The Los Angeles Kings may not be lighting up the scoreboard this season, but they are quietly building their case with some of the best goaltending in the league. While their offense has sputtered - ranking 28th in goals per game - their defensive structure and netminding have kept them in the playoff hunt. And with a young goalie prospect heating up in the OHL, there’s a fascinating decision looming for the Kings’ front office.
Kings' Goaltending: Quietly Elite
Let’s start with what’s working. Entering Monday, the Kings sat fourth in the NHL in goals against per game (2.74), tied for eighth in save percentage (.904), and ranked third in total goals allowed (137).
They’ve also done a solid job limiting opportunities, facing the ninth-fewest shots in the league (1,356). In short, they’re playing disciplined, structured hockey - and it’s paying off in their own end.
Veterans Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg have anchored that effort. Kuemper, back in L.A. for his first full season since returning, owns a .902 save percentage.
Forsberg has been slightly sharper at .907. Neither is putting up Vezina-caliber numbers, but both are giving the Kings a chance to win on most nights - and that’s all you can ask when goals are hard to come by.
The Kings find themselves in a tight three-way race with the Sharks and Kraken for the final Western Conference playoff spot. And while their offense remains a concern, their defensive play and goaltending are giving them a real shot.
Carter George: The Next in Line?
Behind Kuemper and Forsberg, the Kings might already have their next big thing in net.
Carter George, the 2024 second-round pick, has been turning heads across multiple levels this season. He’s split time between the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the AHL’s Ontario Reign, and Canada’s World Junior squad. While his numbers at the World Juniors weren’t eye-popping - over three goals allowed per game and a .869 save percentage - his body of work in junior hockey tells a more promising story.
In two seasons with the Owen Sound Attack, George posted a 57-55-17 record with a .910 save percentage and a 3.05 goals-against average. Solid numbers, especially considering the workload he faced.
But since his trade to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, George has taken his game to another level.
In five starts with the Greyhounds, he’s undefeated, allowing just one goal per game on average and posting two shutouts - including a 3-0 blanking of the North Bay Battalion. His play has powered Sault Ste. Marie to an eight-game winning streak and vaulted them into fourth place in the OHL’s Western Conference, just six points back of the top spot.
A Roster Crunch Coming in Net
So where does that leave the Kings moving forward?
Both Kuemper and Forsberg are eligible for contract extensions this offseason and will become unrestricted free agents in 2027. Kuemper carries a $5.25 million cap hit with a no-movement clause, while Forsberg comes in at a more manageable $2.25 million. Based on recent performance, both goalies could make a case for a raise - especially Kuemper, who posted a .922 save percentage and a 31-11-7 record in his first full season back in L.A.
But the Kings will have to be strategic. After this season, they’ll have about $62.5 million in cap space for the 2027-28 season.
That number is helped by the expected retirement of Anze Kopitar, whose $7 million cap hit will come off the books. Only two players on the roster are projected to carry cap hits north of $7 million after 2026-27.
Still, Los Angeles can’t afford to hand out two big-money, multi-year extensions in net. Kuemper is 35, Forsberg is 33 - and both are likely looking at short-term deals. A one- or two-year extension for each seems most realistic, especially if the Kings want to keep their financial flexibility intact.
Enter Carter George
That’s where Carter George comes into play. The Kings could opt to carry three goalies next season - a move that makes sense both financially and competitively. George’s cap hit is just $846,000 for the next few years, and with nearly $28 million in projected cap space for 2026-27, they have room to make it work.
Beyond the numbers, George brings a different dimension to the crease. He’s confident with the puck, capable of pushing the pace with crisp outlet passes, and isn’t afraid to play the puck under pressure. For a team that needs a jolt offensively, having a goaltender who can help transition the puck quickly could be a valuable asset.
Of course, George still has to finish strong this season. He’s already got a World Junior bronze medal and is leading a red-hot Greyhounds team into what could be a deep playoff run. If he keeps this up, a full-time NHL role in 2026-27 isn’t just a possibility - it might be the logical next step.
Looking Ahead
The Kings are at a crossroads in net. Kuemper and Forsberg have been steady, reliable, and deserving of new contracts. But Carter George is knocking on the door, and his development couldn’t be coming at a better time for a team that needs to balance immediate competitiveness with long-term planning.
If George continues to build on his recent surge, don’t be surprised if he’s wearing a Kings sweater come opening night next season. The kid looks ready - and the Kings might be ready for him, too.