With the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs getting underway this weekend, the LA Kings have added veteran goaltender Pheonix Copley to their roster.
From a cap perspective, this isn’t an issue, as the team has plenty of space. This will be the first season where all NHL clubs are required to be cap compliant. This was part of the new CBA agreement. Even though the majority of items changing don’t kick in until the end of June, the playoff cap was something general managers wanted in place beginning now.
Copley, 34 years old, is no stranger to the Kings. He’s been up with the big club each of the past four seasons, including one game earlier this year against Seattle. Copley also started one playoff game against Edmonton in 2023.
This season, he put together a 21-11-1 record with AHL Ontario, holding a .901 save percentage. Along with partner Erik Portillo, they helped guide the Reign to a Pacific Division title for the first time in a decade.
Anton Forsberg and Darcy Kuemper are expected to be the Kings’ primary goaltenders in their first-round series with the Avalanche. This transaction is seen as more of a precautionary move.
LA’s full Round 1 schedule can be found in the article below.
Could there be more roster news on the way soon?
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