Kings commerce Pierre-Luc Dubois to Capitals for Darcy Kuemper

The Los Angeles Kings managed to get heart Pierre-Luc Dubois off their wage cap whereas addressing their goaltending want in a surprising commerce with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

The Kings despatched Dubois to the Capitals for goaltender Darcy Kuemper in a one-for-one commerce.

Dubois, 25, was acquired by the Kings in a blockbuster commerce in June 2023 that despatched forwards Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and Gabriel Vilardi, together with a second-round choose, to the Winnipeg Jets. It was a sign-and-trade deal, because the Jets signed Dubois to an eight-year, $68 million extension earlier than transport him to the Kings.

Acquired to probably ascend to the Kings’ No. 1 heart spot after Anze Kopitar’s enjoying days had been completed, Dubois was an enormous disappointment in his first season, with 16 targets and 24 factors in 82 video games, skating to a minus-9. He continued to underwhelm within the postseason, with one purpose and 20 penalty minutes in 5 video games towards the Edmonton Oilers.

“I do not suppose I did a adequate job integrating him in the proper roles on the staff. I believe it wasn’t an ideal slot in that side for us, and we take duty for that,” Kings vice chairman and normal supervisor Rob Blake mentioned to reporters a few hours after the commerce was introduced.

After the season, Blake had vowed to not purchase out Dubois’ contract. However the purchaser’s regret on the sooner deal was clear, and now Dubois is a member of the Capitals.

“We’re thrilled to announce the addition of Pierre-Luc to the Caps group,” Capitals normal supervisor Brian MacLellan mentioned in an announcement. “This acquisition brings in a gifted 25-year-old with immense potential to turn out to be a top-tier heart within the NHL. Together with his dimension, distinctive skating and excessive hockey IQ, we’re assured he’ll thrive in our group with elevated duty and alternative.”

Dubois fills a gap at heart for the Capitals, who traded Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes and noticed Nicklas Backstrom step away from the NHL on account of accidents final season.

Kuemper, 34, signed a five-year, $26.25 million contract with the Capitals in 2022 after profitable the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. He had a .902 save proportion and a 3.03 goals-against common in 90 video games over two seasons. However the emergence final season of goaltender Charlie Lindgren, who was 25-16-7 with a .911 save proportion, made Kuemper expendable.

“After witnessing Charlie Lindgren’s efficiency final season, we consider he deserves an opportunity to play a extra vital position inside our staff,” MacLellan mentioned.

Kuemper was beforehand a member of the Kings for 19 video games in 2017-18, earlier than they traded him to the Arizona Coyotes.

The Kings had been looking for an answer in purpose after the mix of Cam Talbot and David Rittich performed the vast majority of the season following an damage to Pheonix Copley. Talbot and Copley are free brokers, and Rittich is signed by subsequent season.

Blake is hoping that the duo of Kuemper and Rittich can present stability in web for at the least a few seasons.

“We have needed to go to completely different goalies right here within the final couple of years for various circumstances. However, we’ve got consolation in these two getting us the place we wish to go,” Blake mentioned.

Data from The Related Press was included on this report.