One more Jack Johnson update
I didn't expect to hear anything else today, but I just got a call from agent Pat Brisson, who confirmed that a deal is done for Jack Johnson to join the Kings. Negotiations weren't easy, it seems, because they started Saturday evening and didn't conclude until this afternoon, but Brisson said Johnson is excited to be a King and eager to play his first NHL game on Thursday. ``There was a lot of negotiation,'' Brisson said. ``I respect where the Kings were coming from and now both sides are happy and that's the most important thing.''
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About Rich Hammond
Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Nice scoop, Rich! Did Brisson say anything about the terms of the deal?
Keep up the good work Rich. Do you know if he will play for Manchester in the AHL playoffs?
Thanks for the comments...I'll do my best to answer your questions.
Gann, the bonuses that are written into these guys' entry-level contracts make it difficult to determine exactly how much they will be making. I do know that Johnson's deal is the fourth-largest for a rookie since the new CBA was signed. It puts him behind only Crosby, Ovechkin and Malkin. When you consider that Malkin had bonuses of up to $3 million written into his deal, you can estimate where Johnson might fit in.
As for the AHL playoffs, I highly doubt it. I don't believe that was part of the plan, and the quote by Johnson's father, about him resuming classes at Michigan in three weeks, makes it seem pretty clear that Johnson won't be Manchester bound.
Thanks Rich. Nice work once again. See you on Thursday. :-)
Thanks. Keep up the good work Rich.