The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper, it was announced today by president and general manager Brian MacLellan.
“We are thrilled to announce the addition of Pierre-Luc to the Caps organization,” said MacLellan. “This acquisition adds a talented 25-year-old player who has tremendous potential to become a top-tier centre in the NHL. With his size, exceptional skating and high hockey IQ, we believe he will thrive with increased responsibility and opportunity in our organization.”
We also thank Darcy for his valuable contributions to our organization on and off the ice and wish him all the best in Los Angeles. After watching Charlie Lindgren's performance last season, we believe he deserves the opportunity to play a more significant role on our team.”
Dubois, 25, recorded 40 points (16 G, 24 A) in 82 games with Los Angeles in 2023-24. The 6’4”, 225-pound forward ranked third in Los Angeles in power-play goals (7), seventh in goals and eighth in points. During the 2022-23 season, Dubois set 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 the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dubois has recorded 342 points (145 G, 197 A). In addition, Dubois has recorded 27 points (11 G, 16 A) in 43 career playoff games. The native of Ste-Agathe-Des-Monts, Quebec was originally selected in the first round, third overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets 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 (17 G, 19 A). 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 selected in the fourth round (No. 76) by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1989 NHL Draft.
Kuemper, 34, posted a 13-14-3 record with a 3.31 goals-against average, .890 save percentage and one shutout in 33 games with Washington in 2023-24. Kuemper, who signed with Washington as a free agent on July 13, 2022, has a 178-135-46 record with a 2.61 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and 31 shutouts in 389 career games with the Capitals, Colorado Avalanche, Arizona Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild.