The Los Angeles Kings completed a notable transaction by trading center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitals in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper. This move comes just one year after the Kings initially acquired Dubois in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets. Dubois had earlier secured an eight-year, $68 million contract extension with the Jets before moving to Los Angeles.
From High Expectations to Trade
Pierre-Luc Dubois was anticipated to be the successor to Anze Kopitar as the Kings’ No. 1 center. However, his performance in the first season didn’t quite meet those high expectations. Dubois recorded 16 goals and 24 points and ended with a minus-9 rating over 82 games. His playoff performance was also underwhelming, scoring just one goal and racking up 20 penalty minutes in five games against the Edmonton Oilers.
Despite initial assurances from General Manager Rob Blake that Dubois’s contract would not be bought out, the Kings eventually decided to trade him. Blake acknowledged the feeling of buyer’s remorse while expressing hope for Dubois’s career revival with the Capitals.
Dubois Meets Capitals' Needs
The Washington Capitals, who had just traded Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes and were affected by Nicklas Backstrom stepping away due to injuries, found Dubois to be a fitting replacement. Capitals' General Manager Brian MacLellan stated that Dubois fills a critical gap at center for their team. "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," expressed MacLellan.
Darcy Kuemper Returns to the Kings
On the other side of the trade, Darcy Kuemper returns to the Kings after signing a contract with the Capitals in 2022. Over the course of two seasons with Washington, Kuemper posted a .902 save percentage and a 3.03 goals-against average in 90 games. However, the emergence of goaltender Charlie Lindgren made Kuemper expendable. “After witnessing Charlie Lindgren's performance last season, we believe he deserves a chance to play a more significant role within our team,” MacLellan noted.
The Kings' need for a reliable goaltender became pressing following an injury to Pheonix Copley. Last season, the Kings' goaltending duties were shared between Cam Talbot and David Rittich, with Talbot and Copley now entering free agency. Bringing Kuemper back represents a potential opportunity to stabilize the goaltending department. "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,” Blake pointed out.
A Significant Shift for Both Franchises
This trade marks a significant shift for both franchises. The Kings are banking on Kuemper to bring stability and strong performances in the net, which they desperately need. Rob Blake and his team clearly have a plan to rejuvenate Kuemper’s career and restore him to his previous form.
Meanwhile, the Capitals are optimistic about the potential impact of Pierre-Luc Dubois. "We are confident he will thrive in our organization with increased responsibility and opportunity," emphasized MacLellan. The Capitals hope that this change of scenery will help Dubois realize his potential as an elite center in the NHL.
Only time will tell how this trade will pan out for both teams, but it reflects a calculated attempt by both franchises to address their respective weaknesses and build for the future. Fans of both the Kings and the Capitals will undoubtedly be watching closely as Dubois and Kuemper take on their new roles.