The Los Angeles Kings announced that starting goalie Jonathan Quick has been placed back on injured reserve today. They have not disclosed a time frame for his return as yet, but the Kings used a retroactive designation for the netminder, which likely indicates that it is not considered a long-term injury. Quick can be activated from IR as early as Thursday. It is believed he may be struggling with the same lower body/groin issue that has caused him continual problems this season.
Jonathan Quick Placed On Injured Reserve; Jack Campbell Recalled https://t.co/gpR7o6wn02 pic.twitter.com/WZXuQSXeTj
— Pro Hockey Rumors (@prohockeyrumors) January 29, 2018
Los Angeles Kings Place Jonathan Quick on Injured Reserve
This news is the reason behind Quick not attending the NHL All-Star Game. Quick was healthy enough to dress as the backup for their road match against the Calgary Flames but chose to bypass the All-Star Game to assist his recovery. This decision subsequently gave him a one-game suspension
So far this season, he has a .921 save percentage and a 2.44 goals against average. He has played for the Kings for his whole NHL career. He was originally drafted by them in the third round, seventy-second overall in the 2005 NHL Draft.
Kings GM Rob Blake confirms that Jonathan Quick is pulling out of ASG, says his star goalie is unable to play in it. “Needs to take care of nagging injury,'' Blake said via text message.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 24, 2018
What This Means for the Future.
The Kings have recalled Jack Campbell from the AHL to take Quick’s spot for at least one game. Quick has been heavily relied upon recently and has started in all of his thirty-nine games this season. The Kings are currently 26-18-5 and are still in contention for a wildcard spot. This is a crucial time where the Kings need experience between the pipes to get every win. Campbell has proved to be talented, achieving a .920 save percentage with the Ontario Reign, but has been struggling to break through in the NHL. Quick’s one-game suspension may fortuitous for the former Conn Smythe Trophy winner, as gives him even more rest time. However, if his injury progresses further, the Kings will need to devise a plan to further develop their young goalies.
SAN JOSE, CA – OCTOBER 12: Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings defends the net against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on October 12, 2016, in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
