Ben Shelley: Kings reportedly looking to re-sign Cal Petersen to long-term contract

I'd bet 4 years @ $4.5M.

I'd bet 4 years @ $4.5M.
- tkecanuck341

I could see that but I think it’s a little high. I’d prefer 3x3 but either way I’d be happy. Kings love to give out that bridge, prove yourself contract. With a better D group in front of him, he should have a better record this year.

A long-term deal for him makes me nervous, since he's barely proven anything, but the team has little choice with the goaltending pipeline as it is. I'm also nervous because Petersen's agent will use that as leverage. Blake will have to give him close to what he wants because losing him next Summer would be disastrous to the rebuild.

I could see that but I think it’s a little high. I’d prefer 3x3 but either way I’d be happy. Kings love to give out that bridge, prove yourself contract. With a better D group in front of him, he should have a better record this year.
- KingKopitar

The problem is that the Kings don't have any other options in net right now and Petersen knows it. It's either hand over the reins to him or go out and try to acquire a new goaltender on the open market. Shesterkin and Sorokin both got bigger paydays with similar term, despite both the Rangers and Islanders having NHL-ready alternatives, and both of those guys have fewer NHL games under their belt than Petersen does.

I'd be very surprised if Petersen's deal is less than 4 years or $4M AAV.

The problem is that the Kings don't have any other options in net right now and Petersen knows it. It's either hand over the reins to him or go out and try to acquire a new goaltender on the open market. Shesterkin and Sorokin both got bigger paydays with similar term, despite both the Rangers and Islanders having NHL-ready alternatives, and both of those guys have fewer NHL games under their belt than Petersen does.

I'd be very surprised if Petersen's deal is less than 4 years or $4M AAV.
- tkecanuck341

I wouldn’t. Look at the goalie turnover the last year. Grubauer, Vanacek, Dreiger, Kuemper, etc. Yes, I would love for another Quick ( aka a home-grown goalie talent) but I don’t think that it is essential to the ultimate success of this team. If Petersen can’t take the reigns, which I don’t think will happen, then there are plenty of other options in a year or two. Look to Samsonov in Wash, Georgiev in NYR, even Dreiger or Grub if one doesn’t fit in Seattle. Ultimately, I’m not worried about that position yet. Though I do think we need to make it a priority in the next draft or two.

I wouldn’t. Look at the goalie turnover the last year. Grubauer, Vanacek, Dreiger, Kuemper, etc. Yes, I would love for another Quick ( aka a home-grown goalie talent) but I don’t think that it is essential to the ultimate success of this team. If Petersen can’t take the reigns, which I don’t think will happen, then there are plenty of other options in a year or two. Look to Samsonov in Wash, Georgiev in NYR, even Dreiger or Grub if one doesn’t fit in Seattle. Ultimately, I’m not worried about that position yet. Though I do think we need to make it a priority in the next draft or two.
- KingKopitar

So then there are realistically two options. Either the Kings decide to extend Petersen now, in which case he'll get Shesterkin/Samsonov money and term, or the Kings will decline to extend him and wait until after next season to see if Petersen can show if he's the real deal. There's no realistic situation in which Petersen extends now for the short-term or for less money.

The risk is if the Kings wait to extend him, and he puts up a top quality numbers this year, then the Kings are going to have to give him a Hellebuyck/Gibson contract next summer.

They're better off giving him a back-loaded 4-year, $4.5M deal so it will be buyout friendly if he turns out to be a bust. If he turns into the goalie that Robin Lehner says he is, then it will be one of the best goalie contracts in the NHL in a few years.