Earlier on Friday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman tweeted that there is "some question about Carter's status for (the) upcoming World Cup," adding that players are scheduled to report Sunday, so "clarity should come by then."
Carter had an impressive 2014 Olympics in Sochi, scoring three goals and adding two assists in six games, playing alongside Sidney Crosby. Canada dominated the competition and won gold.
The 31-year-old had 24 goals and 38 assists for the Kings last season.
As Dave Bolland struggles with injuries, his road to recovery is looking like a long one.
Traded to the Arizona Coyotes last week, Bolland is now dealing with a back injury that's preventing him from necessary day-to-day rehab on his ankle, agent Anton Thun told arizonasports.com's Craig Morgan. Bolland tore a tendon in his ankle in 2013, when he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"The two issues are interconnected," Thun said.
Bolland's vertebrae issue in his back has led to a pinched nerve, resulting in reduced mobility.
"Until his back is fully healed," Thun added, "it's difficult to rehab the ankle. There's nothing nefarious about this. It's just a long process."
The Florida Panthers dealt Bolland - owed $16.5 million over three years - for salary cap relief, and there's no timeline for his return. Coyotes general manager John Chayka said last week the 30-year-old won't be healthy for the "foreseeable future."
Back surgery hasn't been recommended, Thun said, so Bolland is doing what rehab he can. However, there's no guarantee he'll ever be fit enough to play at the highest level again.
"I don't think anybody can project that," Thun said.
Bolland's a veteran of 433 NHL regular-season games, scoring 85 goals and adding 123 assists. He's saved his best for the playoffs, though, recording 43 points in 67 games, winning the Stanley Cup twice with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Team North America, comprised of the best American and Canadian hockey players age 23 and under as of Oct. 1, is set to turn heads at the World Cup of Hockey.
The squad, put together by Peter Chiarelli and Stan Bowman, will fly. Head coach Todd McLellan may have the fastest team in the tournament.
Here's what we project North America's lines to look like:
Forwards
It's a center-heavy group, led by Connor McDavid, and while a number of middlemen will have to move to the wing, there's skill up and down the lines. This is going to be a fast, fun set of forwards to watch.
LW
C
RW
Brandon Saad
Connor McDavid
Jack Eichel
Johnny Gaudreau
Sean Monahan
Mark Scheifele
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Nathan MacKinnon
Jonathan Drouin
Auston Matthews
Sean Couturier
Dylan Larkin
J.T. Miller
Picking a left-winger for the top line was a tough decision. Brandon Saad's a finisher, he can hang with McDavid and Jack Eichel, but so can Johnny Gaudreau. In the end, splitting up Gaudreau and Sean Monahan doesn't make sense - they make magic together. And, speaking of magic, McDavid and Eichel. That'll be something.
Auston Matthews' addition to North America was a bit curious, especially since the team lacks right-wingers and right-handed shooters. A natural center, he can't play the position on this club, so he's slotted on what is essentially a checking line, anchored by all-world defensive center Sean Couturier. Perhaps a checking role is good for Matthews, considering the hype around his playing in Toronto for the first time, and the pressure that will come along with doing that.
There's skill and shutdown potential on North America's blue line.
Aaron Ekblad highlights the group, while Morgan Rielly will be comfortable playing at the Air Canada Centre.
LD
RD
Shayne Gostisbehere
Aaron Ekblad
Ryan Murray
Seth Jones
Morgan Rielly
Colton Parayko
Jacob Trouba
Shayne Gostisbehere burst onto the scene last season, and he's earned top-pairing minutes.
Rielly could play with Seth Jones, but it makes the most sense to keep the Columbus Blue Jackets pairing together. While Rielly spent most of last season on the right side, playing with Jake Gardiner, he moves back to the left side on this team.
Goalies
John Gibson's the undisputed No. 1 in Anaheim, and an All-Star, but Matt Murray is a Stanley Cup winner. He gets the nod.
G
Matt Murray
John Gibson
Connor Hellebuyck
Power Play
This is where Gaudreau gets promoted to the top line. And in order to get MacKinnon on the second unit, he's going to man the point. He's got the shot to do it.
