Seems to me like the Canes got ripped a little bit in this deal. I think JJ will be quite a bit better than Gleason and Tverdovsky is no slouch either. Belanger is ok but man I think LA has some good tools in their organization for the future.
Maybe the Canes saw something that they didnt like in Johnson? If he pans out like he is projected to then you could see the Johnson, Kopitar, and O'sullivan line....WOW!!
Canes definitely got ripped, any way you spin it they could have gotten more.
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True. A 2nd or 3rd round pick would have balanced it out.
But it's a GOOD deal for Carolina in terms of their needs. The Hurricanes are poised to compete for the divisional, conference and league title again, and with recent losses of blueliners, they needed quality, affordable help now. And Gleason does that and will keep doing that into the future, maybe not a #1/2 but a solid #3/4. And Belanger is underrated, has good defensive ability and can score enough to make the difference in several games.
This is not the sort of deal that a St. Louis or Toronto would make, they being mired in the "compete every year" equal mantra of mediocrity. It IS the sort of deal a New Jersey or Detroit pulls to stay on top. Carolina is built for the next two years and solidifying Cup runs in those years at the cost of sacrificing a talent that'll blossom three to four years from now is a good move.
A team has got to know when to make a run for the Cup. Not just jog along every year like some franchises do.
And Carolina dumps Turnover Tverdovsky and his $ 5 million over the next two seasons, an important consideration in a cap league. The 'Canes can add a UFA signing now, and next season have plenty of room to re-sign Ward and Ladd.
And Johnson wants to get a university education. That would mean FOUR (4) years if he finished it all, three if he took an accelerated program. He would only have to sign a two year deal afterwards and then he'd be a UFA! So, if the 'Canes believed JJ was serious about college then it's even more sensical to move him for tools to compete now.
The Hurricanes DEFINITELY are a better team now, for this season. And should be for the following season as well. In 2010. Well, they may have lost the deal by then. Maybe. A small bird in the hand is worth a bigger one in the bush: the future isn't guarranteed with injuries, development issues, players insisting on getting a degree and Hobey Baker consideration over millions and Calder competition.
very well said Vanislanders. I guess Im just a sucker for having the top end guys. From a business standpoint the deal can make alot of sense, especially if the canes ever got into a position like the flames where they have 4 studs all needing new contracts in 1-2 years. Phaneuf, iggy, Kipper, Regehr. They may as well get something, even though JJ would be cheap once he arrived and is on a slightly different timeline.
The deal also greatly reduces the Kings competitiveness this year and next, chances of getting to the Finals let alone winning its first championship. Sorry Roenick. And I imagine there are a few Kings fans who saw Anaheim and Edmonton's postseason run and thought: This year could be our turn finally, we have the tools now (how else to explain bloated contract to Cloutier than a faith that he can take his game to the next level, otherwise a cheaper, longer term potential guy would make more sense). Instead, they have a salary cap hit in Tverdovsky, whose defensive lapses should relegate him to 6-8 minutes a game, mostly on the powerplay and risky come-from-behind situations.
There will be a couple of year window when they'll have several topend youngsters on the parent club, but whether they all pan out, gel or have sufficient support from the right veterans to make a cup run or two before they demand salaries that'll force the club to trade away one or two superstars int he making... remains to be seen.
And I imagine there are a few Kings fans who saw Anaheim and Edmonton's postseason run and thought: This year could be our turn finally, we have the tools now (how else to explain bloated contract to Cloutier than a faith that he can take his game to the next level, otherwise a cheaper, longer term potential guy would make more sense). Instead, they have a salary cap hit in Tverdovsky, whose defensive lapses should relegate him to 6-8 minutes a game, mostly on the powerplay and risky come-from-behind situations. 
