Jeff Carter is back with the Los Angeles Kings after injury kept him out of World Cup

Jeff Carter takes pride in representing Canada, having worn the maple leaf jersey at numerous international tournaments including the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where the Canadians won gold. tHe also is known for a steadfast fitness routine that extends to the off-season.

That all blew up in one fell swoop when Carter suffered a lower-body injury in late August, weeks before the World Cup. He was replaced by the Ducks’ Corey Perry, who helped Canada reach the tournament final.

“It’s an honor to play for Canada,” Carter said. “I trained all summer and I was ready to go. [Stuff] happens. There’s not much you can do about it.”

Carter wouldn’t elaborate on the injury and said, “It didn’t feel right. Nothing major. I just wasn’t ready to go.”

He is back in Kings training camp and looked fit when he took extra work Monday before a split-squad exhibition doubleheader against the Arizona Coyotes. But there is no need to rush him back and he was held out of a 4-3 win at Staples Center. The Kings lost to the Coyotes, 5-3, at Glendale, Ariz.

Carter said it would take about four exhibition games to feel ready.

“It does take some time, unfortunately,” Carter said. “I wish I didn’t have to do it.”

Carter’s availability took on added importance with the news that teammate Marian Gaborik will be sidelined after suffering a foot injury during the World Cup. The Kings already lack depth offensively, emphasizing the need for their forward prospects to contribute.

Coach Darryl Sutter earlier in camp expressed a need for Gaborik to play with Anze Kopitar in order to produce, but that won’t happen for awhile.

“Obviously, he’s a big part of our team and a big hole to fill,” Carter said of Gaborik. “We’ll see where it goes and if he is out [long term] it’s an opportunity for some new guys to step up.”

Greene returns

Defenseman Matt Greene played in the exhibition in Arizona, his first game of any kind in almost a year.

Greene had shoulder surgery last December and said he wasn’t cleared until the season ended. His status with the Kings grew precarious just before free agency when he was placed on waivers in order to buy out the final two years of his contract.

But Greene’s experience might be needed. He helped the Kings win two Stanley Cup championships and is ready to resume playing after a long absence. The only upside of being sidelined, he said, was getting to spend time with his 1-year-old son.

“I saw his first year more than I normally would have … so that was a plus,” Greene said. “But other than that, though, it was a long year. It’s a long year watching your teammates kind of go through the season and not being able to do anything about it.”

Roster moves

Kale Clague, Jacob Friend, Jacob Moverare and Matt Schmalz were returned to their junior teams and Jonah Imoo and Miles Koules were assigned to Ontario.