Carter ready to aid Cup run

teams. He won the Stanley Cup a couple of times and a gold medal alongside Crosby in 2014. And he started a family out in Los Angeles, saying goodbye to them for now after the Penguins picked him up.

Hoping that the big lug could be the missing piece to their championship puzzle, general manager Ron Hextall traded a pair of conditional draft picks to the Los Angeles Kings early Monday to acquire Carter. A day later, the forward arrived at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex and hit the ice for an informal skate.

Carter had previously expressed a desire to finish his career in Los Angeles. But he also saw the writing on the wall with the Kings in the middle of a rebuild.

“I understand the position [Kings GM Rob Blake] was in,” Carter said. “They need to open up some spots because they’ve got a lot of young guys coming up.”

Carter heard rumblings a few weeks ago that Hextall, who won the Cup as a Kings executive in 2012, had reached out to Los Angeles to inquire about his availability. That had quieted down until Sunday morning, when Carter woke up to a phone call from his agent, who reported that Hextall had circled back to the Kings.

He was told Sunday afternoon West Coast time that a trade was imminent.

“I didn’t really think it would happen this year, but that’s the way it goes. I loved my time in L.A. and made some lifelong friends. And I was able to have a lot of success there,” he said. “But I’m excited to be here. You look at this team and they’re right in the mix and have as good of a shot as anyone this year.”

Carter’s game has evolved over the past 15 years. In Philadelphia, he was a scorer first, racking up 115 goals from 2008 to 2011. The Flyers, desperate to end their long championship drought, shipped Carter to Columbus. Mere months later, the Blue Jackets traded him to the Kings for Jack Johnson and a draft pick.

Carter helped Hextall and the Kings hoist the Stanley Cup that first year and in the ensuing seasons became a two-way force who received Selke Trophy votes.

In 580 regular season games with the Kings, the Ontario native had 194 goals and 383 points. Carter added 26 goals and 53 points in 73 postseason games.

“My game is pretty simple — straight lines and trying to use my speed and get pucks to the net whenever I can,” said Carter, who intends to keep playing in 2021-22, the final year of his contract. “It’s a pretty simple game for me.”

Carter, who is 6 feet 3 and 220 pounds, had mostly lined up at center during his NHL career. But in the past two seasons he predominantly played right wing. In 40 games in 2021, Carter had eight goals, 19 points and a minus-6 rating.

“My role in L.A. changed over the last couple of years,” he said. “I was put in more of a mentor role and ended up playing with a lot of the young guys and kind of helped them along. I actually really enjoyed that. It was a fun time for me.”

But you know what’s more fun? Sipping champagne from the Stanley Cup.

“That’s the ultimate goal no matter where you are every year,” he said. “Coming here and joining this team in the run they’re on right now and the position we’re in, it’s exciting. I can’t wait to get back to the playoffs and make a run at it.”

The Penguins believe Carter can be a difference -maker. For now, they plan for him to skate at center in the short term but might move him to the wing once Evgeni Malkin returns. They think he can help in both phases of special teams, too.

“We’re obviously thrilled to add Jeff to our group here,” coach Mike Sullivan said Tuesday. “He’s a real good player. He’s a proven player. He’s a Stanley Cup champion.

“I think he can play the type of game we’re trying to play for Pittsburgh. He can really skate. He has a great shot. He has versatility to his game.”

Sullivan added that he thinks he will fit seamlessly into the dressing room.

Carter also believes he should be able to assimilate quickly into the group.

“It’s always nice when you’re going to new places to have some familiar faces,” Carter said. “I’ve known Hexy for a long time. We have a really good relationship, so I was able to see him this morning and chat a bit. [Hextall] and Chris Pryor are here. I played junior with Trevor Daley and [on Team Canada] with Sid.”

It will look a little odd Thursday when Carter pulls on his No. 77 sweater for the first time when the Penguins host the Flyers, of all teams, at PPG Paints Arena.

But he is pumped to play with Crosby, Kris Letang and, eventually, Malkin.

“I’m happy to just be able to suit up with them now,” he said, adding, “Anytime you have Sid and Malkin and the core that they have here … you’re going to have a chance to win every season. Wherever I fit in here, which line or what role or whatever it may be, I’m just looking forward to getting out there and helping.”