LOS ANGELES (AP) — Goalie Darcy Kuemper left the Los Angeles Kings' game against the New York Rangers after a collision in the crease late in the first period on Tuesday night.
Los Angeles coach Jim Hiller declined to reveal the nature of Kuemper's injury, and he was unsure of its severity immediately after the Kings' 4-3 victory.
“I don't have too much to share,” Hiller said. “We'll probably know a little bit more tomorrow.”
Kuemper, who is expected to play for Canada at the Olympics next month, got hurt when the Rangers' Jonny Brodzinski and made some contact with Kuemper's head while attempting to stop after a two-on-one rush to the net.
Although it didn't appear to be a heavy collision, Kuemper apparently called to the officials for a stoppage in play moments later. He skated around gingerly before going up the tunnel to the Kings' dressing room with 38.8 seconds left in the period.
Kuemper missed the second half of December after taking a hit to the head from Mikko Rantanen during a loss at Dallas. Hiller said he doesn't currently believe Kuemper's new injury is comparable to last month's setback.
“From what I’m gathering, I don’t think that’s going to be the case,” Hiller said. “I don't know enough for sure, so I really shouldn't comment, but I did have a chance to speak to him quickly, and it seemed like he was doing OK from that perspective.”
Kuemper returned on Jan. 1 for the Kings, and he has appeared in nine of their 11 games this month.
Backup Anton Forsberg replaced Kuemper and made 28 saves in an outstanding performance, leading the Kings to victory.
“It happened so quick, and it was the end of the period,” Forsberg said. “A couple of seconds left, so at that point, just get through the first and see what happens after that. Focus on what I can do and just play my game. Came in here and found out that I was going to play the whole game, so at that point you just focus.”
The 35-year-old Kuemper was selected for Canada's Olympic roster on New Year's Eve, joining goalies Jordan Binnington and Logan Thompson.
Kuemper is a 14-year NHL veteran from Saskatchewan who won the Stanley Cup for the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
The Kings snapped a four-game skid with their victory over New York. They don't play again until Saturday, when they open a six-game road trip in St. Louis.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL
New York Rangers center J.T. Miller, left, scores on Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper skates off the ice with a trainer during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper, right, stops a shot by New York Rangers center Jonny Brodzinski during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NEW YORK (AP) — Bo Bichette and the New York Mets finalized their $126 million, three-year contract on Tuesday night.
The sides agreed to terms last week, subject to a successful physical. Bichette spurned the NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies to sign with the Mets and will be introduced by the team Wednesday during a news conference at Citi Field.
A two-time All-Star shortstop with the Toronto Blue Jays, Bichette will move to third base with the Mets, who have Francisco Lindor at shortstop. Bichette has never played a professional game at the hot corner.
“Throughout his career, Bo has distinguished himself as one of the best pure right-handed hitters in baseball," Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said in a news release announcing the deal.
"He possesses the rare combination of elite bat-to-ball (skills) and power that will impact our lineup. Beyond his on-field skills, Bo has earned the reputation as one of the most intense competitors in our sport. We’re excited to add him to our team and believe he fits our organization very well.”
About two hours later, the busy Mets acquired center fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox in a trade for infielder Luisangel Acuña and minor league pitcher Truman Pauley.
Bichette can opt out of his contract after the first or second season to become a free agent again. He would receive $47 million for one year and $89 million for two years.
The deal does not contain any deferred money and Bichette gets a full no-trade provision. His $42 million average annual value ties for the sixth-highest in baseball history.
The additions of Bichette and Robert were the latest big developments in an eventful offseason for the Mets, who angered fans by letting popular slugger Pete Alonso and star closer Edwin Díaz leave in free agency. Stearns also traded two other stalwarts, outfielder Brandon Nimmo and versatile veteran Jeff McNeil — both homegrown players.
New York signed closer Devin Williams to a $51 million, three-year contract, infielder Jorge Polanco to a $40 million, two-year deal and reliever Luke Weaver to a $22 million, two-year agreement.
Although he lacks Alonso’s power, Bichette is a proven hitter with quick hands at the plate. He gives the Mets a potent right-handed bat to help complement lefty slugger Juan Soto.
Because of his inexperience at third, however, Bichette becomes the latest question mark in the field for New York even though Stearns has insisted the team must improve its defense and is determined to do so.
Polanco has one pitch of major league experience at first base, where he and Mark Vientos, previously a third baseman, are the leading candidates to replace Alonso.
Bichette batted .311 with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs and an .840 OPS in 139 games for the Blue Jays last year. He hit a three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Late last season, Bichette sprained his left knee in a Sept. 6 collision with New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells, keeping the infielder out of the lineup until the World Series. He returned for Game 1 against the Dodgers and played second base for the first time in six years.
Bichette led the American League in hits in 2021 and 2022. He finished second in the major leagues in batting average last season to Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.
Bichette turned down a $22,025,000 qualifying offer from the Blue Jays in November, so they will receive an extra draft pick in July after the fourth round.
New York forfeits its second- and fifth-highest draft picks, along with $1 million in 2027 international signing bonus pool allocation.
Bichette, who turns 28 in March, had spent his entire career with the Blue Jays since they selected him in the second round of the 2016 amateur draft. He is a .294 career hitter with 111 home runs and an .806 OPS in 748 major league games.
He is a son of former big league slugger Dante Bichette, a four-time All-Star outfielder.
AP Baseball Writers Ronald Blum and David Brandt and AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston contributed to this report.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb
FILE - Toronto Blue Jays' Bo Bichette celebrates his three run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning in Game 7 of baseball's World Series, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
