As the Stanley Cup Final approaches, the offseason buzz around the NHL intensifies, with the Los Angeles Kings making headlines regarding their goaltending situation.
The Kings, a robust team in the Western Conference, boast a mix of youth and veteran presence. Led by captain Anze Kopitar and defenseman Drew Doughty, the team is strong defensively and capable of scoring goals. However, a notable weakness has been their goaltending. Moving on from two-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Quick was logical, but his replacements were only short-term solutions. To capitalize on their contending window, the Kings need a more reliable goaltending option.
Cam Talbot and David Rittich performed well for the Kings this season, contributing to the team’s fourth-best save percentage (.909) and both ranking in the top 15 for goals saved above expected. Despite their solid performance, both goalies are pending free agents and may test the market, prompting the Kings to seek a longer-term solution.
The latest rumors link the Kings to Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins. With the Bruins potentially shifting their focus to Jeremy Swayman, Ullmark has become a popular trade target. Acquiring Ullmark would be a significant upgrade for the Kings, providing immediate stability and potentially extending their competitive window. Ullmark has one year remaining on his contract, with a $5 million salary for the upcoming season.
Ullmark’s recent performance has been impressive. He finished the 2023-24 season with a 2.57 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage, ranking seventh in goals saved above expected (14.7). His stellar play earned him the Vezina Trophy in the 2022-23 season. Given his proven track record, Ullmark could be the key to the Kings advancing further in the postseason.
As the offseason looms, the Kings’ pursuit of Ullmark will be a storyline to watch, potentially providing the goaltending upgrade they need to become serious Stanley Cup contenders.
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