LA Kings: Who benefits more from the Kings-Coyotes trade?

The LA Kings and Arizona Coyotes made their first trade before the NHL trade deadline on February 26th.

The LA Kings traded their backup goaltender Darcy Kuemper for the Coyotes backup Scott Wedgewood and winger Tobias Rieder. This trade on paper does not seem like an impactful one for each team, but I am here to tell you that it is. In fact, it will be more beneficial for one team than the other.

What the LA Kings receive

First of all, let’s look at it from the Kings perspective. They get a backup goaltender in Wedgewood who will either be Jonathan Quick’s understudy, sent to the Ontario Reign, or put on waivers. His statistics are not really particularly good (5-9-4) with a 3.45 goals against average and save percentage of .893.

This can primarily be attributed due to the team in front of him not being good on the back end, and also not good enough positioning when taking shots. Assuming he makes a couple of starts to spell Jonathan Quick, Wedgewood’s stats should improve. However, the real value of this trade lies in the teammate who was traded with him.

That bring us to Tobias Rieder.

In receiving Rieder from the Coyotes, the Kings get good depth on the winger side. Rieder has been a fan favorite of the Coyotes, but he clearly needed a fresh start. He had a career high 16 goals last season, but his play has certainly dropped off as he has only 8 goals this season through 58 games.

Rieder will be a good addition to the 3rd or 4th line particularly as a scoring winger, but could also be a healthy scratch at times. He is a pending RFA with a $2.25 million cap million per Capfriendly. The Coyotes will be picking up 15% of his salary in the deal.

If Rieder can provide the Kings with some depth scoring, this trade will reflect well on them.

On the other hand, looking at the Coyotes perspective, they receive goalie Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper has been great for the Kings as Jonathan Quick’s backup as he sported a 10-1-3 record with a 2.10 goals against average and outstanding .932 save percentage.

What the Arizona Coyotes receive

Kuemper has been strong in net this season, and there is no doubt the Coyotes dealt for him as they saw that he could be a good goaltender for the future. Joining them will allow Kuemper to make more starts to showcase his abilities. Although his statistics may not be as good as they were with the Kings.

In pairing him up with former Rangers backup Antii Raanta, GM John Chakya may believe they could be a good 1-2 punch for the rebuilding Coyotes.

Trade results

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This brings us to the team who won this trade. I believe it is the Coyotes. Though the Kings did acquire a depth winger in Rieder, Wedgewood could easily be seen as a salary dump from the Coyotes. With rising young goaltender Jack Campbell from the AHL Reign ready to backup Jonathan Quick, Wedgewood will not be much of use to the Kings.

Rieder has been an okay player throughout his NHL career, but I don’t think he will provide the depth scoring the Kings will be hoping from him. His positioning is not the greatest, and he doesn’t take many shots which is why his goal totals are not high.

Kuemper will provide the Coyotes with great stability in the net. As we have seen this season, Antii Raanta has missed a couple of starts this season due to injury. Without a good backup or goaltender depth to help them in his absence, the Coyotes play has suffered which landed them in the basement in the Pacific Division.

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In gaining Kuemper from the LA Kings, the Coyotes get a goalie who will be looking to have more of an increased role on a rebuilding team. Kuemper will be looking to prove himself like he did with the Kings in limited duty, and possibly land a coveted full-time starting gig.

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