The Los Angeles Kings have acquired forward Tobias Rieder and goaltender Scott Wedgewood from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for goalie Darcy Kuemper.
For the Kings, they get some depth scoring in Rieder, who\’s an upcoming RFA at age 25. He\’s scored double digit goals every year in his career, and currently is sitting on eight. He\’ll probably achieve it in L.A. Wedgewood is a downgrade from Kuemper, but with Jonathan Quick starting, it doesn\’t matter too much.
Rieder, 25, has scored eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 58 games for the Coyotes this year. In his NHL career, all for the desert dogs, Rieder has scored 51 goals and 60 assists for 111 points in 292 games.
Wedgewood, also 25, has a .893 SV% and a GAA of 3.45 in 20 games for the Coyotes this year. In his NHL career for the Coyotes and New Jersey Devils, Wedgewood has a SV% of .903, and a 3.05 GAA in 24 games.
For the Coyotes, I don\’t really get this trade that much. They are giving up some talent in Rieder, for a goalie upgrade. Kuemper was a pending free agency, but this is one of those sign and trades, as Kuemper also agreed shortly after to sign a two year, $1.85 million deal. Kuemper will back-up Antti Raanta for the rest of the year, and if Raanta signs an extension, next year. Kuemper could start in 2018-19 if Raanta walks, and the Coyotes can\’t find a better goalie
Kuemper, 27, has a GAA of 2.10, and a .932 SV% in 19 games for the Kings this year. In his NHL career for the Kings and Minnesota Wild, Kuemper has a 2.52 GAA and a SV% of .913 in 121 games.
I think the Kings win this trade. They get a good forward and an okay backup for a good backup, but one who was going to walk as a UFA vs a goalie who\’s a pending RFA.
CarterHud 