Cal Petersen

Petersen and veteran Jonathan Quick split time for an overachieving Kings in 2021-22. Quick was the better goaltender, although Petersen's numbers (20-14-2, 2.89 GAA, .895 save percentage, 3 shutouts) weren't horrible. Petersen's dip in save percentage is somewhat concerning because the 27-year-old netminder has seen that number decrease in each of his first four NHL seasons, so it would be nice to see him get back above the .900 mark in 2022-23. Another time share appears to be a certainty assuming both goalies make it through the upcoming campaign healthy, making neither Petersen nor Quick more than a late-round fantasy gamble.

After ascending the organizational depth chart over the last few seasons, the time is at hand for Cal Petersen. The 26-year-old took on a majority of the workload in LA during the pandemic-shortened season, posting a 2.89 GAA and a .911 save percentage en-route to a 9-18-5 record in 35 starts. With Jonathan Quick's career in decline and Jack Campbell out of the way, the starting role appears to belong to Petersen heading into 2021-22. The Kings have been effective and methodical in their rebuilding process which should significantly boost Petersen's appeal in dynasty formats. Those in standard leagues can rely on Petersen to once again get a hefty workload and, if not adverse to ups and downs, can look to add him as a depth option available in the later rounds of their drafts.

For the second straight season, Petersen saw only a handful of starts in 2019-20 but outplayed Jonathan Quick when he got the chance, and the Kings were so confident in the 26-year-old being their goalie of the future that they dealt Jack Campbell to Toronto in February. Petersen isn't the biggest netminder, but he's athletic and moves well in the crease, and he knows how to maintain focus and not get rattled. With Quick under contract through 2022-23, there's been no organizational rush to find his successor, but Petersen's play over the last couple of seasons is coming close to forcing the Kings' hand and a timeshare this season seems very likely. With a wealth of talent up front set to join the roster over the next couple of years, Petersen should take on the mantle of No. 1 goalie just as the Kings are becoming competitive again.