World Cupdates: Jeff Carter To Miss World Cup with “Week-to-Week” Injury

Jeff Carter should be ready for the first game of the 2016-17 season.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about this injury he sustained while preparing for the World Cup of Hockey. The initial word came from Elliotte Friedman...

Some question about Jeff Carter's status for upcoming World Cup. Players report on Sunday, clarity should come by then

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 2, 2016

... with more context via Jon Rosen at LA Kings Insider.

Based on correspondence, Carter suffered a lower-body injury while training. I have a preliminary sense that this isn’t a major injury – one source told LA Kings Insider the injury is “week-to-week” – though in all likelihood he won’t be able to participate at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey...

And it was confirmed shortly after, as Jeff Carter was replaced by a guy who once squirted water in his glove, Corey Perry.

Carter has never missed more than ten games in a season since his move to Los Angeles, with a broken foot being his only serious in-season injury in that time. Obviously, until someone gets surreptitious footage of Carter in a walking boot, we won’t be sure what the deal is. It sounds like Carter should be fine, and if the choice is between him fighting through it at the World Cup of Hockey or recovering and relaxing, the Kings will take the latter option. A number of other teams seem to be doing the same.

This is…interesting from Doug Wilson. pic.twitter.com/q2F0X9P3Zj

— Fear The Fin (@fearthefin) September 4, 2016

In the meantime, Jake Muzzin and Drew Doughty will hold the fort on Team Canada, most likely on the same pairing.