The Los Angeles Kings have traded center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitals in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper. This move comes after Dubois was initially acquired by the Kings in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets last June. The Jets had signed Dubois to an eight-year, $68 million extension before trading him to Los Angeles, where he was expected to succeed Anze Kopitar as the Kings' No. 1 center.
The Kings' Perspective
Dubois's first season with the Kings did not meet expectations. The 25-year-old center scored 16 goals and notched 24 points in 82 games, finishing with a minus-9 rating. In the playoffs, he managed just one goal and accumulated 20 penalty minutes in five games against the Edmonton Oilers. General manager Rob Blake had initially vowed not to buy out Dubois's contract, but feelings of buyer's remorse led to the eventual trade.
According to Blake, "We need to make him better. He's had a consistent performance over his career so far and deviated from that this year. It's up to us to help him become more productive to us."
Capitals' Gain
Dubois’s move to Washington addresses a pressing need for the Capitals. The team had recently traded Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes and lost Nicklas Backstrom, who stepped away from the NHL last season due to injuries. General manager Brian MacLellan expressed confidence that Dubois would fill a critical gap at center.
MacLellan said, "We are thrilled to announce the addition of Pierre-Luc to the Caps organization. This acquisition brings in a talented 25-year-old with immense potential to become a top-tier center in the NHL. With his size, exceptional skating, and high hockey IQ, we are confident he will thrive in our organization with increased responsibility and opportunity."
Kuemper's Return to Los Angeles
As part of the deal, the Kings welcome back goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who had previously signed a contract with the Capitals in 2022. Kuemper posted a .902 save percentage and a 3.03 goals-against average over 90 games in two seasons with Washington. However, he became expendable due to the emergence of goaltender Charlie Lindgren.
Kuemper is no stranger to the Kings, having played 19 games for the team during the 2017-18 season before being traded to the Arizona Coyotes. The need for a reliable goaltender became evident for the Kings following an injury to Pheonix Copley. Last season, the Kings relied on Cam Talbot and David Rittich, with Talbot and Copley now entering free agency.
Blake commented on the acquiring of Kuemper, stating, "We need to make him better. He's had a consistent performance over his career so far and deviated from that this year. It's up to us to help him become more productive to us."
Capitals' View on Lindgren
The Capitals' decision to part ways with Kuemper was made easier thanks to the impressive performance of Charlie Lindgren. MacLellan explained, "After witnessing Charlie Lindgren's performance last season, we believe he deserves a chance to play a more significant role within our team."
Changing Landscapes for Both Teams
This trade marks a significant shift for both franchises. For the Kings, it signifies an effort to stabilize their goaltending position while attempting to rejuvenate Kuemper’s career. For the Capitals, it’s a chance to fill the void at center and potentially unlock the vast potential of Pierre-Luc Dubois.
As the Kings and Capitals look ahead, both teams hope these moves will bring stability and success in the upcoming seasons. The trade underscores the ever-evolving strategies within the NHL, as teams continually reassess and pivot to meet their needs and capitalize on new opportunities.