Jeff Carter: “Better Than Any Trade?”

We’re used to the NHL Trade Deadline being a disappointment. Although leaguewide activity picked up and more first-round picks were traded today than in any of the past ten deadline days, the Kings largely stayed away from the available players after landing Dion Phaneuf, Tobias Rieder, and Nate Thompson in earlier deals. I certainly didn’t want LA -- an apparent longshot for the Stanley Cup even if they do make the playoffs -- giving up Gabriel Vilardi, Kale Clague, or a draft pick likely to be in the middle of the first round. In terms of protecting the Kings’ future assets, the deadline was a success.

Of course, you’ve likely heard several voices proclaim that the Kings got the best…