Thread: Kings/Carolina Trade

Kings Snag Blue Chip Blueline Prospect

The Kings have traded center Eric Belanger and defender Tim Gleason to the Carolina Hurricanes for the rights to defenseman Jack Johnson (the third overall pick [behind Sidney Crosby and Bobby Ryan] in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft), plus defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky.

“We felt the opportunity to acquire Jack Johnson was something we couldn’t pass up as we continue to search for ways to upgrade this franchise,” said Kings GM Dean Lombardi. “This move required that we give up two good players, but has the potential to help us in the near future as well as for many years to come.”

Jack Johnson is a tough young defenseman who has been compared to Chris Chelios. He chose to return to college (Michigan-CCHA) this year instead of going pro, and apparently the Hurricanes don't have much patience.

Oleg Tverdovsky is an offensive defenseman who has two years left on his contract at 2.5 million per season.

Said Lombardi: “Oleg Tverdovsky is a proven NHL defenseman who adds to our veteran mix on the back end.”

*Speachless*

WOW. Seems like a GREAT trade. Gleason is an emotional loss, but he would never be as good as we hoped he would. Belanger is no surprize.

Oleg and Jack Johnson. Now that is a trade that DT never would have pulled off. I am SOLD on Dean Lombardi. He's a genious.

I am REALLY excited about this team now.

It's going to be a lot of fun watching our younger guys grow and contribute to this team for the next several years!

Thanks Deano!

Who is our faceoff guy now?

according to hockeysfuture.com/prospect/jack_johnson

Jack Johnson came into the spotlight while spending two years at Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school, where he played with his good friend and future phenom, Sidney Crosby. He went on to play with the U.S. NTDP during the 2003-04 season. He continued with Hockey USA and the development program for 2004-05 where he was among the best defenders in the system for the second year running and led all defensemen in scoring during that span. Johnson has also seen international competition, playing in the 2004 IIHF World U-18 Championships in Minsk, Russia. Over the course of the 2004-05 season, he helped Team USA to commanding tournament sweeps at the Five Nations Tournament, Compuware Four Nations Cup and the U-18 2005 IIHF World Under-18 Championships.

Name: Jack Johnson

Position: D

Shoots: Left

Height: 6-1

Weight: 206 lbs

Birthdate: 1987-01-13

Hometown: Faribault, Minnesota

Unbelievable trade...I think it will be very good in the long run. Got to give something to get something, but losing Belly hurts (he's been here for so long), as does losing Gleason (although you're probably right about him, Stix).

Tverdovsky is, of course, very talented, but also tends to fall of the face of the earth from time to time. Probably just thrown in to make up for the loss fo Gleason in the D-corps.

Johnson sounds like he was the key piece of the trade. A 3rd overall pick defenseman with loads of talent and an edge to his game...not bad.

I'm think we're beginning to see a pattern with Lombardi (which, given his record in SJ, shouldn't be a surprise) of being able to pull off trades for prospects who are as close to "sure-fire" as prospects can be.

Well, Well! This is a shocker. Remember Kings fans, let this settle in before you flame away.

wow

Wow. I was surprised at first, I feel bad for Gleason and Belanger, but I really thing this trade will work out well for the Kings.

This is going to be DL's first great move.

Now bring back Demitra!

Losing Belanger doesn't hurt at all. This team wasn't going anywhere this year with him or without him.

Getting rid of Belanger means that Kopitar is going to get to play in the NHL this season. We didn't need another season of Belanger sitting out 20+ games due to injury.