Cross-sports references are always a fun and valuable tool for even the most weathered and educated fan. An 'ace' in baseball is a pitcher who can dominate the opposing team, and steal wins if the team's offense is lackluster.
The Kings are currently without that. When both are healthy, Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich rank in the bottom section of the league's netminders in overall statistics. This shouldn't be an alarming notice for management. It's not that the Kings didn't know what they were doing; this was a calculated risk taken post-Jonathan Quick.
Offensively, the Kings are good enough five on five (57 goals scored—12th overall) and are 15th in scoring overall (83 goals scored) to pair with their stout defense to win games (70 goals allowed—3rd overall). That formula puts them on the winning side of hockey to start the year.
The LA system is universally recognized as being goalie-friendly. Cam Talbot was rejuvenated last season, posting some of his best metrics since his days in Edmonton and Minnesota. So far this season, it's difficult to tell if the same effect has taken hold on Kuemper.
As mentioned, Kuemper is now in a much friendlier system, and while his numbers have improved since Washington, they are still cause for concern. In 33 games for Washington, per Moneypuck.com, his Goals Saved Above Expected was -4.8. Eleven games in for Los Angeles, and the same stat is -1.5. The more interesting stat is his Save Percentage Above Expected, which is the same as in Washington last season, -.002.
Kuemper's wins above replacement have slightly improved (-.80 to -.26). His save percentage on low danger unblocked shot percentage is identical to last season in Washington (.962), and his medium has improved (.884 compared to .845). In contrast, his hanger danger has worsened (.771 last year, .760 this season).
To be fair, Kuemper has been injured twice this season, which has contributed to some of his statistics. His deployment should be monitored moving forward.
For Kuemper, it's not as if his backup should be the clear-cut starter over him as it developed during his time in Washington. Rittich has held down the fort admirably, but he will not suddenly become your go-to number one in this career stage. Despite having the edge in the number of games played due to Kuemper's injury, Rittich's analytics are worse.
Rittich has a lower save percentage in lower, medium, and high-danger unblocked shot attempts, with the latter being significantly weaker (.717 to .621). The Kings have successfully played with fire up until this point, but the season will only get more challenging.
It is entirely possible to win games with budget goaltending – perhaps even a Stanley Cup. The thing is, Kuemper is not a budget goaltender; he will make $5.25AAV until 2027. The Kings' goaltending looked good last season, as they got an exceptional return for Talbot, even if they were trounced in the first round.
The Kings are potentially in their most awkward situation regarding their goaltending since Quick's downfall and Cal Peterson's exile. Their winning record is a testament to their overall team game, as it has disguised the lukewarm play of their netminders. It would be unwise to believe their current formula for winning games, even with Drew Doughty back in the fold, beckons long-term success.
There is plenty of tarmac left in the season to turn Kuemper's play around, but based on the sample given, the gamble of jettisoning Pierre Luc Dubois for Kuemper may end up burning them in the long run.