LA Kings Make Surprising Roster Move Ahead of Season Opener

The Los Angeles Kings start another season on Thursday night as they play host to the Vegas Golden Knights. Tonight marks a big change for the Kings as their starting goaltender will not be Jonathan Quick. The team has named Cal Petersen tonight's starting netminder for the 2021-22 season opener.

Todd McLellan confirms Cal Petersen as tonight’s starter in net for LAK.
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) October 14, 2021

This changing of the guard wasn't completely unexpected but certainly a surprise to some. Quick has two seasons left on his contract, paying him $5.8 million per season and the veteran worked hard in training camp, but evidently fell just short of the younger Petersen.

Last season in 22 appearances Quick posted a 2.86 GAA and a .898 save %. Meanwhile the 26-year-old Petersen who recently signed a three-year extension worth $5 million per season posted a 2.89 GAA and a .911 save %. He would then go on to star for Team USA at the World Championships and has used some of this momentum to carry over his strong play into the 2021-22 season.

Cal Petersen, the new starting netminder for the LA Kings!