I loved Carts when he could play.
But I am afraid Father Time has done his damage to our old friend.
39 years old, 6 goals, 2 assists, -7 in 48 games played. $3.125 million cap hit.
Only good stat is his 64% faceoff number. His -7 is second worst on the team.
Kings don’t need a faceoff specialist who brings little else at this stage of his life.
2 assists for a center? Seriously? Why would the Kings trade for a player everyone in Pittsburgh wants to get rid of?
The days of Carter being a full time, top 6 player, are gone.
We need a 4th line player, who is willing to hit, can win a draw, can move up or play on the power play occasionally, and is right handed. Why is that so important? Simply because all of our centers are left handed. The offensive team after an icing or penalty gets to choose the side, and the majority of the time, they are left handed. This gives them an advantage. We then have a center who needs to take the draw on their forehand or pull it back towards our net, which is a no no.
If we rinse him through Phoenix or Columbus for a middle round pick, the cap hit is palatable.
He knows the room, loves it here, and will fit in.
Not asking him to play 20
Minutes a night or play against the top centers in the league. 10 minutes, win some draws, hit people, may pot a goal or three.
And if doesn’t work out, he can sit in the press box.
To quote Billy Beane, “I’m not asking you to be the player you were, I just want to milk the last little bit that you have left”.