Johnson signs, should play Thursday
The Kings signed defenseman Jack Johnson on Monday to a three-year entry-level contract that will pay him $850,000 a season, with bonuses that add another $2 million a season, sources familiar with the team said.
Johnson, the third overall pick in the 2005 draft, is expected to be in the lineup Thursday when the Kings play the Vancouver Canucks.
The Kings acquired the rights to Johnson from the Carolina Hurricanes for defenseman Tim Gleason and center Eric Belanger. The Kings also had to take defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky, who has one year left on his contract that will pay him $2.5 million next season.
“The L.A. Kings, that’s the spotlight, with all the marketing there, that will be a great opportunity,” Johnson said last month. “I’ve played with a couple of the players there, Patrick O’Sullivan, Dustin Brown. I’m excited about playing there.”
The Kings’ plan to have veteran Rob Blake mentor Johnson, who doesn’t shy away from contact and has top-end skating skills and a heavy shot.
TONIGHT
at San Jose, 7:30, FSN Prime Ticket
Site -- HP Pavilion.
Radio -- 1150.
Records -- Kings 26-36-14, Sharks 46-26-4.
Record vs. Sharks -- 2-4-0.
Update -- Nick Nickson, the Kings’ radio announcer for 26 seasons, remains out with a bad back.
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