Carter signed an 11-year, $58 million deal with the Philadelphia Flyers in November 2010 but now will be joining his third team since agreeing to it.

Acquired in a blockbuster deal with Philadelphia last summer, Carter was expected to center the Blue Jackets' top line with captain Rick Nash, who is also rumored to be on the trading block leading up to Monday's NHL dealing deadline. But Carter missed 20 games with a broken foot and a separated shoulder. He had three goals in the Blue Jackets' previous game and has 15 goals and 10 assists in 39 games this season.

Carter will now be reunited with forward Mike Richards, who was traded by the Flyers to the Kings last June on the same day Carter was shipped to Columbus in a major Philadelphia housecleaning.

"I am obviously excited," Carter told the Kings' website. "I am familiar with the team and a lot of guys on the team. ... I looked at the Kings at the start of the year as being a club in a good position to win. I look forward to coming to L.A."