If you missed out on the review of Dustin Brown last time,
check it out right here.
Jeff Carter #77
Age: 29
Contract status: 5.272 AAV through 2021-2022
Stats:
Other stats:
Corsi: 56.8%
Corsi relative: +0.3%
Faceoffs: 52.2%
TOI: 18:57
His season
Carter was a very important cog on the Kings team both during the regular season and the playoffs. There is no question about it. The 29-year old Carter was second on the team during the regular season in both goals and points behind Anze Kopitar. However, looking at it historically, 27 goals is the second lowest total Carter has ever had in a full NHL season.
That is the nature of the beast when you play in a system such as the Kings though.
While many questioned the ability of Carter to integrate into such a defensively intensive system when he first made way over from Columbus, No. 77 has done just fine. He has proven to be a commodity with the Kings in every situation, be it powerplay, penalty kill, or even strength. Amongst forwards, Carter averaged the second most powerplay time on the team, the fifth most shorthanded time, and was third on the team in even strength points. While he was noticeably more effective as a winger, Carter suited up a ton of games for the Kings at center as well. His ability to slot in at center was one of the many reasons the Kings were able to match up with deep teams like Chicago, and overmatch not-so-deep teams like Anaheim or New York. He was also a plus-8 on the season and finished up the regular season with a positive corsi percentage. So the notion that Jeff Carter floats is a somewhat antiquated notion at this point in my own opinion. He was an effective all-situations man for the Kings almost all year.
What you do get with 77 though in terms of negative things is extreme bouts of hot and cold.
Example? Carter opened up the season with four goals in the first four games of the year, but then followed it up with a stretch of three in his next 17. He notched 13 in his next 20, then followed it up with 4 in the subsequent 20. It's never all goals all the time with Carter, they come in bunches. You take the bunches though because even when he isn't scoring he is one of the more effective King players.
Defensive pairings that had the onerous task of matching up with Carter had to deal with his ridiculous speed. Coupled with Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli, both of whom can fly in their own right, this line became one of the most important lines in the playoffs for LA. Colloquially known as "That 70's Line", this line essentially won the Chicago series for the Kings. Carter's 11 points and five goals in the Hawks series was the proverbial dagger in the heart of Chicago on many nights. If you forget everything about his season this year, do remember some of his tremendous Western Conference Finals performances. They were integral.
We shouldn't focus entirely on the NHL season either. Carter was a choice for Team Canada that was questioned by many fans. However, after a sketchy start Carter finished the tournament third on Team Canada in scoring and with five points in six games.
He played a key part in the Kings winning the Stanley Cup and a key part in Team Canada winning gold.
As Larry David might say that's....
Moving Forward
Carter will again be relied upon next season and for many seasons after that as a key contributor in the LA offense. While he isn't the sole provider of goals, he is still heavily depended upon to get in that 25-35 goal range and contribute on the penalty kill and powerplay. The Kings score by committee, but there are definitely committee members who lead the charge. He, Kopitar, and Gaborik are likely going to be the main men again next season. With the somewhat meager offensive year from Dustin Brown and the declining offensive threat posted by Jarret Stoll and Mike Richards, it could be a more top heavy scoring table next season. However, Justin Williams still manages to make waves, and a full year of Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson may also help soften the workload on the big forward.
I really don't know what there is to dislike about Carter. If he can put together another complete season in 2014-15 like he did in 2013-14 then it's going to be a good season for everyone involved. At age 29 he is just hitting his prime, and with a raising cap and a reasonable hit of $5.272MM no one in their right mind should be complaining.
As long as Carter can stay healthy he is one of the best players currently in the league, and has proven his worth to the Kings for several years running now.
Maybe you want some more regular season points, but how can you complain with the overall results of his play?
Agree? Disagree? Cast your vote. Do what Mike Richards would do and give him an A++
Final Grade: A
Follow me on twitter for news and notes about the Kings and the NHL
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»