![NHL – Kings trade Pierre-Luc Dubois to Capitals for Darcy Kuemper| Keynote USA NHL – Kings trade Pierre-Luc Dubois to Capitals for Darcy Kuemper| Keynote USA](https://i1.wp.com/a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2024%2F0506%2Fr1329420_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
The Los Angeles Kings managed to get center Pierre-Luc Dubois off their salary cap while addressing their goaltending need in a surprising trade with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
The Kings sent Dubois to the Capitals for goalie Darcy Kuemper in a one-for-one trade.
Dubois, 25, was acquired by the Kings in a blockbuster trade last June that sent forwards Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and Gabriel Vilardi, along with a second-round pick, to the Winnipeg Jets. It was a sign-and-trade deal, as the Jets signed Dubois to an eight-year, $68 million extension before sending him to the Kings.
Pierre-Luc Dubois is headed to the Capitals just one season after the Kings acquired him in a blockbuster trade with the Jets. sports icon
Dubois, acquired to potentially move up to the Kings’ number one center spot after Anze Kopitar’s playing days ended, was a major disappointment in his first season, with 16 goals and 24 points in 82 games, going a -9 . He continued to disappoint in the postseason, with one goal and 20 penalty minutes in five games against the Edmonton Oilers.
After the season, general manager Rob Blake promised not to terminate Dubois’ contract.
“We need to improve it,” he said. “He’s been a consistent performer so far throughout his career and he deviated from it this year. It’s up to us to help him be more productive for us.”
But buyer’s remorse from the previous deal was clear, and now Dubois is a member of the Capitals.
“We are thrilled to announce the addition of Pierre-Luc to the Caps organization,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. “This acquisition brings a talented 25-year-old with immense potential to become a top 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.”
Dubois fills a hole in center for the Capitals, who traded Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes and saw Nicklas Backstrom walk away from the NHL due to injuries last season.
Kuemper, 34, signed a five-year, $26.25 million contract with the Capitals in 2022 after winning the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. He had a .902 save percentage and a 3.03 goals-against average in 90 games over two seasons. But the emergence last season of goalie Charlie Lindgren, who went 25-16-7 with a .911 save percentage, made Kuemper expandable.
“After witnessing Charlie Lindgren’s performance last season, we believe he deserves an opportunity to play a larger role within our team,” MacLellan said.
Kuemper was previously a member of the Kings for 19 games in 2017-18, before he was traded to the Arizona Coyotes.
The Kings were looking for a solution in goal after the combination of Cam Talbot and David Rittich played most of the season following the injury to Pheonix Copley. Talbot and Copley are free agents and Rittich is signed through next season.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.