The Kings’ goaltending situation feels stable on the surface heading into 2025-26. But one injury could flip that confidence into concern.

Losing a reliable back-up goaltender in David Rittich in free agency to the New York Islanders, who had a 16-14 record as a goaltender with a .887 save percentage, and no real pick-up to address that can hurt a defense that was top 10 last season.

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Goaltending depth is not just a luxury in today’s NHL—it’s a necessity.

The grueling 82-game season oftentimes demands a team to have more than one solid netminder, and for the Kings, their alternatives behind their number-one man are solid but bring valid concerns.

Can Los Angeles rely on a minor-league recall if needed? Or would an injury bring the team to a halt before it even gains any traction?

The Starter: Reliable, but Vulnerable

As of early August, the Kings are expected to roll with Darcy Kuemper, who started 50 games last season, finishing with a 31-11 record.

The Kings can’t expect Kuemper to play all 82 grueling games next season at 35 years old. The key for the Kings is to have a young, fresher player with speed and length, who can serve as a solid backup to veteran Kuemper.

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The backup is expected to be Anton Forsberg, who signed a 2-year contract deal in the offseason and is a solid backup, but not one that you would pick for a team that’s looking to compete for a Stanley Cup title.

Again, Forsberg is a solid player, but losing key goaltenders in the past, including Rittich and Cam Talbot, was a big mistake for the Kings, and now this season they’re going to have to rely on a backup goaltender that’s been up and down through his career.

Other Backup options

Erik Portillo

A 6-foot-6 ex-Michigan standout, Portillo played well in Ontario last season, showing signs of being a genuine NHL prospect. However, the 24-year-old can’t be pushed into the ice, and putting him into the lineup in the middle of the season could be risky and rushed.

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Phoenix Copley 

The most proven option behind the starter is Pheonix Copley, who was a massive contributor for the Kings in the 2022-23 season.

He went 24-6-3 that season and steadied LA’s crease when it became tumultuous. Copley did, however, miss the majority of the 2024-25 season due to injury, and it’s questionable whether he can bounce back. If healthy, he’d be a solid backup option—but that “if’’ is a large one.

Comparing Around the League

Look at the leading contenders—any of Colorado, Florida, Edmonton, or Dallas—each of whom has at least a capable backup or prospect waiting in the wings to be called upon.

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The Kings, on the other hand, have a capable starter but a falling-off edge thereafter. If the franchise is to make a legitimate charge in 2025-26, this is the category that will be intriguing to see how the Kings handle, and how the backup depth will be addressed.

Should the Kings make any moves to add another goaltender in a trade that would be solid alongside Kuemper, if not, who should be the primary backup?