Carter had everything a GM was looking for in a number 1 center. He had the size at 6'3, and had averaged 30 goals a season in his career. Apart from missing 20 games due to injury, it did not work out for him in Columbus because the right tools were not there which had contributed to the Blue Jackets struggles.
As the trade deadline approaches and with Columbus having a horrible season, rumors were certainly flying around about Carter's future in Columbus. The rumors ended up being true as Carter was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenceman Jack Johnson and a first round pick in the 2012 entry draft.
This is obviously a great move for the Kings. They were a top a forward away from being one of the elite teams in the Western Conference. Carter now will be even more motivated because he is reunited with former teammates Mike Richards and Simon Gagne. This impacts the Kings even more because now they have 3 great centers in him, Richards and Anze Kopitar. The Kings now have the right tools which will help them qualify in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a third straight year.
