Opening trades of the NHL offseason contain several goalies but few surprises
Among the first handful of players to be traded in the NHL this summer, there were few stunnersJUNE 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
PIERRE-LUC DUBOIS #80 - CENTER - WASHINGTON CAPITALS
3 G •
13 A •
1.46 S/G
3 G
13 A
1.46 S/G
Dubois changes perspective quickly after joining Caps, a year since signing long term in LA
Pierre-Luc Dubois a year ago envisioned spending the better part of the next decade with the Los Angeles Kings because he signed a long-term contract worth $68 millionJUNE 26 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Darcy Kuemper hopes his second stint with Kings lasts longer than his first
Darcy Kuemper’s first stint with the Los Angeles Kings lasted less than one seasonJUNE 21 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kings acquire goalie Kuemper from Capitals for underachieving forward Dubois The Los Angeles Kings acquired goaltender Darcy Kuemper from the Washington Capitals for forward Pierre-Luc Dubois on Wednesday.
JUNE 19 • TORONTOSUN.COM
Caps trade Darcy Kuemper to Kings for Pierre-Luc Dubois The Washington Capitals acquired forward Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper on Wednesday....
JUNE 19 • SACBEE.COM
Capitals take a chance on Pierre-Luc Dubois, trade Darcy Kuemper to Kings The 25-year-old Dubois will be playing on his fourth team in five years when he joins Washington.
JUNE 19 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Kings acquire goaltender Darcy Kuemper from Capitals for forward Pierre-Luc Dubois
The Los Angeles Kings acquired goaltender Darcy Kuemper from the Washington Capitals for forward Pierre-Luc Dubois in a trade of high-priced, underachieving playersJUNE 19 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moving to Washington Dubois was acquired by the Capitals from the Kings on Wednesday in exchange for Darcy Kuemper.
Impact The Kings made a big bet on Dubois in the summer of 2023, trading Alex Iafallo, Gabriel Vilardi, Rasmus Kupari and a 2024 second-round pick to get him from the Jets. The move also involved signing Dubois to an eight-year, $68 million contract. The idea was that the center, who provides a strong blend of grit and skill, would make the Kings deep up the middle in the short term and perhaps even be the eventual successor to Anze Kopitar. However, Dubois went from recording at least 60 points in each of his previous two campaigns to finishing with 16 goals and 40 points across 82 regular-season contests in 2023-24. Averaging 15:42 of ice time this season, down from 18:27 in 2022-23, probably didn't help his offensive production, so perhaps the move to Washington will do him some good. Nicklas Backstrom (hip) isn't expected to play at all next season, which leaves the door open for Dubois to possibly serve as the Capitals' top-line center.
JUNE 19 • ROTOWIRE
HockeyBuzz.com - Ben Shelley - Are the Kings making a mistake by not buying out Pierre-Luc Dubois? NHL Hockey Trade Rumors
MAY 26 • HOCKEYBUZZ.COM
Jim Hiller will remain head coach of the Los Angeles Kings after having interim tag removed
Jim Hiller will continue to be the Los Angeles Kings head coach after having the interim tag removed by vice president and general manager Rob BlakeMAY 22 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bedard scores 2 again as Canada downs Denmark at hockey worlds
Connor Bedard scored twice again and added an assist as Canada eased past Denmark 5-1 for its second straight victory at the ice hockey world championshipMAY 12 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kings won't buy out Pierre-Luc Dubois, but GM Rob Blake is vague on other plans Rob Blake says the Kings have no intention of buying out Pierre-Luc Dubois' contract but is short on specifics about coaching and free agenc...
MAY 6 • LATIMES.COM
Is buying out Pierre-Luc Dubois the best move for the Kings? Dubois underperformed in his first season in L.A., and by cutting their losses now, the Kings could free up much-needed cap space.
MAY 4 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Duhatschek notebook: The L.A. Kings' awkward place with Pierre-Luc Dubois, and draft lottery luck L.A. has a simple, but expensive, solution to its Dubois problem — admit they made a grievous error and pay the man to go away.
MAY 3 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Nets goal in Game 1 loss Dubois scored a goal on three shots, added four PIM and dished out five hits in Monday's 7-4 loss to the Oilers in Game 1.
Impact Dubois' goal late in the third period was little more than window dressing in the high-scoring loss. The 25-year-old had five points over the last nine games of the regular season, finishing the campaign at 40 points in 82 appearances. He's still in a bottom-six role in the playoffs, and he'll likely stay there as long as both Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault are healthy.
APRIL 23 • ROTOWIRE
Tallies on power play Dubois scored a power-play goal on three shots in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Ducks.
Impact Dubois got the promotion to the top line since Anze Kopitar (undisclosed) did not play. The goal was Dubois' first since March 15, though he managed nine assists in the 13 contests between goals. The 25-year-old center is up to 16 tallies, 40 points, 146 shots on net, 95 hits, 70 PIM and a minus-9 rating through 80 appearances, though he's spent the vast majority of the campaign on the third line.
APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE
Plucks apple in win Dubois notched an assist in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Sharks.
Impact Dubois has four helpers over his last two contests, and nine assists over 10 games since his last goal. The 25-year-old center continues to fill in on the second line while Phillip Danault (upper body) is on the mend. Dubois has 39 points, 138 shots on net, 95 hits, 70 PIM and a minus-9 rating over 76 appearances this season, primarily in a third-line role.
APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE
Distributes three helpers in win Dubois notched three assists and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Kraken.
Impact Dubois helped out on all three goals of Trevor Moore's hat trick. After a three-game dry spell, it's a positive to see Dubois check in on offense, especially with Phillip Danault (upper body) out of the lineup. Dubois has eight helpers over nine games since his last goal, and the 25-year-old is at 38 points, 137 shots on net, 95 hits, 70 PIM and a minus-10 rating through 75 appearances this season.
APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE
Does Johnny Gaudreau have a bad contract? Pierre-Luc Dubois? Cap Court returns It’s time for another round of Cap Court, the feature in which we put NHL contracts on trial. Just how bad are these contracts?
MARCH 27 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Picks up assist in win Dubois notched an assist and two shots on goal in Monday's 3-2 win over the Canucks.
Impact Dubois remains warm -- he has a goal and six helpers over his last six contests while adding a plus-6 rating in that span. The 25-year-old set up Kevin Fiala's opening goal in the first period. Dubois is up to 35 points (15 goals, 20 helpers) through 71 contests, and he's tacked on 131 shots, 91 hits and 70 PIM. A strong finish to the year would help to partially salvage his otherwise unimpressive first campaign with the Kings.
MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE
Garners helper Saturday Dubois recorded an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Lightning.
Impact Dubois set up Trevor Moore's second-period tally. The 25-year-old Dubois has seen an improvement on offense of late, earning a goal and five assists over his last five appearances. The center is up to 34 points, 129 shots on net, 90 hits, 70 PIM and a minus-13 rating through 70 contests overall, putting him on track for the worst full-length campaign of his career.
MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE
Provides two assists in win Dubois notched two assists and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Blackhawks.
Impact Dubois has racked up five points over his last three games as he finds a groove late in the season. He helped out on the Kings' first and last goals in this game. The 25-year-old center is up to 33 points, 127 shots on net, 88 hits, 54 PIM and a minus-14 rating through 68 appearances. While he's put up better results lately, he remains on the Kings' third line.
MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE
