ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes sign new goalie Darcy Kuemper to two-year extension

Feb 22, 2018, 10:58 AM | Updated: 11:00 am

Carolina Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho (20), of Finland, shoots and scores against Los Angeles Kings go...

Carolina Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho (20), of Finland, shoots and scores against Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper (35) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Carolina won 7-3 (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

The Arizona Coyotes and Darcy Kuemper agreed to a two-year contract extension Thursday, a day after the team traded for the former Los Angeles Kings goalie.

“I’m thrilled to sign this contract extension with the Coyotes,” Kuemper said in a team release. “The Coyotes have a young and talented team and a very bright future ahead. I’m excited to be a part of it and can’t wait to contribute.”

The Coyotes acquired Kuemper in a Wednesday deal that sent forward Tobias Rieder and backup goalie Scott Wedgewood to Los Angeles.

Kuemper would become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, but the Coyotes made the deal already looking to work out an extension, reported Arizona Sports’ Craig Morgan, who added that the contract was expected to carry an average annual value of $1.85 million.

The trade for Kuemper was unrelated to the Coyotes’ desire to re-sign starting goalie Antti Raanta, general manager John Chayka said Wednesday.

“You need two goalies to win in this league,” Chayka added in a statement.

“Antti (Raanta) is one and now we feel confident that we’ve got the second one in Darcy. We are very happy with our depth at the position in the NHL and AHL.”

Kuemper has gone 10-1-3 with a .932 save percentage and three shutouts in 19 appearances for Los Angeles this season.

He has a record of 51-35-17 with a .913 save percentage and 2.52 goals against average in his career.

Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller...

Associated Press

Clayton Keller becomes 2nd Coyotes player with 400 points in win over Devils

Karel Vejmelka stopped 37 shots and the Arizona Coyotes beat the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

2 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Logan Cooley, right, is greeted by defenseman Travis Dermott (33) after scor...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes beat struggling Detroit Red Wings again

Logan Cooley had a short-handed goal in the first period, Michael Carcone broke a tie in the second and the Coyotes beat the Red Wings 4-1.

4 days ago

Arizona Coyotes CEO and president Xavier Gutierrez...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes cleared to bid on north Phoenix land for new arena

The Arizona Coyotes have the green light to bid on a tract of land in north Phoenix in their yearslong bid to build a new arena.

4 days ago

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Josh Brown, left, and Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi (23) compete for...

Associated Press

Penalty kill falters again, Coyotes lose to the Minnesota Wild

Nick Bjugstad had another goal against his hometown team but the Coyotes penalty kill couldn't contain the Minnesota Wild in a road loss.

6 days ago

Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Clayton Keller scores twice in loss to Blackhawks, Colin Blackwell delivers hat trick

Colin Blackwell got his first hat trick and Connor Bedard had two goals, leading the Blackhawks to a victory over the Coyotes.

8 days ago

Dylan Guenther #11 of the Arizona Coyotes warms up before the NHL game against the Boston Bruins at...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther has water turned off after he doesn’t pay utility bill

Arizona Coyotes' Dylan Guenther and teammate Jack McBain had their water turned off this week after they did not pay their utility bill.

9 days ago

Coyotes sign new goalie Darcy Kuemper to two-year extension