The Los Angeles Kings have traded center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitals in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper. This move signals a pivotal change for both franchises as they look to address key needs ahead of the new NHL season.
Background and Previous Trades
Dubois initially joined the Kings following a trade with the Winnipeg Jets last June. To secure his services, the Jets had signed Dubois to an eight-year, $68 million extension. Expectations were high for Dubois, who was seen as a potential successor to Anze Kopitar as the Kings' number one center. However, his performance in Los Angeles did not meet those expectations.
During his first season with the Kings, Dubois managed to score 16 goals and tally 24 points over 82 games, finishing with a minus-9 rating. In the playoffs, he scored only 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 later admitted to feeling buyer's remorse over the acquisition. As a result, the Kings decided to move Dubois to the Capitals, hoping he can revive his career in Washington.
Dubois' Role with the Capitals
As the Capitals look to rebuild their center depth, the trade for Dubois comes at a critical time. The team had recently traded Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes and saw veteran center Nicklas Backstrom step away from the NHL due to injuries last season. According to General Manager Brian MacLellan, Dubois fills a crucial gap at center for the Capitals. MacLellan expressed confidence that the change of scenery would help Dubois thrive, leveraging his size, exceptional skating ability, and high hockey IQ.
"We are thrilled to announce the addition of Pierre-Luc to the Caps organization," said MacLellan. "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's Return to Los Angeles
On the other side of the trade, Darcy Kuemper returns to the Kings after signing with the Capitals in 2022. In his two seasons with Washington, Kuemper posted a .902 save percentage and a 3.03 goals-against average over 90 games. His departure was largely attributed to the emergence of goaltender Charlie Lindgren, who impressed with his performances last season and now looks set to take on a more significant role within the Capitals roster.
"After witnessing Charlie Lindgren's performance last season, we believe he deserves a chance to play a more significant role within our team," stated MacLellan.
Kings' Goaltending Needs
The Kings have been on the lookout for a reliable goaltender following an injury to Pheonix Copley. Last season, the team’s goaltending responsibilities fell on Cam Talbot and David Rittich, with both Talbot and Copley entering free agency. By acquiring Kuemper, the Kings hope to stabilize their goaltending department and rejuvenate Kuemper's career considering his previous experience with the team during the 2017-18 season.
Rob Blake discussed the need to improve Kuemper's performance: "We need to make him better. He's had consistent performances over his career so far and deviated from that this year. It's up to us to help him become more productive for us."
This trade marks a significant shift for both the Los Angeles Kings and the Washington Capitals. Each team has traded to fill vital gaps in their respective rosters, aiming to improve their performance and achieve better results in the upcoming NHL season. Only time will tell if these changes will provide the much-needed boost each franchise seeks.