Report: Darcy Kuemper Considering KHL

Someday we will look back and realize that one could write a Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire-sized book on the Minnesota Wild’s goaltending drama over the last couple of seasons.

Potential title for one volume of that book: The KHL years.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie tweeted out today that Wild goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who remains an un-signed restricted free agent, is considering a move to the KHL.

That would be a strange move, though if Kuemper wants to get paid, the KHL will pay and he could surely get a job there. But this looming threat adds a new wrinkle to the fabric of the story. It’s the kind of thing that could have last repercussions on the relationship between the Wild and Kuemper.

The main sticking point in negotiations, according to McKenzie, is that Kuemper believes he has earned a one-way contract after his performance last season and the Wild are looking to get him on a two-way contract since they still have Josh Harding and Niklas Backstrom on one-way deals. And if, for some reason, Kuemper isn’t the guy in Minnesota next season, that two-way deal could help the team out as they’re sorting out a lot of restricted free agents coming up who will need raises.

Wild fans fell in love with Kuemper last season after he saved their hyde when both Backstrom and Harding were injured. A quick look through Twitter at people talking about this will give you a sense of how high fans are on Kuemper.

However, many are forgetting that he is not a no-questions-asked number one goaltender. He played well last season, but only played 26 games total. Two of those in the fall were terrible performances where he allowed six goals on 16 shots. He also suffered two concussions last season and was playing behind a team that was very sound defensively.

In his favor, he has a .930 save percentage at even strength over the last two seasons, which ranks quite favorably. Kuemper was good, there’s no doubt, but Harding was better and played more games.

There are certainly health concerns about both Harding and Backstrom, but Kuemper has health concerns after a couple concussions as well and is still largely untested. He’s played 32 career NHL games spread over two seasons. His sample size is small and it’s a little early to claim to know what could happen in his career.

Also, a reminder that even if Kuemper signs a one-way contract, he can be sent to the AHL without having to clear waivers. He will, however, get paid a NHL salary while there.

Wonder if he’ll be able to wear his new helmet while playing in the KHL.

Update 6:31pm
Star Tribune beat writer Michael Russo talked to Kuemper’s agent Jeff Helperl and Russo’s post on it is really worth a read.

Here’s a taste:

"“It comes down to Darcy has to play somewhere this year,” Helperl said. “Minnesota, they’re stuck on giving Darcy a two-way deal and I think Darcy deserves more. I’ve basically told Chuck, ‘we’re looking at a one-way deal on a one-year contract.’ They want to do a two-year contract. I just kind of told him where things are at. By no means are we shooting for the moon at all. I just want to get a one-way contract and get Darcy playing more games, and wherever that’s going to be, it’s going to be.”"

Read the full article here.