The Los Angeles Kings traded center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitals in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper.
The Kings had initially acquired Dubois in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets last June. Prior to that trade, Dubois had signed an eight-year, $68 million extension with the Jets. The Kings were hopeful that Dubois would succeed Anze Kopitar as their No. 1 center. However, Dubois managed to score only 16 goals and 24 points in 82 games, finishing the season with a minus-9 rating. In the playoffs, he scored one goal and accumulated 20 penalty minutes in five games against the Edmonton Oilers.
Despite general manager Rob Blake's earlier vow not to buy out Dubois's contract, the Kings ultimately felt buyer's remorse, prompting them to trade the center. Dubois now aims to revive his career with the Capitals.
Dubois Fits Capitals' Needs
The Capitals, who recently traded Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes and lost Nicklas Backstrom to injuries, had a significant gap at center. General manager Brian MacLellan expressed confidence that Dubois would fill this critical need. MacLellan stated that he believes Dubois, with his size, exceptional skating, and high hockey IQ, has immense potential to become a top-tier center in the NHL.
Darcy Kuemper, meanwhile, 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. The emergence of goaltender Charlie Lindgren made Kuemper expendable for the Capitals.
Kuemper had previously played 19 games for the Kings in the 2017-18 season before being traded to the Arizona Coyotes. With an injury sidelining Pheonix Copley, the Kings urgently needed a reliable goaltender. Last season, Cam Talbot and David Rittich were in goal for the Kings, with Talbot and Copley now entering free agency. The Kings hope Kuemper can rejuvenate his career and bring stability to their goaltending department.
Rob Blake emphasized the importance of making Kuemper better, acknowledging that Kuemper's performance had deviated from his career norms and stressing the team's responsibility to help him become more productive.
Significant Shift for Both Franchises
This trade marks a significant shift for both the Kings and the Capitals. The Capitals hope that Dubois will thrive in a new setting with increased responsibility and opportunity. Brian MacLellan voiced his enthusiasm about the acquisition, highlighting Dubois’s potential to become a top-tier center in the NHL.
On the other hand, the Kings are focused on stabilizing their goaltending situation. With the acquisition of Kuemper, they aim to bolster a department that had faced inconsistencies over the previous season. Rob Blake expressed a commitment to helping Kuemper regain his consistent performance levels, acknowledging the need for a strategic approach to make him more effective for the team.
Quotes
"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." - Brian MacLellan
"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." - Rob Blake
"After witnessing Charlie Lindgren's performance last season, we believe he deserves a chance to play a more significant role within our team." - Brian MacLellan
This trade symbolizes a strategic maneuver for both franchises, reflecting their respective needs both on the ice and in the locker room. While the Capitals expect Dubois to spearhead their offense, the Kings look to solidify their goalkeeping with Kuemper, betting on a resurgence that could balance their future endeavors.