PITTSBURGH — Jeff Carter wasn’t planning on leaving Los Angeles. The veteran forward put down roots during a decade with the Kings, a highly successful run that included a pair of Stanley Cups.

Then Pittsburgh general manager Ron Hextall called early Monday morning with an offer to chase a third. And the 36-year-old Carter’s mind changed quickly.

“He said, ‘I’m all in, I can’t wait to get there,” Hextall said Monday afternoon while announcing the first major move since he replaced Jim Rutherford in February. “We have a player here who has won two Stanley cups ... his reaction last night was terrific.”

And emphatic.

“He said I can come out whenever you want, I’m ready to go tomorrow, which is today,” Hextall said. “Credit to Jeff, he should be here (Monday night) and hopefully we can get him in with the rest of the guys (on Tuesday).”

Carter was the lone move the Penguins made at the deadline, one made easier thanks to both Carter’s Cup-winning pedigree and the Kings’ offer to pick up half of Carter’s salary, which carries an average annual value of $5.2 million.

Los Angeles will receive a conditional third-round selection in the 2022 draft and a conditional fourth-round selection in 2023.

Carter has played 16 years in the NHL with the past nine-plus seasons coming with the Kings, whom he helped to a pair of Stanley Cup titles. The 36-year-old forward was acquired from Columbus during the 2011-12 season. During his time with the Kings, he led the team in power-play (57) and game-winning goals (44), was second in goals (194), third in points (383) and fourth in assists (189).

In 40 games this season, Carter has eight goals and 11 assists. He leaves Los Angeles tied for 10th in franchise history in goals and first in overtime goals with 11. The Kings are likely to miss the postseason for a third straight season. They have won only three of their past 10 and are six points out of the final playoff spot in the West Division.

While the Kings are sinking, the Penguins are soaring despite a series of injuries to high-profile players such as center Evgeni Malkin and forwards Kasperi Kapanen and Brandon Tanev. Pittsburgh sits just two points back of Washington and the New York Islanders in the East and is 8-2 over its past 10 games.

Hextall felt compelled to find a way to bolster the Penguins based on the team’s play in the face of significant adversity.

“Acquiring Jeff is really a credit to the job our players have done,” Hextall said.