Carter talks about joining Kings

Here’s what Jeff Carter said a few minutes ago about his trade to the Kings. Carter is expected to play tonight…

CARTER: “It feels good. It’s been a long day and a half or so, but I’m excited to get here and get right into the lineup.’’

Question: Excited to get back with Mike (Richards) as well?

CARTER: “Yeah, obviously we’re good friends. It just so happened that we end up together again, so it’s obviously nice to play with him.’’

Question: How do you sum up your time in Columbus?

CARTER: “It was short. I think, when we went in there, the team as a whole, we had some high expectations. There was a lot of buzz around the city, and for whatever reason it didn’t happen for us. You can say that we had lots of injuries and suspensions, and the team didn’t have time to click, but that’s kind of the way it goes sometimes. When the team performs like that, they’re going to make moves.’’

Question: Did you approach them about a trade, or did they tell you?

CARTER: “It just kind of happened that way. I didn’t ask for a trade.’’

Question: When did they tell you they were thinking of moving you?

CARTER: “I didn’t really know. There’s been a lot of rumors going around. I just kind of rolled with it and tried to play some good hockey. … When a team under-performs like that, especially with the expectations we had coming into the season, there’s always going to be moves. That’s just the way it is sometimes.’’

Question: Was it a frustrating year for you?

CARTER: “It was obviously a tough year. I went in and felt pretty good in the preseason, was starting to kind of get acclimated with linemates and the team and whatnot. Then I break my foot and I’m out four weeks. Come back and start to get going again, and then I’m out with the shoulder injury. It was a real up-and-down, a lot of time to kind of sit back and reflect on things. I think, since I’ve been back from my shoulder, I’ve started to play some pretty good hockey, so I’m looking to carry it over here.’’

Question: What was the conversation like with Mike, when you found out you were coming here?

CARTER: “To be honest with you, I really didn’t have much time to talk to him until I got out here. I was pretty busy with things back there, getting things settled down. Obviously we’re both excited. We’ve become real close friends and enjoy playing together. We’ll look forward to getting it going here.’’

Question: In Philadelphia, you guys came real close (to winning the Stanley Cup). What do you think is possible here?

CARTER: “We never probably thought this would happen again, especially this quick. Obviously we’re both pleased with it. For me, coming to this team, I told Mike when he got traded here, `You’ve got a heck of a team. You’ve got a chance to win.’ So I’m excited to be a part of it. We’ve got a lot of work to do here, ahead of us, but I’m excited.’’

Question: Mike talked about how the media in Philadelphia was tough and made up stuff. Do you feel that way about the way you were treated as well?



CARTER: “I’ve moved on from that. It’s in the past. We can sit here and go on for months and months and months and talk about it, but honestly I’m over that. I’ve moved on and I’m excited to be here.’’

Question: Were you treated fairly there?

CARTER: “Obviously it’s a tough market to play in. The media is hard. The media is hard in other cities too. It is what it is, though.’’

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