{"id":16603,"date":"2026-08-25T19:18:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T19:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=16603"},"modified":"2026-08-25T19:18:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T19:18:08","slug":"is-darcy-kuempers-nhl-future-becoming-los-angeles-kings-most-intriguing-question-before-opening-night-nhl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=16603","title":{"rendered":"Is Darcy Kuemper\u2019s NHL future becoming Los Angeles Kings\u2019 most intriguing question before opening night | NHL News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-133508569,imgsize-81852,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg\" alt=\"Is Darcy Kuemper\u2019s NHL future becoming Los Angeles Kings\u2019 most intriguing question before opening night\" title=\"Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper skates to the corner during a stoppage in play during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Darryl Dyck\/The Canadian Press via AP)\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Ta7d_ img_cptn\"><span title=\"Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper skates to the corner during a stoppage in play during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Darryl Dyck\/The Canadian Press via AP)\">Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper skates to the corner during a stoppage in play during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Darryl Dyck\/The Canadian Press via AP)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Los Angeles Kings are entering the 2026-27 NHL season with a question mark at the goaltending position. Darcy Kuemper was the obvious No. 1, but his play dipped in 2025-26 after an injury, and Anton Forsberg played better down the stretch and took the playoff crease.<!-- --> According to the Kings\u2019 own training-camp preview, both veterans could be in the mix for the job, with Erik Portillo possibly in the NHL picture as well.There\u2019s also been some NHL trade speculation surrounding Kuemper. He was mentioned in a recent report as a possible trade candidate, but there\u2019s no indication that Los Angeles Kings general manager Ken Holland is actively shopping him. Kuemper supposedly wants to stay in Los Angeles and fight for his starting spot.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"5\"\/><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"7\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2><b>Could Darcy Kuemper\u2019s future reshape Los Angeles Kings\u2019 NHL plans?<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>Darcy Kuemper\u2019s future could depend on his ability to regain the starting job for the Los Angeles Kings.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"10\"\/>Kuemper came into 2025-26 off a stellar season in which he posted a 31-11-7 record with a 2.02 goals-against average and .921 save percentage. His numbers dipped considerably in 2025-26, when he posted a 19-14-15 mark, 2.78 GAA and.891 save percentage.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"12\"\/>Anton Forsberg offers the Los Angeles Kings a real option in net. Forsberg had a 16-12-5 record, a 2.57 goals-against average and a.909 save percentage in 36 regular-season games. He then started all four playoff games against the Colorado Avalanche, adding to his case for a bigger role in 2026-27.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"16\"\/>That just makes training camp all the more important. The Kings recognise that Forsberg might seek more starts, and Kuemper is eager to regain his form. The organization could even start the season with Kuemper and Forsberg, plus Erik Portillo, all on the NHL roster.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"19\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h3><b>Could Darcy Kuemper trade rumors become more serious?<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>The ongoing Darcy Kuemper trade rumours are still speculation and not confirmed trade discussions.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"22\"\/>The Hockey News listed Kuemper as a trade candidate if his role is reduced, but that doesn\u2019t mean Ken Holland is looking to make a deal. Kuemper wanting to remain with the Los Angeles Kings adds a whole other level to the situation.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"25\"\/>For now, the most obvious storyline is competition. If Kuemper makes the save, the Kings have little reason to move him. <!-- -->But if Forsberg makes himself the guy, the Kings could have a more difficult roster and salary decision to make.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"29\"\/>Kuemper will have to show more than improved stats in training camp. He needs to show that his movement, rebounding and consistency have returned after last season\u2019s struggles.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"31\"\/>If he posts strong numbers in the preseason, it would go a long way toward reassuring the Kings\u2019 coaching staff and his teammates that he can still handle a starter\u2019s workload.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"33\"\/>The immediate answer should not be trade speculation, but training camp and the opening weeks of the NHL season.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/sports\/nhl\/news\/is-darcy-kuempers-nhl-future-becoming-los-angeles-kings-most-intriguing-question-before-opening-night\/articleshow\/133508520.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper skates to the corner during a stoppage in play during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Darryl Dyck\/The Canadian Press via AP) The Los Angeles Kings are entering the 2026-27 NHL season with a question mark [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16604,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper skates to the corner during a stoppage in play during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Darryl Dyck\/The Canadian Press via AP) The Los Angeles Kings are entering the 2026-27 NHL season with a question mark [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":2,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":3,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg",400,225,false],"medium":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg",300,169,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kings-canucks-hockey.jpg",150,84,false]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/author\/admin"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"#\" class=\"category-link category-link-31\">\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36<\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16603","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16603"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16603\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16604"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16603"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16603"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}