Los Angeles Kings netminder Pheonix Copley turned his call-up into a one-year extension after posting 15 wins and 20 games so far this season.
The Los Angeles Kings extended their third-string goalie turned starter Pheonix Copley for one more year.
Copley’s one-year contract extension is worth $1.5 million. The Kings called up the 31-year-old on Dec. 1, and he started in a 5-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 6.
Since his call-up, Copley’s gone 15-3-1 with a 2.92 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage over 20 games. While the GAA and save percentage aren’t the prettiest, they are the best on the team. Longtime Kings No. 1 Jonathan Quick has a 3.41 GAA and .881 SP, and he hasn’t won a game since Dec. 1.
And Cal Petersen – the goaltender Copley replaced in L.A. – was sent to the AHL’s Ontario Reign after posting a 3.75 GAA and .868 SP.
Copley hasn’t played this many NHL games in a season since 2018-19, when he suited up for 27 games with the Washington Capitals as the backup to Braden Holtby.
Needless to say, 15 wins in 20 games is a respectable number for any goaltender. And in those wins, his 2.22 GAA and .921 SP is well done. It’s his four losses where he allowed at least four goals each time, and he was pulled on Jan. 21 against the Nashville Predators after allowing two goals on three shots.
The North Pole, Ala. native joins Petersen as the Kings’ two goalies under contract for next season. Petersen has two more seasons after this year with a cap hit of $5 million and a 10-team no-trade list.
At this point, extending Copley for one more year is a safe move. The team has found ways to win in front of him, and he’s held his ground better than Quick or Petersen this season. If he improves next year, it’s a bargain for the team. If he falters, the team isn’t stuck with a pricey long-term contract, and they can explore the market for another netminder if desired.
Copley is the stable choice in net while the team figures out what to do with Quick and Petersen. There’s still a chance the Kings head to the trade market to acquire another goalie before the March 3 trade deadline or during the off-season as well.
It’s a nice achievement for Copley after he started the year in the AHL, as he ends up signing an extension that will bring him the highest cap hit of his career.