Canes deal Johnson
Unwilling to sign with the Hurricanes for the past two season, defenceman Jack Johnson, the 3rd overall pick from 2005 was dealt to the L.A. Kings along with defenceman Oleg Tverdovsky, in exchange for defenceman Tim Gleason, and Eric Belanger.
The Hurricanes were left with a depleted defence corps, after losing Aaron Ward to free agency, and the recent injury to Frantisek Kaberle, were in need of fresh bodies. Their #1 pick from 2 years ago, Jack Johnson, has refused to sign, preferring to remain in college. Rumors were abound that he would be dealt, but no appealing offers were apparently to be had. Until today.
The Hurricanes aquire an average defender in Tim Gleason, with tremendous offensive upside. He scored 21 points for the Kings (2 goals, 19 assists) last season and center Eric Belanger who scored 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists) should help to lessen the loss of Cory Stillman. Slightly. However, they get two NHL ready players for one, and an untested rookie who would never have played for them.
The big question is, can the Kings lure Johnson from Michigan (i think that's where he plays), sign him to a pro contract and get him in the line up. The bigger question is, can Johnson play at the NHL level. Bigger still, can he grow a playoff beard? Can the Kings make the playoffs!
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
Well, I had hoped this wouldn't happen but it seems the Canes ran out of patience for whatever reason. Were egos bruised this badly or what the crap? So the kid wants to stay in college, it's not like he's going to get worse there! The Canes are obviously learning that good defensemen are hard to come by...so why then get rid of two? Doesn't make sense.
I read Tverdovsky was a salary dump, but still - didn't he have a decent season points wise last year? Is Tim Gleason really that much better? I've never even heard of that dude. Why do either of these two questions need to involve Jack Johnson???
Bosh, do you know for sure that Johnson would never play for the Canes? My understanding was that he simply wanted to play another year at Michigan.
Regardless, I guess time will be the only way to tell who comes out on top here but it sure reeks of a wasted high draft pick to me at this moment.
Posted by: Playoff Moustache | September 29, 2006 01:54 PM
yes, he goes to Michigan. As do I.
Posted by: jeff | September 29, 2006 04:51 PM
A father, who acts as an agent, and son don't want to play for a certain team.....how very Lindros-esque.
Posted by: Wazz | September 29, 2006 05:21 PM
Enjoy watching this kid, Jeff. If his dream is to win a title at Michigan, I hope he accomplishes this (because he could already have a STANLEY CUP ring - I always knew Michigan sports folks were a little looney about their state...)
Seriously though - pretty levelheaded article about the whole thing here:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=179276&hubname=nhl
Posted by: Stache | September 29, 2006 05:41 PM