The Los Angeles Kings have traded goaltender Darcy Kuemper to the Arizona Coyotes for winger Tobias Rieder and goaltender Scott Wedgewood.
Bob McKenzie: The Coyotes are retaining 15 percent of Rieder’s salary. He has a $2.225 million average annual value.
Bob McKenzie: The Coyotes signed a two-year contract extension with a salary cap hit of $1.85 million.
Lisa Dillman: Kings GM Rob Blake: “What I’ve been looking for is speed and scoring. He adds a much-needed element of speed on the left side.”
Craig Morgan: Kuemper is expected to join the Coyotes tomorrow morning for their morning skate.
Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: Coyotes GM John Chayka on Kuemper.
“Darcy is a big, talented goaltender who is having an excellent year,” general manager John Chayka said in a press release. “You need great goaltending in this league in order to be successful and with Antti and Darcy, we are confident that we have an excellent tandem for the future.”
Thoughts from the media …
Craig Morgan: “This trade is unrelated to the team’s hopes of re-signing starting goalie Antti Raanta. The Coyotes will still make every effort to get that done.”
Jon Rosen: ” and this is important to note, as well. Kuemper was basically giving the team points when he started. There is surely some inherent risk here. But, the #2’s starts will be limited the rest of the way. 4 back-to-backs remain; full speed ahead with 32 down the stretch.”
John Hoven: “Kings aren’t really sellers (no major assets / core players expected to leave)… They also aren’t really buyers (no big names coming in). They’re adjusting on the fly.”
E.J. Hradek: “I like the deal for the Kings. Didn’t give up much (their second goalie) to bolster their secondary scoring. Rieder can be a helpful addition”
Pierre LeBrun: “Kings two weeks ago set 2 goals for the trade deadline: look for a No. 4 D and a mid-level/scoring winger. Went out and got Dion Phaneuf last week and now Tobias Rieder”
John Shannon: “Kings trade for Tobias Rieder. They get faster. They get younger. Losing Kuemper won’t hurt team, they have been thrilled with both Campbell and Peterson in Ontario…don’t be surprised if one of them backs-up in LA…and not Wedgewood.”
