LOS ANGELES -- Jeff Carter wore a Kings uniform for 580 of the 1,123 games he has played in the NHL.
He won two Stanley Cups in this town, and forged countless friendships and memories along the way.
He also is 37 years old, and working on a contract that expires in a few months, so he understand that the Penguins' game at Crypto.com Arena Thursday night might be the final one he ever plays here.
But that doesn't mean he's resigned to it.
Fact is, Carter made it pretty clear Wednesday that he'd like to extend his career at least a bit.
"I hope to stick around for a few more years," he said.
Whether Carter has a future with the Penguins is hard to say -- that likely will be up to Ron Hextall -- but his teammates seem certain that he shouldn't be thinking about giving up the game.
"I think he's definitely got a lot left in the tank," Mike Matheson said. "He's a specimen. It's crazy. ... The strength he has, the endurance, it's incredible."
If nothing else, it's clear that Carter is a significant part of the Penguins' short-term plans.
He has 11 goals and nine assists in 29 games this season and, at least for now, is filling a significant role alongside Evgeni Malkin and Kasperi Kapanen on their second line.
Carter and Malkin each scored twice in the Penguins' 4-1 victory at Anaheim Tuesday, when Malkin made his first appearance after undergoing knee surgery during the offseason.
"it looked like he didn't miss a beat," Carter said. "I've been watching him for four or five months -- however long it's been since he's been on the ice -- and he's something special, the way he goes about (his job), his skill level and the way he thinks the game is pretty amazing."
Carter said he was given a "maintenance day" Wednesday and did not practice, but figures to be back with Malkin and Kapanen for the Kings game.
He clearly merits such a role, having put up 20 goals and 11 assists in 43 games with the Penguins since they acquired him at the 2021 trade deadline.
His initial reaction to being dealt wasn't necessarily positive -- "It was a tough day for me," Carter said -- but the Penguins have proven to be a good fit for him, personally and professionally.
"I feel like the trade's worked out great for me," he said. "I feel like it's given me another boost in my career and probably prolonged it a few more years, hopefully."
It's worked out nicely for the Penguins, too, as much because of Carter's intangibles as his talent.
"With his presence and the amount of years he's been in the league, he's obviously learned a lot and has that composure and confidence that a veteran like him brings," Matheson said. "A guy who's had so much success in the NHL and the Olympics. He's been great to have."
The game Thursday will give Carter a chance to remind the Kings what he added to their lineup, and him a chance to relive some of the good times he had here.
"It's a lot of fun to be back," Carter said. "I'm sure it will feel a little weird come game time, but I'm looking forward to it."
And to coming here a few more times before he walks away from the game.
MORE FROM THE PRACTICE
• With only 12 healthy forwards available, the Penguins recalled Drew O'Connor and Filip Hallander from Wilkes-Barre. O'Connor is on the regular roster, while Hallander is on the taxi squad.
• Part of the reason for the strong play of the Penguins' defense corps is that guys have managed to stay healthy, which allows pairings to remain intact and develop chemistry between partners. "For the most part, we've been able to keep that six-man unit together," assistant coach Todd Reirden said. "I think that really has allowed us to take the next step, in terms of our development."
• Carter, on the Penguins' personnel: "It has a lot of potential to be a really good lineup if we can ever get everybody together here."
• Personnel combinations:
Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Evan Rodrigues
Drew O'Connor-Evgeni Malkin-Kasperi Kapanen
Radim Zohorna-Teddy Blueger-Dominik Simon
Kasper Bjorkqvist-Brian Boyle-Anthony Angello
Brian Dumoulin-Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson-John Marino
Mike Matheson-Chad Ruhwedel
Juuso Riikola-Mark Friedman
Power play No. 1: Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Guentzel, Rodrigues
Power play No. 2: Matheson, Marino, Zohorna, Simon, Kapanen