Kings acquire Carter

The Los Angeles Kings have acquired All-star forward Jeff Carter from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenceman Jack Johnson and a first-round draft pick, the teams said on Thursday.

Carter, 27, who was in his first season with Columbus after spending the previous six campaigns with the Philadelphia Flyers, is a three-time 30-goal-aseason scorer who will be expected to give a boost to a Kings team battling to make the playoffs.

“He brings goal-scoring abilities, speed and at his age he is entering the prime of his career,” Kings general manager Dean Lombardi said in a statement. “We also like his versatility as he can play both centre and wing.”