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Kings re-sign Erik Portillo |
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The Los Angeles Kings announced yesterday that they’ve signed goaltender Erik Portillo to a three-year contract, carrying a $783,333 cap hit.
Portillo was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in March 2023, after originally being selected 67th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. This past season marked Portillo’s first season of professional hockey with the AHL’s Ontario Reign. The 23-year-old posted very strong numbers across 39 AHL games, managing a 24-11-3 record and a .918 save percentage.
At 6-foot-6 and already adjusting very well to the AHL, Portillo has quickly become one of the Kings’ more interesting prospects. Given the Kings’ instability in the crease in recent years, Portillo is likely the best shot the Kings have at a long-term solution. Darcy Kuemper will be looking to rebound after a tough year in Washington, while David Rittich and/or Pheonix Copley have both shown they can help the Kings out when called upon, but it's likely none will still be in Los Angeles a few years down the road.
With both Rittich and Copley on one-year deals, if Portillo can repeat his AHL success this season, he could very well end up taking on a role with the Kings in 2025-26. Plus, with a three-year deal at a low cap hit, there’s the possibility his cheap salary could work in very well to the Kings’ tight cap situation in the later years of the deal.
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
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