In what was anticipated to be a boring Wednesday, the NHL has seen two large trades within the goaltending market happen. The Los Angeles Kings have traded heart Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitals for goaltender Darcy Kuemper. The Hockey Writers’ Jesse Courville-Lynch believed this commerce made sense, and the 2 groups agreed, offering a change of surroundings for the 2 former stars.
Why the Kings Made the Transfer
The Kings had excessive expectations heading into the 2023-24 season, largely due to their main acquisition of Dubois. In a blockbuster deal that despatched a number of key roster gamers to the Winnipeg Jets, Los Angeles anticipated Dubois to proceed his improvement into an NHL star. Following the commerce, he was prolonged to an eight-year contract price $68 million. After scoring 16 objectives and 40 factors in 82 video games this previous season, it was clear he was not a slot in Los Angeles.
Associated: What’s Behind Pierre-Luc Dubois’ Struggles This Season?
Moreover, the Kings struggled in internet. Each Cam Talbot and David Rittich had robust superior analytics, however they had been inconsistent, often giving up 4 to 5 objectives in a recreation. Whereas Rittich is signed for another season, Talbot is a free agent this offseason, and this commerce possible cements his path to becoming a member of a brand new crew.
Though Kuemper struggled this previous season, going 13-14-3 with a 3.31 objectives in opposition to common (GAA) and an .890 save proportion (SV%), he ought to nonetheless be considered as a succesful beginning goaltender within the NHL. He hung out with the Kings within the 2017-18 season, going 10-1-3 with a 2.10 GAA and .932 SV%. He gained the 2022 Stanley Cup because the Colorado Avalanche’s beginning goaltender and has established himself as a high 10 goaltender within the NHL at his greatest. This previous season was the primary time he completed with a sub-.900 SV% for the reason that 2017-18 season, largely a results of an intense workload. So, in a stronger defensive system, his numbers are sure to enhance.
A key distinction between Kuemper and Talbot is the previous’s skill to restrict rebounds and save high-danger scoring probabilities. Kuemper was one of many stronger goaltenders on the penalty kill this previous season however was even stronger in opposition to photographs from across the internet and slot. This marks a big change for Los Angeles, whose season ended as a result of their wrestle to forestall objectives across the internet, largely the results of Talbot’s efficiency points. By appointing Kuemper as their starter, the Kings intention to safe a extra dependable and promising goaltender in hopes of creating a deep playoff run.
Why the Capitals Made the Transfer
The rationale for the Capitals is simply as straightforward to know. For those who ignore Dubois’ seven remaining years on his hefty contract, they’re bringing in a 25-year-old heart with a 40+ objective upside. Since Nicklas Backstrom is unlikely to renew his NHL profession, no less than anytime quickly, the crew is in determined want of a first-line heart, and Dubois was essentially the most reasonable path to acquiring one.
Capitals basic supervisor Brian MacLellan spoke to the media after the commerce, stating “This acquisition brings in a gifted 25-year-old with immense potential to develop into 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 accountability and alternative.” There is no such thing as a doubt Dubois is filling a necessity for Washington, so including him for no important asset made sense within the eyes of the Capitals’ administration.
He has hung out on three groups in his previous 4 seasons and struggled to discover a spot in any of the lineups. As nicely, he has needed to study three completely different methods whereas having a number of head coaches who put him in dozens of various line combos. These struggles had been particularly prevalent this previous season in Los Angeles as he has had two head coaches and didn’t play in a line mixture for greater than 180 minutes. Now in Washington, he’s anticipated to fit in alongside celebrity Alexander Ovechkin and discover a constant function within the crew’s lineup.
In Los Angeles, Dubois usually discovered himself taking part in on the third line as a checking heart. He was often shifted across the lineup, stopping him from settling in and getting comfy. Given this, it’s nearly sure that he’ll enhance subsequent season. Not like Los Angeles, which has a number of top-six facilities, he’ll face minimal competitors in Washington, offering him with a wonderful alternative to start out robust subsequent season. This could permit him to return to his pure type of play and doubtlessly become the 30+ objective, 70+ level heart that Los Angeles had anticipated.
This swap between two struggling gamers has many followers nervous given their performances final season. Whereas these issues are honest, each gamers are sure to enhance, and their new groups are nice conditions to get thrown into. Whether or not it’s Kuemper becoming a member of a extra defensively sound system or Dubois lastly getting an opportunity as a first-line heart, count on each of those gamers to rebound of their 2024-25 seasons.
