PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Much talk over the last month from new Penguins brass of adding a big, fourth line forward, preferably a center. Welcome veteran Jeff Carter from the LA Kings for a pair of conditional draft picks, first reported by TSN’s Bob Mackenzie.
In order to make it work with the Pens tight against the salary cap, the Kings will retain Carter’s salary. It is substantial. Carter signed an 11-year, 58-million dollar contract with the Flyers in November of 2010 that is still in effect. He makes $5,272, 272 this season and will next season. The Pens will be on the hook for the final year of his contract.
The 36-year-old has eight goals and 11 assists over 40 games. Carter was a third line winger in his last game with LA, scoring a goal with an assists. It was Carter’s first multipoint night since January 16. The team's alternate captain, he also scored the first goal of the Kings season.
Carter was a first round pick of the Flyers in 2003 and came into the Flyers lineup with Plum’s RJ Umberger in 2005. The London, Ontario native has played in 1080 NHL games with the Flyers, Kings and briefly with the Blue Jackets. He’s scored 390 goals with 361 assists and 555 penalty minutes.
The move, not yet official, comes just as the Pens got forward and bottom six center Teddy Blueger back on Sunday.