Goalie depth is an area of strength for general manager Ken Holland and the Los Angeles Kings going into the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Not only do the Kings have veteran goalies under contract at the NHL level, like Anton Forsberg and Darcy Kuemper, but they also have strong depth and promising talent at the position in the minor league and developmental system, including goalie prospect Carter George and Ontario Reign's Erik Portillo.
There are other needs in the roster lineup that the Kings and Holland must address this offseason in free agency and on the trade block. The Kings need to add a top-six proven center in the middle of the roster lineup this offseason, and adding more offensive production in the zone should be a higher priority than changing the goaltender situation this summer for the team.
Darcy Kuemper's recent struggles ignited trade discussions and rumors, but the Los Angeles Kings may be better off betting on a rebound season
Unless the Kings have a clear upgrade in mind at the goaltender position this offseason, trading Kuemper would be tackling an issue that doesn't exist.
The Kings do not need to trade Kuemper this offseason. In fact, I think there are strong arguments for keeping one of the most experienced goaltenders in the organization.
Kuemper has unfortunately been on a roller coaster ride in this past couple of seasons with the Kings in net. Despite the injuries and inconsistencies that Kuemper has fought through recently with the Kings, his overall track record with the team is pretty strong still. It wasn't all that long ago that he was leading the Kings to a 100-point regular season and was one of the best goalies in the league.
Bleacher Report has Kuemper at No. 16 on their updated NHL trade big board early in the 2026 offseason. He is the only Kings player listed on their updated list for the NHL trade board for the 2026 offseason.
That uncertainty presents a good argument and case as to why the Kings shouldn't move Kuemper this offseason on the trade block. Forsberg did play well down the stretch this past regular season for the Kings and in the postseason this spring, but he has never carried the workload of a full-time starting goalie over the course of multiple seasons.
Kuemper may generate some interest on the trade block this offseason, but that doesn't mean that the Kings and Holland must be eager to move him. Proven goalies with veteran experience in the league are hard to replace, and the Kings already have enough uncertainty elsewhere in the roster lineup this offseason.
Unless a significant offer arises for the Kings this offseason, keeping Kuemper and hoping for a bounce-back in the upcoming 2026-27 season looks to be the smarter path for Los Angeles to take.
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