Why Capitals Chose To Send Kuemper To Kings For Dubois; GM MacLellan Makes Big Statement About Lindgren & D.C.'s Plans In Net

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals made quite the splash ahead of the NHL Draft and free agency on Wednesday, trading goaltender Darcy Kuemper to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forward Pierre-Luc Dubois.

The 1-for-1 trade is a swap of two players who had their share of struggles and inconsistency this past season and are looking for fresh starts. But for D.C., the trade is more than just bringing in help on offense; it's establishing a clear position in net.

MacLellan explained his excitement for Dubois and what he could bring to D.C., who certainly needs help on offense and gets that with the 6-foot-4 center, but also shared how Charlie Lindgren's rise was a big factor in setting the wheels in motion for the deal.

"We also thank Darcy for his valuable contributions to our organization on and off the ice and wish him the best in Los Angeles," MacLellan said in a statement. "After witnessing Charlie Lindgren's performance last season, we believe he deserves a chance to play a more significant role within our team."

Related: BREAKING: Capitals Acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois From Kings For Darcy Kuemper In Big Trade

Kuemper had signed a five-year, $26.25 million contract to be the Capitals' new starter in July 2022 after D.C. elected to move on from Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov. Charlie Lindgren was signed to a modest three-year deal worth $1.1 million per season to be the new backup.

However, Lindgren elevated his game to a whole new level this past season, leading him to steal the starting role from Kuemper as he appeared in 50 games and boasted a .912 save percentage for D.C. Kuemper played in just 33 outings, posting a career-worst .890 save percentage and 3.31 GAA.

Lindgren's play also helped D.C. return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after missing out completely in 2022-23. where Kuemper played in 57 games.

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This trade gives D.C. the help it needs up front and allows Lindgren to thrive and continue to show what he can do in a contract year for the Capitals. From here, he could earn an extension and show he can be a top No. 1 goalie at the highest level.

It also allows Hunter Shepard to come up next season and make a statement as the backup, though Clay Stevenson could also compete for NHL time as well.

As for Kuemper, he'll get a fresh start with a familiar organization that is in dire need of goaltending help, and it'll give him the chance to show he can still be a starter as he enters the latter part of his career.