Cause for concern in Hollywood, as one of the Los Angeles Kings’ netminders was in distress on Friday.
During practice, Pheonix Copley was forced to leave early with an apparent injury. The undisclosed ailment was severe enough that the 31-year-old had to be helped off the ice by the team’s training staff.
The Kings are expected to release information soon, as they are scheduled to travel to Seattle later on Friday.
Copley has been playing second fiddle to the rejuvenated Cam Talbot with the Kings, having posted a 4-1-2 record in eight starts, with a 3.16 goals-against average and .870 save-percentage. He gave up four goals on 27 shots in a loss to the New York Rangers in his latest appearance this past Sunday.
The former Michigan Tech standout also has a shutout this season, posting an 18-save goose egg against the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 25.
Copley is under a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Kings, the biggest AAV of his career. It is an extension that he earned after a great 2022-23 campaign where he went 24-6-3, posting a 2.64 GAA and .903 SV%.
It was a huge bounce-back season for Copley, who had spent almost all of the three years prior with the Washington Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Hershey Bears, earning the Harry Holmes Memorial Award for best goaltending duo in 2020-21, alongside Zachary Fucale.
The Kings are set to meet with the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night. If Copley is unable to travel, David Rittich, currently with L.A.’s farm team, the Ontario Reign, is likely to be called up to join the Kings.
It has been another surprising year for the Kings (16-6-4), as they are currently third in the Pacific Division with 36 points, nine ahead of the fourth-placed Edmonton Oilers, and nine back of the Vegas Golden Knights for first place. They have the best road record in the NHL, heading to Seattle with an 11-1-1 record away from Los Angeles.
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