The Los Angeles Kings placed goaltender Darcy Kuemper on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, and recalled G Pheonix Copley from the AHL’s Ontario Reign in a corresponding move.
Kuemper suffered an injury early in the first period of the Kings’ 4-1 loss against the Dallas Stars on Monday. He was struck by a Mikko Rantanen elbow to the head in the crease, and lay on the ice receiving treatment for a few minutes before he was able to skate to the locker room under his own power.
Kings head coach Jim Hiller was not impressed with the play. “I saw a player come into the blue paint and run into our goaltender. That’s what I saw,” Hiller said to reporters after the loss.
There was no penalty called on the hit.
Kuemper has a record of 10-6-6 in 23 starts this season, with a goals-against average of 2.19 and a save percentage of .917.
His strong play has put him in the running for a spot on Canada’s roster at the upcoming Olympics in Milan in February, as noted by TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger on Early Trading on Tuesday.
“As for Kuemper, most definitely in the conversation for the trio of goaltenders that Canada will take to Italy,” Dreger said. “Along with [Washington Capitals G] Logan Thompson and [St. Louis Blues G] Jordan Binnington.”
Anton Forsberg, who has made nine starts this year, is expected take the lead in net for the Kings, and Copley will likely serve as the backup as the team competes in a tightly-contested Pacific Division.