A second Los Angeles Kings goalie went down with an injury when Jeff Zatkoff left practice Saturday.
Jonathan Quick suffered a groin injury last week, and though he declined surgery, he will reportedly be out several months.
Update: Zatkoff suffered a groin injury, according to Kings coach Darryl Sutter.
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The Kings recently recalled Peter Budaj to back up Zatkoff, and Jack Campbell — acquired in the offseason from the Dallas Stars organization — could be called up with Zatkoff potentially out for a spell. Campbell, however, remains a work in progress despite once being a highly touted prospect.
Update: Campbell was recalled Saturday by the Kings.
Zatkoff appeared in 14 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season.
Meanwhile, the Kings’ AHL affiliate Ontario Reign are similarly put in a tough position with these injuries. Jonah Imoo, the Reign’s starter tonight, will be backed up by his goalie coach– and father — Dusty Imoo.
All of this will focus attention on how the Kings plan to replace Zatkoff in the interim if his injury is serious. Sportsnet’s Luke Fox speculated on what the Kings could do in a summary of early goaltending questions from around the league:
As strong as the Kings are defensively and possession-wise, we can’t see them staying in the hunt without an upgrade. A trade will take work as GM Dean Lombardi has a cap cushion of just $1.53 million. Potential targets include Winnipeg’s Ondrej Pavelec, New York’s Thomas Greiss, Pittsburgh’s Mike Condon, Philadelphia’s Steve Mason or Michal Neuvirth, and Florida’s Reto Berra.
Pavelec, recently demoted by the Jets, seems like a possible target for L.A. Both Flyers goalies are in the last years of their respective contracts. Condon could become available when Pittsburgh’s Matt Murray is activated off of injured reserve.
