The Los Angeles Kings have struggled as of late as they have lost three straight after a relatively strong February where they won five of the first six games. One of the issues has been goaltending as they have allowed 13 goals in the past three games.
Two of those three games David Rittich was in net where the Kings lost to the Canucks by a final score of 3-2 in overtime and recently lost 4-1 to the St. Louis Blues. Over the course of a season, there are going to be ups and downs, but for Rittich, he has struggled since the beginning of January and has gone 1-4-2. When looking even further back than that, it doesn't get much better as in his past 10 starts has gone 2-6-2.
The NHL Trade Deadline is quickly approaching with the deadline being on Friday afternoon. The good news is that the Kings still have time to upgrade the backup goalie position if they choose to do that. However, the options are limited among potentially available goalies, and it becomes even more challenging when looking for a backup. There is one option, though, that the Kings could consider and it is a player they know well.
Los Angeles Kings should call the New York Rangers about Jonathan Quick
Three seasons ago, the Kings would trade arguably the greatest player to ever mind the net for the franchise in Jonathan Quick. It was part of a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets that would bring Vladislav Gavrikov to Los Angeles. He wouldn't last very long in Columbus as they sent him to Las Vegas in a season he would go on to win another Stanley Cup.
The past two seasons he has been with New York Rangers but with the Rangers struggling and Quick getting towards the end of his career, it may make sense to moving him to a team that would give him a better chance to win one final Stanley Cup.
The Kings may not be considered a favorite but they certainly have the talent to make a run if they can make a few improvements to the roster. One of those is backup goalie and Quick would definitely be an upgrade here.
This season, Quick has gone 8-5-2 with a save percentage of .897 and a goals against average of 3.09. However, Quick hasn't had the best team in front of him and that could have contributed to a year over year decrease in those numbers.
Even with the decrease, the addition of Quick would be great for the Los Angeles Kings as they add a veteran goaltender who has playoff experience. He is also comfortable at this point of his career to be a backup, as he recently said on NHL on TNT.
Typically trades for goalies at the NHL Trade Deadline are backups who can step in as a starter. The Los Angeles Kings don't necessarily need that but they need help at the position and Jonathan Quick is the perfect trade target to help this team.