LA Kings Roundtable: Does Jeff Carter’s return make L.A. contenders in the West?

All-Star center Jeff Carter has missed all but the first six games of the LA Kings season. He is close to a return, but is it enough to make Contenders out of the silver and black? Our experts offer their opinions.

Does Jeff Carter’s return make the LA Kings contenders in the West?

Ed Stein

LA Kings GM Rob Blake pulled off a heck of a trade Tuesday to bring in Deon Phaneuf and Nate Thompson. Dumping Marion Gaborik in the process was a huge bonus. Now the return of Jeff Carter to anywhere near his former self makes L.A. favorites to emerge from the Pacific. Then anything can happen on the way to hockey’s Holy Grail.

They were close without Carter. With him, its a huge addition to the roster without a subtraction. L.A. now has three very good lines and a solid fourth line anchored by “gamer” Thompson. Additionally, Carter at center allows Adrian Kempe to move back to the wing, which plays more to his strengths as a scorer.

The Kings top four defensemen, Drew Doughty, Jake Muzzin, Alec Martinez, and Phaneuf are as good as any other team. Carter and Thompson taking draws make L.A. very formidable in their own end. Jonathan Quick is a clutch goalie. Put some defensive talent in front of him and it will be very hard for opponents to score in the tighter played post-season.

When I put this question out to the group on Tuesday morning, I would have said Carter probably makes the difference, but I think they might be just a bit short. I should thank Blake for making this roundtable easier for me.

Redan Lopez

Carter is enough to make the Kings a contender in the West. However, it remains to be seen how effective he would be after missing a majority of the season. His return would restore the 1-2 punch the Kings have had down the middle the past couple years with Kopitar and Carter. The Kings also have reliable wingers Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson, so a restoration of the 70’s line may also be in order.

The revelations of rookie Alex Iafallo and second-year man Adrian Kempe have also kept the Kings offensively potent. Dustin Brown has performed much better than in the past three years. He has already surpassed last season’s point totals (36 last year through 80 games, 38 this year through 55 games).

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The Kings have thus three reliable lines they can roll out once Carter comes back. First line: Kopitar with Brown and Adrian Kempe; Second line: Carter with Pearson and Toffoli; Third Line: Torrey Mitchell with the newly acquired Nate Thompson and Kyle Clifford.

Jonathan Quick has also known to get hot in the playoff and when healthy, can arguably outperform any goaltender in the NHL. I am defining three good lines and a great goaltender to be a contender in the West. The Kings will have this makeup once Carter is in the lineup.

Carter provides a good offensive pedigree and also is good in the faceoff circle. He would undoubtedly take some of the pressure off of Kopitar. When all is set and done, I think Carter will be the difference maker for the Kings to make the playoffs. There is no arguing Carter’s skill and leadership. However, his play on the ice will help determine how far the Kings may go.

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Jamaal Artis

A healthy Jeff Carter is like a trade deadline addition without having to give something in return. His goal scoring and playmaking may turn around the slumping Toffoli and Pearson his linemates, and his defensive skills are underrated. But it won’t make them into a contender, the Kings still need to add another winger(preferably on the left) to give them the scoring depth needed to be a playoff contender.