If you’ve been closely watching the Los Angeles Kings this season, you already know the writing is on the wall. Despite the NHL salary cap rising to an impressive $104 million for the 2026-27 season, the Kings’ front office is feeling the squeeze. Ownership isn’t expected to spend right to the ceiling, forcing management into a corner.
The emergence of Anton Forsberg, who officially supplanted Darcy Kuemper as the starting goaltender during this year’s playoffs, has ignited one of the offseason’s most pressing questions: Will the Los Angeles Kings trade Darcy Kuemper?
The short answer is yes, they almost have to. Clearing Kuemper’s $5.25 million cap hit for the final year of his contract is the most logical path for LA to address their glaring roster holes. With rising star defenseman Brandt Clarke needing a lucrative new restricted free-agent deal, Scott Laughton hitting UFA status, and the urgent search for a legitimate second-line center underway, moving Kuemper isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. Let’s dive into why this trade makes sense, the hurdles LA faces, and which NHL teams are desperate enough to make a deal.
Why Moving Darcy Kuemper is the Key to the Kings’ Offseason Strategy
Scott Coffman of the Mayor’s Manor recently highlighted this exact salary cap crunch, and as an analyst, it’s hard to disagree. The modern NHL is built down the middle, and right now, the Kings desperately need a bona fide second-line center to remain competitive in a punishing Pacific Division. You can’t acquire top-six talent without cap space, and tying up over $5 million in a backup goaltender is roster malpractice.
The Kings are uniquely positioned to make this move because they have depth in the crease. Anton Forsberg proved he can handle the pressure of the postseason, and top prospect Erik Portillo is waiting in the wings, giving LA three goaltenders currently under NHL contracts.
However, trading Darcy Kuemper won’t be a walk in the park. My biggest concern is his inconsistency over the past couple of seasons, which has undoubtedly cooled his trade market value. Add in the fact that Kuemper wields a 10-team no-trade list, and Kings General Manager Ken Holland will have to navigate carefully to find a suitor.
Potential Suitors: Edmonton, Florida, and New Jersey
Despite Kuemper’s recent dips in form, the goalie market this summer is incredibly thin. Supply and demand dictate that teams desperate for a veteran presence in the crease will have to make a call to Los Angeles.
Teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, and New Jersey Devils are prime candidates. All three organizations have Stanley Cup aspirations but suffered due to unreliable goaltending depth. A veteran like Kuemper could be the perfect 1B option or reclamation project for a contender looking to solidify their backend. Specifically, for a team like Edmonton, stabilizing the net is the only way to maximize their superstar talent’s prime years.
If the Los Angeles Kings can find a taker for Kuemper, even if they have to retain a small fraction of his salary or attach a mid-round pick, it will be the domino that allows them to secure Brandt Clarke’s future and retool their offense.
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