The Los Angeles Kings have decided to bring back goaltender Pheonix Copley to the organization on Wednesday. They acquired the native of North Pole, Alaska in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning. In return, the Lightning receive cash considerations.
Why was the trade made?
The reason for the decision is because of a recent injury to Kings’s number one goaltender Darcy Kuemper of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and the fact that the Kings need some insurance behind the original backup (and temporary number one goalie) Anton Forsberg, who was acquired in the offseason by the Kings in free agency. The fact that Copley has NHL experience probably made him appealing to Kings’s general manager Ken Holland.
How did Kuemper get hurt?
Kuemper has a lower-body injury according to Andre Leal of The Hockey News. At this time it appears he is not going to be out long as he is listed as day-t0-day. So far this season, Kuemper has not been impressive in between the Kings pipes. He has a record of zero wins, two regulation losses and one loss in extra time, with a goals against average of 3.35 and a save percentage of .868.
Who has Copley played for in the past?
Copley played three seasons with the Kings from 2022 to 2025. He was not in Tampa Bay long as he was selected off waivers by the Lightning on October 2, and then traded back to the Kings 13 days later without playing a single game with the Bolts. In addition to playing 43 games with the Kings, Copley played two seasons each with the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals.
Copley’s career NHL statistics
In 77 games, Copley had and impressive record of 44 wins and 16 regulation losses with a goals against average of 2.84 and a save percentage of ,898 with three shutouts. Copley had the fortune of playing in a defensive minded structure in Los Angeles, and had great success during the 2022-23 NHL season. That year he had a record of 24-6-3, with a goals against average of 2.64, save percentage of .903 and one shutout.
Trade Grade
Copley has been rather effective in his NHL career in limited chances and opportunities. The Kings do deserve a grade of B here, while the Lightning get a C- grade because you never know what you will get with future considerations and they simply did not give Copley a chance. One might think that Kuemper’s injury may be more serious than just day-to-day.
