Johnson could join Kings soon

Jack Johnson, the prized young defenseman acquired in a trade during training camp, and the Kings are in contract talks, with the possibility he could join the team Tuesday in San Jose.

Johnson, a sophomore at the University of Michigan, will get a standard entry-level contract, but the bonuses still need to be worked out. He remained in Denver on Sunday, a day after the Wolverines were eliminated by North Dakota in the NCAA playoffs.

“It is a work in progress, and we’re still waiting for a few things to get ironed out,” Johnson said. “I’m hanging loose to see if it gets worked out in time. If it doesn’t, I’ll head back to Ann Arbor. But I’m looking forward to heading west.”

If the 20-year-old Johnson signs, the Kings are expected to give him playing time during their final six regular-season games.

Johnson, who has played for the U.S. in the last two world juniors championships, was the third overall pick in the 2005 draft, two spots below Sidney Crosby.

Hurricanes officials became frustrated when Johnson spurned contract offers a year ago and dealt him to the Kings for defenseman Tim Gleason and center Eric Belanger.

The Kings also had to take veteran defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky and his hefty contract as part of the deal.