There is a problem with the future of the Los Angeles Kings' goaltender situation on the horizon this summer. The Kings saw goalie Anton Forsberg rise to the occasion, performing in net in the Pacific Division down the stretch this past regular season in clutch time this past spring.
Entering the 2026-27 season, the Kings will have three goalies under contract on the cap sheet, including Darcy Kuemper, Erik Portillo, and the aforementioned goalie Forsberg.
If the Kings want to keep all three goalies in the preseason and training camp for the team this upcoming fall in 2026, then you would assume that one would have to get sent through waivers at some point.
Trading Erik Portillo would make little sense for the Kings, given his affordable contract and long-term upside. Portillo remains an affordable long-term option.
While trading Forsberg could free up some cap space in the roster lineup in goal for the Kings and Holland, I don't think that's the right move to make either for the team this upcoming season in the summer.
Kuemper won the Vezina Trophy for the Kings this past year in 2025 and he was the leader in the Pacific Division in shutouts and save percentage and goals against average. Kuemper represented Team Canada in the Winter Olympics this year in 2026.
Forsberg also played an important role for the Kings down the stretch, delivering several strong performances late in the regular season and during the team’s postseason push.
Portillo has continued showing signs of growth since returning from the upper-body injury he suffered last season with the Ontario Reign.
And it's not just Portillo either. The situation becomes even more complicated when factoring in goalie prospect Carter George, who may possess the highest long-term upside of any young goaltender in the organization.
While George is likely still further away from the NHL level than Portillo, his continued development could eventually force the Kings to make difficult long-term decisions regarding the future of the position.
I think the best move for the Kings is to have some combination of Portillo, Forsberg, and maybe another prospect like George available in the crease under contract this upcoming season.
Kuemper remains one of the better veteran goaltenders in the Western Conference, but the Kings may eventually need to decide whether keeping him aligns with the organization’s long-term timeline in goal. Moving Kuemper would create additional cap flexibility while also opening the door for younger goaltenders such as Erik Portillo and Carter George to assume larger roles in the future.
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