The Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, June 19, performed a major about-face, sending under-performing center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitals in a trade that brought veteran goaltender Darcy Kuemper back to Southern California.
Dubois, less than a week away from turning 26, spent only one season with the Kings, who acquired him from the Winnipeg Jets just less than a year ago for top young players Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari, and Gabriel Vilardi, as well as a second-round pick in this year’s NHL draft.
The Kings subsequently signed Dubois to an eight-year, $68 million contract, but escaped that financial commitment with Wednesday’s trade that included no retained salary on either side.
The fit in Los Angeles never seemed right for Dubois, who played all 82 regular-season games but totaled only 16 goals and 40 points, along with 70 penalty minutes.
The third overall pick, by the Columbus Blue Jackets, in the 2016 draft, Dubois has 342 career points, including 145 goals, in 516 career games.
“We are thrilled to announce the addition of Pierre-Luc to the Caps organization,” Washington General Manager Brian MacLellan said. “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.”
Kuemper, 34, excelled in a backup role with the Kings in 2017–18, going 10–1–3 with a 2.10 goals-against average, and .932 save percentage.
This past season, Kuemper was 13–14–3 with 3.31 and .890 numbers, along with one shutout, in 33 appearances with the Capitals.
Kuemper, who signed with Washington as a free agent in July 2022, has a career record of 178–135–46, with a 2.61 goals-against average, .914 save percentage, and 31 shutouts in 389 games. He has also played with Minnesota, Arizona, and Colorado, backstopping the Avalanche to the 2022 Stanley Cup championship.
Kuemper has three seasons remaining on the five-year, $26.25 million deal he signed with the Capitals.
“We thank Darcy for his valuable contributions to our organization on and off the ice, and wish him the best in Los Angeles,” MacLellan said.
