The Carolina Hurricanes continue to shock the NHL. They called up Jack Johnson, and told him to pack his bags, as he had been traded along with Oleg Tverdovsky, to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Tim Gleason and Eric Belanger. After leaving the hockey world in utter amazement by winning the Cup this past season, they do it once again this offseason. After supposed discussions by the ?Canes and several teams throughout the NHL, they settled on defenseman Tim Gleason and forward Eric Belanger. Why you ask? With the recent departure of Aaron Ward to the Rangers, and the injury to Frantisek Kaberle, they desperately needed a defenseman, and it?s obvious. If the Hurricanes wanted to make another run at the cup, they?d need to shore up that defensive unit and provide some help for Cam Ward. After Jack Johnson decided to stay another year in College, it was apparent that the ?Canes began seeking a trade with him involved. It?s extremely difficult to believe that this is the best Carolina could?ve done in a deal for Jack Johnson. This kid is a strong, mobile defenseman with an unbelievable amount of skill. After being selected 3rd overall in the 2005 entry draft, ahead of players such as Gilbert Brule, Luc Bourdon, and Marc Staal, Johnson has tremendous upside. Would any of Brule, Bourdon or Staal be traded for such a package that the ?Canes received? It?s doubtful, as these players have been labeled nearly untouchable by their respective teams. It?s rather rare that an organization would deal a player whom they had recently drafted in the top 3 the previous year, in exchange for immediate help in a particular area of need. In Tim Gleason, Carolina will receive a tough, smooth skating, defensive oriented player. Gleason does not have a history of being an offensive force in the opposing end, but continues to improve on that aspect of the game, and several others as well. Tim Gleason looks like he?ll be a future top 4 defenseman in the NHL, something the Hurricanes are obviously comfortable with. Eric Belanger also gives them some additional depth down the middle. Belanger will never turn heads with the team, but adding depth to the team was important to the Hurricanes, especially up the middle. Another important aspect of this trade, in Carolina?s defense, was the fact that they?ll be trading away $2.5 million worth of salary in Tverdovsky. It isn?t clear whether or not Oleg has found a permanent home in Los Angeles, or whether even he makes the team. The Hurricanes were definitely not comfortable paying $2.5 million for Tverdovsky, considering that it became unlikely that he was going to be on their roster come opening day. With the new cap, this salary dump was extremely important for the Hurricanes, as they can now use that additional cap while addressing other needs throughout the season, if needed. Congratulations to the Kings for receiving an absolute gem of a player in Jack Johnson. They have done a fantastic job acquiring two young, talented players this offseason, Patrick O?Sullivan, and now, Jack Johnson. The Kings have some dangerous young talent on their roster, including O?Sullivan, Johnson, Mike Cammalleri, Alexander Frolov, and Anze Kopitar. Both teams feel a sense of accomplishment with this trade. They?ve addressed what they set out to do, and feel confident with what they have done. The Carolina Hurricanes added much needed depth to a roster that?s fresh off a Stanley Cup victory, while the Kings added one of the better prospects in the NHL. The winner here will always be the Los Angeles Kings, even if Jack Johnson turns into a bust, considering what the ?Canes could?ve received in a deal provided they were more patient.