The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was first to report the news before the Capitals made the move official.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings for goaltender Darcy Kuemper.
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 19, 2024
“We are thrilled to announce the addition of Pierre-Luc to the Caps organization,” Brian MacLellan said in a statement. “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.
“We also thank Darcy for his valuable contributions to our organization on and off the ice and wish him the best in Los Angeles. After witnessing Charlie Lindgren’s performance last season, we believe he deserves a chance to play a more significant role within our team.”
The deal is a one-for-one and neither side will retain salary. Dubois has long been on the Capitals’ radar with the club interested in acquiring him back in 2021 when the Columbus Blue Jackets were shopping him.
Jeff Marek from Sportsnet’s 32 Thoughts Podcast first brought up indications of a Dubois-Kuemper straight swap in early May. Dubois was dealt to the Kings by the Winnipeg Jets in June right before the 2023 NHL Draft. The 25-year-old, former third-overall pick signed an eight-year, $68 million extension as part of the sign-and-trade deal, locking him up through the 2030-31 campaign.
The Quebec native struggled in his first year with the Kings, playing under huge expectations for a player being paid $8.5 million against the salary cap. In 82 games, PLD managed just 40 points (16g, 24a).
Pierre-Luc Dubois, acquired by WSH, is a playmaking centre who really did not fit in Los Angeles. At his best, he can get into the dangerous areas of the ice and create scoring chances for himself and linemates. What we saw last year was too much deferring. #AllCaps pic.twitter.com/jjFQHf4U8W
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 19, 2024
Dubois set his career high in scoring, 63 points, with the Jets during the 2022-23 campaign but reportedly refused to sign a long-term deal with the club despite the good fit. His reluctance to commit to the team mirrored how his time with the Blue Jackets ended. After requesting a trade from Columbus, Dubois was benched by then-head coach John Tortorella after bouts of lackadaisical play.
Per TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, Dubois is excited for another fresh start in Washington. Washington also has the cap space to fit Dubois in their current plans and have expressed prior interest in acquiring a proven, young playmaker that can immediately jump into their top-six forward group. Dubois turns 26 years old on June 24 and will likely be the team’s first-line center.
Dubois’ contract includes a no-move clause set to kick in on July 1, per Puckpedia. He will have full no-move protection through the 2027-28 season, a 15-team no-trade list in 2028-29, and a 10 team no trade list from 2029-30 to 2030-31.
Kuemper becomes just the second goaltender in the Kings’ organization under contract for next season, joining fellow veteran David Rittich. Kuemper previously made 15 starts for the Kings during the 2017-18 campaign.
The 33-year-old netminder is coming off his worst full season in the NHL. Kuemper posted career lows in goals against average (3.31) and save percentage (.890). He finished the season with a win/loss record under .500 (13-14-3) and did not win a game after February 26. Kuemper makes $5.25 million against the salary cap through the 2026-27 season.
The Capitals have goaltender depth in the minors after both Hunter Shepard and Clay Stevenson posted impressive numbers for the Hershey Bears during the 2023-24 campaign. Shepard was named the AHL’s best goaltender at regular season’s end and led the Bears to a second straight Calder Cup Finals appearance in the playoffs. He was AHL Playoffs MVP in 2023.
Shepard went 2-1-1 in four appearances for the Capitals during the 2023-24 season, posting a 3.19 goals against average and .894 save percentage.
Here’s the Capitals’ press release:
Capitals Acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings
A former third overall pick joins the Capitals for goaltender Darcy Kuemper
25-year-old forward is one of six players in his Draft class with four or more 20-goal seasons
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings for goaltender Darcy Kuemper, president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
“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.
“We also thank Darcy for his valuable contributions to our organization on and off the ice and wish him the best in Los Angeles. After witnessing Charlie Lindgren’s performance last season, we believe he deserves a chance to play a more significant role within our team.”
Dubois, 25, recorded 40 points (16g, 24a) in 82 games with Los Angeles in 2023-24. The 6’4”, 225-pound forward ranked tied for third on Los Angeles in power-play goals (7), seventh in goals and eighth in points. During the 2022-23 season, Dubois established NHL single-season career highs in assists (36), points (63) and power-play points (23) in 73 games with the Winnipeg Jets. In 516 career NHL games with Los Angeles, Winnipeg and Columbus Blue Jackets, Dubois has recorded 342 points (145g, 197a). In addition, Dubois has recorded 27 points (11g, 16a) in 43 career playoff games. The Ste-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec native was originally drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round, third overall, in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Internationally, Dubois has represented Canada at the World Championships four times (2018, 2019, 2022, 2024), earning silver medals in 2019 and 2022. In 37 career games at the World Championships, Dubois has recorded 36 points (17g, 19a). In addition, Dubois earned a silver medal at the 2017 World Junior Championships, where he recorded five assists in seven games.
Dubois’ father, Eric, was a fourth-round pick (No. 76) by the Quebec Nordiques at the 1989 NHL Draft.
Kuemper, 34, posted a record of 13-14-3 with a 3.31 goals-against average, a .890 save percentage and one shutout in 33 appearances with Washington in 2023-24. Kuemper, who signed with Washington as a free agent on July 13, 2022, has a record of 178-135-46 with a 2.61 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage and 31 shutouts in 389 career games with the Capitals, Colorado Avalanche, Arizona Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild.
