Kings G Darcy Kuemper placed on IR after blow to head

Field Level Media|published: Tue 16th December, 13:12 2025

Dec 15, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) checks on Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Kings placed Darcy Kuemper on injured reserve Tuesday and recalled fellow goalie Pheonix Copley from the AHL's Ontario Reign.

Kuemper came away with an upper-body injury Monday when the Dallas Stars' Mikko Rantanen collided into him late in the first period. He left the game after taking a forearm to the helmet and was replaced by Anton Forsberg. There was no penalty called on the play.

"I saw a player come into the blue paint and run into our goaltender. That's what I saw," Kings head coach Jim Hiller said after the game.

While there is no timetable for Kuemper's return, his IR designation will keep him out for at least seven days.

Kuemper made five saves over the first 16 minutes of Monday's game, while Forsberg made 17 saves in the Stars' 4-1 victory.

Kuemper, 35, is 10-6-6 with two shutouts, a .917 save percentage and a 2.52 goals-against average this season. In 14 NHL seasons with five teams, including his first five seasons with the Minnesota Wild (2012-17), he is 219-152-59 with 38 shutouts, a .915 save percentage and a 2.52 GAA.

Copley, 33, is in his fourth season in the Kings' organization but has not appeared in an NHL game in 2025-26. In seven NHL seasons with three teams, he is 44-16-8 with an .898 save percentage and a 2.84 GAA.

--Field Level Media

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