Darcy Kuemper’s Tremendous Start

Darcy Kuemper, who nearly earned my ire during contract negotiations, has proven he is worth every last penny in this young season. The 24-year-old goaltender has already broken one Wild record this season, inching closer to several more.

I don’t think it’s much of a secret that Darcy Kuemper has firmly seated himself at the top of the goaltending depth chart for our Minnesota Wild. Posting 3 shutouts in 4 games, Kuemper has been solid. Tonight, we take a look at how Kuemper came to be #35 with the Wild, as well as the challenges ahead for the young goaltender.

A Short Career in Review:

Born in 1990 (remember 1990?) Kuemper played midget and bantam hockey in his hometown of Saskatoon. Kuemper started his CHL career in the Western Hockey League with the Red Deer Rebels during the 2008-2009 season. In 55 regular season games before his draft year, Kuemper posted a respectable 2.96 GAA and 0.898 save percentage. Not earth shattering, but respectable no less.

Following the season, Kuemper would be drafted by the Wild in the 6th round, 161st overall in the 2009 NHL entry draft; the 15th of 19 goaltenders taken that year. You’ll recall that this is the same draft that saw the Wild take Matt Hackett, who was sent to the Buffalo Sabres as part of the Jason Pominville trade. Hackett was drafted in the third round as was expected to earn significant playing time with the Wild.

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Kuemper would be re-assigned to the WHL for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons. His best season came in 2010-2011 as an overage player. Earning a 0.933 save percentage with a 1.86 GAA, Kuemper secured the Del Wilson Trophy, awarded to the best goaltender in the WHL. He also earned the Four Broncos Trophy, awarded to the WHL player of the year. All told, Kuemper would go 94-60-17 through 178 regular season WHL contests, posting a 2.48 GAA and 0.914 save percentage with 19 shutouts.

Kuemper spent the next few seasons bouncing between the ECHL (with the Ontario Reign and Orlando Solar Bears) and the AHL (with the Houston Aeros and Iowa Wild) posting serviceable numbers.

2014-2015 season: An amazing start.

Kuemper entered this season with 32 games of regular season NHL experience. A reasonable pre-season led to Kuemper earning strarting night duties. From there, it was off to the races and the record books.

Facing a Colorado Avalanche squad that was flat-footed, cachetic, and off their game, Kuemper posted back-to-back shutouts, stopping 16 shots the first night and spoiling the Avs home opener by stopping all 30 shots he faced in Denver.

Facing a rolling Anaheim squad, Kuemper made it 44 minutes before allowing a goal, setting a new Wild record at 163 minutes, 46 seconds. The previous record was held by Niklas Backstrom. More on him in a minute.

Thursday night, Kuemper started a new shutout streak, turning away all 26 shots the Arizona Coyotes threw at him. Technically, one got by, but Kuemps was saved by incidental contact. His new shutout streak stands at 60 minutes.

Comparisons:

It’s early to say, but I really like what I see. Of the 19 Goalies taken in 2009, only Ottawa Senators keeper Robin Lehner has more NHL experience (63 games) than Kuemper. I get it, goalies take time to develop, but that’s still pretty good for Darcy Kuemper.

Neither Niklas Backstrom nor Josh Harding got off to such a strong start in their first full season (more than ten games played in a season). Take a look at the table below. I had to do all the math by hand, but I think you’ll see what I mean.

[table id=14 /]

Darcy Kuemper wins in everything but shots faced. Remember, Harding’s first full year, the Wild were first in the league in goals against, allowing fewer than any other team.

As of today, Kuemper is first among all goaltenders who have played more than one game in save percentage, goals against average, and shutouts.

A Goals Against Average of 0.50 is the best in Wild history to open a season. Now, GAA is a bad statistic. Let’s look at Goals Saved Above Average (GSAA,) which is determined by the number of saves made above the league average save percentage. Unsurprisingly, Jonathan Quick ranks first with a staggering 9.30 GSAA compared to Kuemper’s 6.46, ranking second. Henrik Lundqvist? 56th at -3.33.  NEGATIVE THREE!

Looking Ahead

The Real challenge for Kuemper comes this week. Taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight, the Wild play 6 games over the next 9 days. The Wild also face the Rangers, Bruins, Sharks, Stars, and Penguins between now and Novemeber 4th. Darcy Kuemper will get the nod against the stellar Tampa Bay Lightning tonight.

What do you think, Wild fans? Where does Darcy Kuemper’s season go from here?