The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to trade disgruntled forward Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitals.
Goaltender Darcy Kuemper will go to Los Angeles in return.
After being dealt to the Kings from Winnipeg last off-season, Dubois had one of the least productive seasons of his NHL career, finishing with only 16 goals and 24 assists in 82 games. Then in the playoffs, he recorded only one point in five games against the Oilers, a garbage-time goal in Game 1 of the series.
The 25-year-old signed an eight-year, $68 million deal after the trade landed him in Hollywood.
When there were rumours that the Kings would consider buying Dubois out of his contract, general manager Rob Blake had said, “We gotta do a better job with the coaches to incorporate him into the game.”
While he squashed any buyout rumours, he didn’t discuss any trade possibilities.
“I can’t. It’s out of my control,” Dubois said when asked if had any concerns about being bought out. “I’m a firm believer in everything happens for a reason. … I just gotta have the summer I know I can have. Anything else is out of my control. I can’t sit here and give you any more than that.”
Washington will be Dubois’ fourth stop in his career after being selected third overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2016. He was then traded to Winnipeg in 2021 as part of a deal for Patrik Laine.
Kuemper, who signed with the Capitals in the 2022 off-season, played in just 33 games with the team in 2023-24. He posted a 13-14-3 record on his way to losing the starting job in Washington. He finished with a .890 save percentage and 3.31 goals-against average.
He will be entering the third year of a five-year, $26,250,000 contract.
Los Angeles used three goalies — Cam Talbot, David Rittich and Phoenix Copley — in 2023-24, but with Talbot entering free agency, they needed some insurance in net.
In a surprising move, the Washington Capitals have acquired center Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings in a trade that has sent shockwaves through the NHL. Dubois, who was originally drafted third overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, has quickly established himself as one of the league’s top young talents.
The Capitals, who have been looking to add depth at the center position, saw an opportunity to bolster their lineup with the addition of Dubois. The 23-year-old Quebec native brings a unique combination of size, skill, and playmaking ability to the Capitals, making him a valuable asset for the team as they look to make a deep playoff run.
Dubois’ arrival in Washington comes at a critical time for the team, as they currently sit atop the Metropolitan Division and are considered one of the favorites to compete for the Stanley Cup this season. With his addition, the Capitals now boast a formidable group of centers that includes Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Lars Eller, giving them added depth and flexibility down the middle.
In exchange for Dubois, the Capitals sent a package of draft picks and prospects to the Kings, including a first-round pick in the upcoming draft. While it may seem like a steep price to pay, the Capitals believe that Dubois’ potential and talent make him worth the investment.
Dubois is expected to slot into the Capitals’ lineup immediately and could provide a much-needed boost to their offense. With his ability to create scoring chances and drive play, he has the potential to make a significant impact on the team’s success moving forward.
Overall, the acquisition of Pierre-Luc Dubois represents a bold move by the Washington Capitals as they look to solidify their position as contenders in the NHL. With his addition, the team now has another weapon in their arsenal as they gear up for what promises to be an exciting and competitive playoff race.