Well-travelled forward rebounds from disappointing campaign with Kings
From afar, it looks like this latest shock to the system has resonated with Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Being involved in a blockbuster deal in consecutive summers was not something the former Winnipeg Jets centre would have had on his bingo card, but that’s exactly what happened to the player chosen third overall in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Moved by the Jets to the Los Angeles Kings in June of 2023 for a package that included forwards Gabe Vilardi, Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari and a second-round pick in 2024 that became Swedish D-man Alfons Frejs, last season didn’t go anywhere close to as planned.
So rather than wait for a potential bounce-back campaign, the Kings decided to move on from Dubois, shipping him to the Washington Capitals, less than one year after he signed an eight-year extension (technically with the Jets).
Dubois is set to face the Jets on Saturday night for the first time with his latest new team.
Earlier this week, prior to the Capitals game against the Ottawa Senators, Dubois was asked about his departure from the Kings and the fit in Washington.
“A lot happens in hockey, people talk about a lot of things but I knew what kind of player I was from just the year before,” Dubois said, referring to the 27 goals and career-high 63 points he had in 71 games for the Jets in 2022-23.
“Last year (with the Kings), I know it wasn’t a great year for me but I knew it wasn’t who I was as a player. In those moments, when you’re at your low, you can’t really say anything and you can’t defend yourself. You just get piled on and you go out there the next season and go back to the drawing board and get back to work.”
Dubois shared his appreciation for the belief his Capitals teammates and coaches have shown in him.
So far this season, Dubois has done his part to silence some of his critics.
Although he got off to a slow start offensively, Dubois has been playing well and is up to 11 goals and 41 points in 51 games.
Has Dubois finally found the fit he’s been searching for with what is now his fourth NHL organization?
Only time will tell over the course of the six-plus years that remain on his lucrative, long-term contract, but the early returns have been positive for both the player and the team.
“I can’t compare it really because they’re all different situations, but here is everything I’ve been looking for, really,” said Dubois.
As it turns out, this trade falls under the category of one that is benefitting both teams.
The Kings, who got goalie Darcy Kuemper, who is in the fourth year of a five-year deal that carries an AAV of US$5.25 million.
Kuemper has been limited to 27 games due to injury, but he’s delivered excellent goaltending for the Kings in a tandem with former Jets backup David Rittich.
Kuemper, who helped the Colorado Avalanche capture the Stanley Cup in 2022, is 14-6-6 with a 2.13 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.
