Coyotes lock up goalie Darcy Kuemper to a big money contract

This just in, the Arizona Coyotes have signed goaltender Darcy Kuemper to a two year, $9 million contract worth $4.5 million per season.

Check it out:

That’s… that’s a bit rich, isn’t it?

Kuemper had a great run with the Coyotes last season, no doubt but it was his first real season as an NHL starter at age 29. He put up an impressive 2.33 goals against average and .925 save percentage, but it’s expected that he’ll take a backup role to Antti Raanta this season. 

Read below for the full press release courtesy of the Coyotes’ official website: 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - Arizona Coyotes President of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Chayka announced today that the Coyotes have signed goaltender Darcy Kuemper to a two-year contract extension through the 2021-22 season. As per Club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"We are extremely pleased to sign Darcy to a two-year extension," said Chayka. "Darcy had an incredible season last year and established himself as one of the NHL's best goaltenders. With Darcy and Antti, we are confident that we have one of the best goaltending tandems in the League."

The 29-year-old Kuemper posted a 27-20-8 record with a .925 save percentage (SV%) and 2.33 goals against average (GAA) in a career-high 55 games in 2018-19.

"I'm thrilled to re-sign with the Coyotes," said Kuemper. "We have a great team and first-class organization and I love living and playing in the Valley. I'm excited to grow and build with our group. This is a great day for me and my family."

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Kuemper went 22-9-6 with a .933 SV% and a 2.05 GAA from January to the end of the 2018-19 regular season. His 22 wins were the third-most in the NHL while his 37 starts were the most among all goaltenders since the beginning of the new year. He won a career-high 27 games last season and also won a career-best seven consecutive games from Feb. 16 to Mar. 2.

Kuemper was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week (Mar. 25-31) after going 2-0-1 with two shutouts while posting a 0.65 GAA and a .979 SV% in three starts.

The native of Saskatoon, SK owns an 80-61-27 record with a .916 SV% and a 2.50 GAA in 186 career NHL games with the Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild.

Kuemper was originally drafted by the Wild in the sixth round (160th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by the Coyotes from the Kings in exchange for Tobias Rieder and Scott Wedgewood on February 21, 2018.