NHL Rumors: Potential Goaltending Targets for the Los Angeles Kings
Potential goalie trade targets for Los Angeles Kings
The Athletic’s Eric Stephens: Los Angeles Kings general manager Rob Blake will have to decide if he’s okay with Pheonix Copely and Jonathan Quick as his goaltending tandem ahead of the playoffs.
10 options for the Kings
Jake Allen – Montreal Canadiens – Two years left at $2.875 million. Allen signed an extension in October, so he’s probably not going anywhere.
Mackenzie Blackwood – New Jersey Devils – FRG with a cap of $2.8 million. Inconsistent and could lose his backup job to Akira Schmid in New Jersey.
John Gibson – Anaheim Ducks – $6.4M cap reached through 2027. The deal may scare them, and could the two teams trade together? Cal Petersen would need to go the other way.
Thomas Greiss – St. Louis Blues – UFA with a cap of $1.25 million. Works well in tandem but is 36 years old and few playoff starts.
Joonas Korpisalo – Columbus Blue Jackets – UFA with a cap of $1.3 million. Still capable when healthy.
Kevin Lankinen – Nashville Predators – UFA to a cap of $1.5 million. Putting up good numbers this year, but never made a playoff start.
Antti Raanta – Carolina Hurricanes – UFA to a cap of $2.4 million. The Hurricanes trading Raanta clears a roster spot for Pyotr Kochetkov. Raanta has a history of injuries.
James Reimer – San Jose Sharks – UFA with a cap of $2.25 million. Solid goalie at a reasonable price, but can the Sharks and Kings make a trade. He only played 11 playoff games.
Cam Talbot – Ottawa Senators – UFA to a cap of $3.66 million. Some have had playoff success. Currently injured and his contract could mean the Kings have to move their salary if the Senators don’t retain him.
Karel Vejmelka – Arizona Coyotes – Two years left at $2.725 million. Could be a proven goalkeeper beyond this season. The Coyotes could decide to build around him. The price would likely be very high for a player with no playoff experience.
The Kings could tackle Canadians Jake Allen to solve goaltending issues.
When asked what Los Angeles Kings general manager Rob Blake was going to do at the trade deadline during his weekly appearance on TSN 690 Radio, fourth period David Pagnotta said that in more to improve the left side of the defense, he would like to stabilize his goalkeeper. And Jake Allen could be an option for Los Angeles.
TSN Radio 690 David Pagnotta: “I mean maybe. It would certainly fit. I just don’t know if Canadians want to go that route. Even if (Samuel) Montembault was solid. I am not sure.
The thing about (Cam) Talbot is he’s a UFA and Ottawa will likely keep some of his $3,667 salary, probably half of that if not LA, then somewhere else.
Talbot is starting to get some attention. But it’s an expiring contract. So it’s much more appetizing. Allen got that two-year extension next season. I don’t know if that’s how they do it.