Unit
LW
C
RW
LD
RD
1
Gaudreau
McDavid
Eichel
Gostisbehere
Ekblad
2
Saad
Monahan
Scheifele
Rielly
MacKinnon
Penalty Kill
Couturier, of course, will be relied upon heavily by McLennan shorthanded. This is where Nugent-Hopkins, on the third line at five-on-five, can contribute. And if McLennan decides Trouba fills out the bottom pairing, he'll be a mainstay at four-on-five.
An unrestricted free agent, Carter will come to training camp hoping to secure a contract with the club.
The 33-year-old has spent the past two seasons with Minnesota, scoring seven goals with five assists through 60 games last season.
Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in 2006, the well-traveled Carter has 473 career games on his NHL resume, with stops in Minnesota, Anaheim, New Jersey, Florida, and Carolina.
New Maple Leafs No. 1 goaltender Frederik Andersen was forced from Denmark's Olympic qualifier against Slovenia on Friday, after colliding with a teammate.
There's no word on the severity of the injury, according to European analyst Aivis Kalnins.
Andersen was acquired by Toronto in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks and signed a five-year contract worth $25 million to be the club's main man in the crease.
Turning 27 next month, Andersen is a member of Team Europe for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.
The defenseman was loaned to the Zurich Lions by the Chicago Blackhawks in January and will reportedly stay in the Swiss League after signing a deal to remain with the team, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
Rundblad and the Blackhawks mutually agreed to terminate his contract in late July. Originally set to earn $1.1 million in 2016-17, Rundblad won't account for any money against the Blackhawks' salary cap this coming season, according to General Fanager.
A former first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, the 25-year-old played nine games with Chicago in 2015-16, recording two assists. He has four goals and 21 assists in 113 NHL games.
The Blackhawks reportedly paid $100,000 against the cap as a condition for loaning Rundblad out last season.
Drury, 40, suited up for the Rangers from 2007-2011, serving as captain for his last three years with the club. He currently serves as the team's director of player development.
In 1998-99, Drury scored 44 points in 79 games to capture the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. He won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2001.
The World Cup of Hockey begins Sept. 17. It's coming.
While high-caliber international hockey tournaments are always a treat, the return of the World Cup features two teams we've never seen before: Team Europe and Team North America.
The North American squad features Canadian and American players age 23 and under as of Oct. 1. In other words, the future of the NHL.
Here are three to watch:
Connor McDavid
Obviously.
Let's face it: Connor McDavid could easily be on Team Canada. But he's not, and it's going to be fascinating to watch him lead this young team against the field.
Born in Richmond Hill, Ontario, 45 minutes north of Toronto, McDavid's playing at home - something he wasn't able to do during his stellar rookie season. While he did light up the Maple Leafs - he had five points, the best game of his young career - it happened in Edmonton.
McDavid's the next one. Should he be named captain of the North American squad, it'll be a nice test run for his eventual wearing of the "C" with the Oilers.
The best players in the world will take to the ice in September. McDavid's already one of them, and he'll prove it at this tournament.
Auston Matthews
Obviously. Again.
But, let's be real, the focus on North America may be more on young Auston Matthews than McDavid, simply because the future of the Maple Leafs - the No. 1 center the team hasn't had since the glory days of Mats Sundin - will take to the ice for the first time in Toronto at the World Cup.
The competition will be stiff, and the pressure heavy. Matthews will be put to the test immediately, and how he responds - both on the ice and off - will be interesting.
Matthews is only 18. Remember that, Leafs fans. It's important.
Jonathan Drouin
It's remarkable what an injury to Steven Stamkos and a productive playoff run will do for you.
Only a few months ago, Jonathan Drouin was on the outs not only with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but even its farm team, the Syracuse Crunch. One heartfelt apology and 14 points in 17 playoff games later, the 21-year-old will suit up with the best of his generation.
Drouin doesn't make the team if he doesn't shine in the postseason, and not only did he perform, he was spoken of in glowing terms by his head coach, Jon Cooper, and his teammates. What will be interesting to watch will be the role the youngster's given on this team, and, if it's not as crucial as he likes, how he responds.
The kid's got game. That's clear. But has he matured, and learned lessons? Can he also be the ultimate teammate, willing to make sacrifices to win? Those are the big questions.
Honorable mentions
As it stands, Johnny Gaudreau will play in the World Cup without an NHL contract.
Think about Jack Eichel on McDavid's wing. Oh, mamma.
In goal, John Gibson's got the most NHL experience, but Matt Murray's got a ring, and did he ever earn it.
