Quick Out Indefinitely after Undergoing Knee Surgery

The Los Angeles Kings announced on Wednesday that goaltender Jonathan Quick will be out indefinitely. Quick underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. He suffered the injury during Kings’ practice on Saturday.

Quick was placed on injured reserve and missed five games with a lower-body injury earlier this season. He started three games since returning, allowing a combined 14 goals on 77 shots (.818 SV%) before being ruled out as day-to-day following practice on Saturday.

While the Kings did not announce a timeline for his return, it is obvious they will be without their franchise goalie long-term. The recovery time for a torn meniscus can vary, but is generally set at around three months. Major injuries have unfortunately become a recurring theme for Quick. The 32-year-old missed 24 games in 2014 with a groin injury and nearly the entire 2016-17 season with a lower-body injury.

Jack Campbell should assume the starting job in the interim. The former first-round pick of the Dallas Stars has done a respectable job in the absence of Quick, posting a 3-4-0 record with a .912 SV% on the season. Peter Budaj was recalled from the Ontario Reign (AHL) after Quick’s injury on Saturday. He should see minimal work as the backup behind Quick. Budaj was the primary stand-in for Quick in 2016-17 and performed well, registering a .917 SV% and a 27-20-3 record in 53 appearances for the Kings.

It’s unclear whether the Kings are comfortable with the tandem of Campbell and Budaj moving forward, but they may be less inclined to make a move for a goalie this season given their disastrous start. The Kings currently sit dead last in the league with just seven points in 11 games. Their next game comes at home against the Flyers on Thursday.