Jeff Carter Out Indefinitely After Sustaining Skate Cut to Left Leg

The Los Angeles Kings (and the world) got a little less beautiful this afternoon with the news that Jeff Carter would be out indefinitely.

Carter left Wednesday’s game after Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry appeared to step on his left leg, just above the ankle. Via @KingsGifs, here is the play in question:

Jon Rosen broke the news earlier:

The best in his recovery. Good luck, Jeff. pic.twitter.com/ET1Pci6Bgt

— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) October 19, 2017

Bob McKenzie gauged the best-case recovery time, at an absolute minimum, to be 6-8 weeks. That would mean a return in 2017, which would be a good outcome. (2018 seems more likely though.) Rob Blake provided one positive this morning, telling reporters that the cut is not to Carter’s Achilles.

So good-ish news. Except, there's this.

Brooks Laich will sign a contract with the #LAKings, via multiple sources.

— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) October 19, 2017

Carter led the Kings in goals and points last season and no one else even came close. So far in six games, he has no goals, three assists and is -1 (+9 in Corsi differential for what it's worth).

Brooks Laich technically qualifies as a hockey player. In 764 NHL games, he's scored 134 goals and 197 assists. For some reason, the coaching staff thinks he's a better option than Nic Dowd. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

(For what it’s worth, McKenzie added that Laich agreed to this one-year contract, at the minimum, prior to Carter’s injury.)

Get well soon, Carter!