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NHL Rumors: Los Angeles Kings preferred to settle down with $26,250,000 Capitals goalie than Bruins' Linus Ullmark
The Los Angeles Kings chose goalie Darcy Kuemper over Bruins' Linus Ullmark. Kuemper had a five-year contract worth $26,250,000 with the Washington Capitals, which he signed in July 2022.
On the other hand, Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins is younger and has strong stats, saving 14.8 goals above expectation in 2023-24. His contract runs through 2025, one year less than Kuemper's.
After the trade, NHL insider Jimmy Murphy shared why Kuemper's move to the Kings is not a "surprise."
"I just confirmed once again with a high-ranking #GoKingsGo source that they weren't the team that #NHLBruins goalie Linus Ullmark vetoed a trade to at the Trade Deadline. They were in on him but it never got that far. So, it doesn't surprise me they acquired Kuemper and not him," Murphy wrote on X.
Ullmark's partial no-trade clause complicates his market value and restricts trade options, affecting the Bruins' bargaining power. Meanwhile, Kuemper's contract until 2027 provides stability, contrasting with Ullmark's shorter deal until 2025.
Despite Ullmark's impressive performance metrics, such as saving 14.8 goals above expectation in the 2023-24 season, teams like the Kings consider factors beyond on-ice statistics.
Los Angeles Kings GM acknowledges fit challenges
On Wednesday, Pierre-Luc Dubois was traded from the Los Angeles Kings to the Washington Capitals in exchange for goalie Darcy Kuemper. Last season with the Kings, Dubois recorded 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists) in 82 games and scored one goal in the playoffs before their exit. He had joined the Kings from the Winnipeg Jets in June 2023 and signed a long-term contract.
The Kings general manager, Rob Blake, acknowledged the challenges of fitting Dubois effectively into their lineup. Dubois was originally drafted third overall by Columbus in 2016 and has scored 342 points in his NHL career spanning three teams.
“Well, I don’t think I did a good enough job of integrating him in the right roles on the team here this year,” Blake said via (NHL.com). “You know, I think it wasn’t a great fit in that aspect for us, and we’ll take responsibility for that.”
Capitals GM Brian MacLellan thanked Kuemper for his contributions and wished him well in Los Angeles.
“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. "After witnessing Charlie Lindgren's performance last season, we believe he deserves a chance to play a more significant role within our team."
Meanwhile, Kuemper returns to the Los Angeles Kings following his time with the Capitals, where he posted a 13-14-3 record last season. He is expected to split goaltending duties with David Rittich for the Kings.
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