The Los Angeles Kings this offseason were in need of a new goalie after Cam Talbot signed with the Detroit Red Wings in free agency. They would end up trading with the Washington Capitals for Darcy Kuemper, who did win a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche a few seasons ago but as of late has struggled a bit.
It was a bit of a rocky start for Kuemper as he would end up on injured reserve twice in the beginning part of the season but since returning in the middle of December, he has been one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. If he continues at this level, he will absolutely earn some votes for the Vezina Trophy.
This season, Kuemper is 15-6-6 with two shutouts and has a goals against average of 2.16 and a save percentage of .921. Among goalies with 25 games played, he ranks third in goals against average and save percentage, behind only Connor Hellebuyck and Logan Thompson.
While the Kings as a team struggled in January, Kuemper was playing some of his best hockey with a goals against average of only 1.72 and a save percentage of .938.
Will Darcy Kuemper end up winning the Vezina Trophy?
If Kuemper continues to play as he did in January through the remainder of the season, he certainly will be in the discussion. However, it feels like Connor Hellebuyck already has the award locked up with how he has played this season.
The Winnipeg Jets' goalie is 33-7-2, seven more wins than the next closest goaltender, a goals against average of 2.04 and a save percentage of .925. He certainly has had to put the work in as he has faced the most shots of any goaltender this season and still leads the league in shutouts with six.
While Hellebuyck looks like the runaway favorite, there is no question that Darcy Kuemper has been one of the best goalies in the NHL and will be a big part of the Kings' success for the remainder of the season.