NHL Trades: Jeff Carter Gets His Wish with Trade to Los Angeles Kings

You better not pout, you better not cry.

It looks like Santa won't be stopping by Jeff Carter's house this year.

Personal holiday celebrations aside, all indications are that Jeff was a good boy (so far) this year. Reunited with his line mate and after hours (allegedly) running mate Mike Richards, it's been no secret that Carter will be happy to see Columbus in the rear view mirror.

The deal is pending of course, assuming both players pass physicals with their new teams. Ironic of course because physical is not a word commonly used to describe Carter's play.

Toting around an 11-year, $58 million contract is certainly not an easy thing to do. And finding nice things to buy with all that loot in Columbus is tough also.

As long as you have some game worn gear, you don't have to pay for tattoos (too soon Buckeye nation?), though Carter's legendary carousing might be readily accommodated by the local OSU co-eds. So is the moral of this tale: Pout and sulk until you get your way?

Let's face facts; there is no way that the former Flyers centerman thought he was headed to Ohio when he signed that aberration of a contract.

I'm sure he looked on in envy as his pal was dealt further west to SoCal. Both players have failed to impress so far this year.

Carter has shown flashes with Columbus, but was regarded as a bust considering his price tag, while Richards has fit in well with the Kings, as his lack of twine tingling has been contagious.

So the Kings send poor Jack Johnson to NHL Siberia, and get a temperamental sniper in return. Will the west coast air a mini Flyer reunion, and an endless parade of saline-enhanced baby dolls be the elixir for Carter's previously flaccid scoring touch?

Los Angeles has a talented roster, and Carter actually fits in quite nicely. He can play center or on the wing, he's a solid face off match up and loves to shoot.

Did I mention that he loves to shoot? He's a great compliment to the rugged style of Dustin Brown and, if LA wanted to get really creative, they could create the "Flyers West" line of Carter-Richards-Simon Gagne, though the latter is currently out with a concussion.

Lost in this mini-blockbuster is what Columbus got, and what they didn't get. Jack Johnson is a solid defenseman, who hasn't quite lived up to his potential.

He's a solid two-way player who is a better option than what Columbus has been rolling out there, but the Jackets didn't get a goalie (Jonathan Bernier) out of the deal. Carter's wagon heading west means that Columbus is selling wholesale, and makes us all wonder if, or when, Rick Nash may be moving?