On a day where the Los Angeles area is looking more at one of their baseball teams than their hockey clubs, the Kings are trying to carve out a piece of the news. The team has signed free agent goaltender Cole Kehler to a three-year, entry-level contract. Kehler is currently playing for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL, where he has a .931 save percentage through 22 games.
The soon-to-be 20-year old Kehler went undrafted in the NHL Entry Draft, but has turned a corner in his play this season in the WHL. Possessing the size—Kehler stands 6’3″—and positional awareness, he’s improved his flexibility to the point where he looks like a legitimate professional goaltending prospect.
While the NHL is still a distant goal for the young netminder, signing an entry-level contract at least means he’ll get to take the next step after he finishes his junior career this year. Where that will be isn’t clear, as the Kings already have Jack Campbell and Cal Petersen dominating at the AHL level. All three have been added in the past year and a half, turning what was once a weak spot in the organization to a strength. Even as Jonathan Quick continues to play well in the NHL, the Kings are building a pipeline of talent behind him.
With how good Keumper has been (pricing him out of their range) one of these guys will be their backup next year.