockey analyst Bill Watters, ran rampant earlier this week that Nash would be heading to Toronto along with forward Kristian Huselius, in exchange for forwards Mikhail Grabovski and Nazem Kadri, and defensemen Luke Schenn and Mike Komisarek.

Those reports were quickly debunked by TSN’s Darren Dreger, who reported that Maple Leafs general manager has not had any conversations with the Blue Jackets about Nash — who was born in Brampton, Ontario, just outside of Toronto.

SportsNet‘s HockeyCentral Trade Tracker panel recently discussed what the future of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter may hold.

The panel, along with others like Andy Strickland of True Hockey, reported that Carter isn’t happy in Columbus and he and his agent have made it clear a trade out of Columbus is much desired.

That’s news to Carter, though. He tells Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch that he has not requested a change of address.

I haven’t asked for a trade. Nothing. I’m here to play hockey.

That doesn’t mean the club isn’t shopping him.

In a segment of TSN’s Insider Trading during the All Star break, Darren Dreger reported that Carter was 100% on the trade block. Portzline as well as Pierre LeBrun of ESPN both recently confirmed that Carter has in fact been put on the trade block by Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson.

The question is, will there be any takers?

Former Philadelphia Flyers forward Mike Richards. Photo courtesy Flickr user neat1325.

The HockeyCentral panel suggested that a reunion with former Philadelphia Flyers teammate in Los Angeles might be an option. It’s unclear whether the Kings are interested, however. While they could use a player of Carter’s abilities, the cost of acquiring him may be a deterrent.

The Blue Jackets want at least a first round draft pick and a good young roster player in return, according to Dreger. That may be a little steep for the struggling Carter, who is in the first season of an 11-year, $58.0 million contract, and holds a $5.27 million cap hit. He’s got a big ticket to say the least.

Not even the deep-pocket Toronto Maple Leafs want anything to do with that contract. Despite rumors that the Maple Leafs are a suitor, Dreger reported that the Canadian club haven’t held any talks with the Blue Jackets nor think Carter is a good fit for them.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun and Bob Mitchell of the Toronto Star both believe that if he were to be moved, the Blue Jackets may have to wait until the summer to deal Carter.

Unlike others, however, Strickland doesn’t believe moving Carter will be as difficult because he’s an established scorer who is still young. A team desperate to bolster their offence for a Stanley Cup run could bite, but that is highly unlikely.

Back to Carter, he says that these kind of rumors are only natural with the kind of season the Blue Jackets have had.

There’s talk about a lot of guys (in here) right now. Our team, with the way the season has gone — the injuries, the standings, and stuff — I don’t think it should come as a surprise to anybody on our team if they end up (in rumors).

There’s not much I can do about that. That’s something I can’t worry about or control. My main focus right now is just getting healthy and getting back into the lineup.

What Carter can control, is the team he ends up with if he and the Blue Jackets agree to split as the owner of a no-trade clause.

UPDATE: it has just been reported on CBC‘s Satellite Hotstove by Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun that Carter does not have a no-trade clause in his contract.