Pierre-Luc Dubois has been traded in one-for-one major move!

On Wednesday afternoon, reports emerge that the Los Angeles Kings have traded forward Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitals.

The Caps are sending back goalie Darcy Kuemper in a one for one trade, with no salary retention. 

After his disappointing first season in Los Angeles, in which Dubois played all 82 games, but collected just 16 goals and 24 assists, and his average ice time of 15:42 was nearly two minutes below his previous career average of 17:37, the road is over for him with the Kings. 

When he first came to LA from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for fellow forwards Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, and Rasmus Kupari, as well as a second-round pick in this year’s draft, everyone had high expectations for Dubois. He was signed to an eight-year, $68-million contract shortly before he was sent to the Kings as part of a sign-and-trade, but as you know, the past season got people wondering if LA is the right spot for him. He will be entering his eighth NHL season on his fourth different team.

Dubois, according insider Pierre LeBrun, was not able to use his  full no-move, which was kicking in July 1, but is reportedly excited for the trade to Washington. He will now have to prove his worth next to Alex Ovechkin and the Caps, who take on the remainder of the full deal. 

This is from Dubois's agent Pat Brisson: "PLD is currently on a plane; however, I was able to exchange with him regarding the opportunity to play for the Washington Capitals. He is very excited and looking forward to the challenge.”

The 34-year-old netminder has three seasons left on current deal at $5.25M cap hit and holds a 10-team no trade clause in that contract. Kuemper is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2026-27 season. He had a 13-14-3 record last season with a .890 save percentage and 3.31 goals-against average. He was a member of the Avalanche when Colorado won its first Stanley Cup in 21 years in 2022 by registering a 10-4 record with a .902 save percentage and 2.57 GAA during their playoff run.

This is Kuemper’s second stint with the Kings, as he has also played for the Minnesota Wild, Arizona Coyotes, Avalanche, and Capitals.

The Kings made the transition official moments later, with some fans arguing that they basically parted ways with Vilardi, Iafallo, Kupari, a pick and Dubois for the services of Kuemper. That's one way to look at it... A very brutally honest one.