Matt Larkin and Steven Ellis discuss the Los Angeles Kings goaltending controversy and if general manager Rob Blake shops for a new goalie at the upcoming trade deadline.
Matt Larkin: Speaking of mediocre Steven, which I don’t even think can describe the Los Angeles Kings goaltending at the moment. Pheonix Copley had a bit of a surge over the last month, and he allowed five goals in a defeat last night to the Carolina Hurricanes, and he’s turning back into a pumpkin. That save percentage is down to .897, Jonathan Quick sits at .881, and Cal Peterson was demoted to the AHL with a .868 save percentage. So, I’m asking you, Steven, for a team that’s tied at the top of the Pacific Division, is it time for general manager Rob Blake to shop for a goaltender?
Steven Ellis: Absolutely. When Copley got signed he wasn’t even the main focus of the press release that went out so you can see how low that really was. He was great in the AHL the last couple of years and the fact he has a 15-3-1 record is great but obviously you go there and look at the stats he’s allowing a lot more goals than he should be. When it comes to that, they have to go out and look for someone. I’m not sure who the answer is for that as it doesn’t seem like a super strong goalie market. This is one where they really banked on Cal Peterson to be the guy for the long run and you expected Jonathan Quick to begin to fall off but you don’t expect your third goalie to come out and be the best goalie. When that’s the situation, it’s good if you’re winning games but if you’re allowing a lot of goals over that time then it’s a little concerning. I think they need to do something, I’m not sure who that is but this is something where you can’t rely on someone who they have right now.
Matt Larkin: Well the good news is Steven, I have some ideas, I’m here to help. I think you need to be very aggressive if you’re Rob Blake. You’re still at the top battling for the top of the Division even without four of your top-9 forwards out with injuries and that’s; Gabe Vilardi, Trevor Moore, Arthur Kaliyev and Carl Grundstrom. So the fact you’re still in there is a testament to how good this team is and can be. They are sixth in goals against per-60, which shows they’re a good defensive team and they are 30th in save percentage so if the goaltending was even average right now they’d be running away with this Pacific Division. If you’re looking at quick stop-gap assets I think James Reimer is an easy move, that’s one he and his family can do as they’re already in California, another I think of is Cam Talbot in terms of rental goaltenders. But, maybe you have to swing bigger than that and we’ve already heard it reported this week Thatcher Demko has gained interest, that’s a California boy who has three years left at $5 million and there are whispers he doesn’t love playing in the pressure of the Vancouver marker. Having met Demko a few times, I can tell you he’s a very laid-back guy and reminds me of The Big Lebowski, Jeff Lebowski, he’s got that California aura man. I think in terms of personality the Kings are a great fit for him and it would be a great place for him to get his head on straight. If he’s healthy, and he’s expected to be back well before the trade deadline, that could be a difference maker not just this season, but for years to come for the LA Kings. They have a great farm system, and assets available and they could easily put together a package that gets you, Thatcher Demko if the Canucks are selling off more pieces.
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