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LA Kings Need a Goalie: Here’s Our Wishlist of Potential Targets

By Cameron Franck

Apr 23, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) takes the ice before the second period against the Edmonton Oilers in game four of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) takes the ice before the second period against the Edmonton Oilers in game four of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Joonas Korpisalo – Unrestricted Free Agent

Let’s start with the most available goalie and the most familiar goalie with the LA Kings organization. There will definitely be some cap gymnastics that would have to happen if he were to re-sign in LA, but it wouldn’t be impossible. For example, trading players away like Sean Walker and/or Sean Durzi, while also letting Alex Edler walk in free agency.

Ideally, you would probably want a team to offer sheet Zack MacEwan and then not match it because his salary, albeit $925,000, is not really needed on this roster. If Rob Blake were to move one of those two players, then the Kings could potentially find some cap room to sign Joonas Korpisalo, whose salary would range between $2 million dollars and $4 million dollars, most likely.

As a King, he performed very well. His production improved from his time as a Blue Jacket and ultimately earned his role as the primary starter in the Kings’ first round against the Edmonton Oilers. In 11 games with the Kings, he recorded a 2.13 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage, which was an improvement on his time in Columbus when he had a 3.17 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage in 28 games.

Also, he started in all six of LA’s playoff games. But, due to the fact that he saw Connor McDavid and primarily Leon Draisaitl in each contest, his save percentage dropped to .892 with a 3.77 goals-against average.

With the only NHL option under contract right now being Pheonix Copley, I would say re-signing Joonas Korpisalo would be worth it at this point.

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