The Pros And Cons Of The Boom Or Bust Pierre-Luc Dubois Trade

Con - Did They Add Another?

I believe there is a saying in life that goes something like this, "Don't solve a problem by creating another". That's a pretty easy tip to understand. If you have a giant hole that you need to fill in don't dig another hole to fill it in. Because guess what? You filled in the hole, but then you turn around and there is another one.

Yes, the Capitals got rid of one problem they had by trading a higher priced goalie who was not living up to his contract. But they traded for someone who is even more high paid, who is also badly not living up to his contract that he just signed.

Dubois can be a fantastic player. But he hasn't been lately. After getting traded from the Winnipeg Jets to the Kings last off-season he signed an 8 year, $65 million contract. Here we are, a week away from that being one year ago and he has already been traded. The Kings were fed up after one year.

It's easy to see why. When you sign someone to a big contract and the very next season you see that same guy playing on the fourth line at multiple points of the season. It's easy to understand when you see that same guy putting up career low numbers, at least in a full season, scoring 16 goals and 40 points playing in all 82 games for his new team. His previous career low being 18 goals and 49 points in 19-20 (a fullish season stopped by a pandemic of course) when he was with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Yes, the Capitals solved one problem they had. But they might have added an even bigger one in the process.

But...

Pro - If This Works

Wow this could be an absolute steal, highway robbery, put him in hockey prison for life for crimes against fellow GM's, for Brian MacLellan.

If this works the Capitals acquired a top six center, a guy capable of potting nearly thirty goals and sixty plus points and they didn't really have to give anything up. They were able to add a 25-year-old, turning twenty-six in just a few days, happy birthday to the newest Capital, with an eight year deal already signed. Dubois isn't a free agent until the summer of 2031.

It's even kind of hard to say anything else about this. What else can you say? If this works this could be the best move by MacLellan during his time in control of the Capitals. You traded away a problem contract for a top six center. I have to imagine GM's dream about that kind of move, and he just pulled it off.