Trade Overview: Kings Send Dubois to Capitals in Exchange for Kuemper
The Los Angeles Kings have made a significant move 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 from the Winnipeg Jets in June. The trade marks a notable shift for both franchises, with each team looking to fill critical gaps in their roster.
Dubois, who was signed to an eight-year, $68 million extension by the Jets before being traded to the Kings, was initially expected to succeed Anze Kopitar as the Kings' No. 1 center. However, his first season in Los Angeles did not meet expectations. Dubois managed to score 16 goals and tally 24 points in 82 games, finishing with a minus-9 rating. His playoff performance was also underwhelming, with just one goal and 20 penalty minutes in five games against the Edmonton Oilers.
Despite General Manager Rob Blake's initial vow not to buy out Dubois's contract, the Kings decided to trade him, citing a sense of buyer's remorse. Dubois will now join the Capitals, where he hopes to revive his career and meet the high expectations that come with his considerable talent.
Dubois Fits Capitals' Needs
The Washington Capitals have been in need of a strong center, especially after trading Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes. Additionally, Nicklas Backstrom stepped away from the NHL last season due to injuries, leaving a significant gap at the center position. Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan expressed confidence that Dubois fills this crucial gap effectively.
"We are thrilled to announce the addition of Pierre-Luc to the Caps organization," MacLellan stated. "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."
Darcy Kuemper, on the other hand, returns to the Kings after signing a contract with the Capitals in 2022. Over two seasons with Washington, Kuemper posted a .902 save percentage and a 3.03 goals-against average over 90 games. However, the emergence of goaltender Charlie Lindgren made Kuemper expendable.
Kuemper's Return to the Kings
Kuemper is no stranger to the Kings, having played 19 games for them in the 2017-18 season before being traded to the Arizona Coyotes. The Kings are in dire need of a reliable goaltender following an injury to Pheonix Copley. Last season, the Kings relied on goaltenders Cam Talbot and David Rittich, both of whom are entering free agency. This has left a significant need for stability in the goaltending department.
Rob Blake emphasized the importance of rejuvenating Kuemper's career and stabilizing the team's goaltending situation. "We need to make him better," Blake said. "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."
Meanwhile, the Capitals are optimistic about Lindgren's potential to fill the void left by Kuemper. "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.
This trade marks a critical turning point for both the Kings and the Capitals. Dubois will look to fulfill his potential in Washington, while Kuemper will aim to stabilize the Kings' goaltending situation. As both teams move forward, the success of this trade will likely be evaluated by the performances of Dubois and Kuemper in their new roles.