Unlike the Jacob Markstrom to New Jersey trade that had been teased for months if not a year, this bombshell came out of nowhere.  

The Capitals are taking on some huge term, banking on Pierre-Luc Dubois to rebound, meanwhile the Kings fix their hole in net while shedding immediate salary, but also adding flexibility in the future because of the shorter term on Darcy Kuemper's deal.

Kumeper goes from an overpaid backup in Washington to either a platoon or outright starter in LA alongside David Rittich. Kuemper has the longer and more successful track record, but don't count out Rittich next year, having played with the team last year, outperforming Kuemper, and being 31 compared to the 34-year-old Kuemper. Regardless, it's an overall upgrade for LA who can fill the centre slot internally, and doesn't have to pay any first rounders or other assets to fill their goaltending hole or unload Dubois. Likely some of the minutes will be soaked up by Phillip Danault, while this provides Alex Turcotte with a very clear opportunity to seize a full-time roster spot.

Meanwhile, the Capitals recently helped Dylan Strome regain his form as a top-six centre, and perhaps they see some parallels with Dubois. As the contracts of Alex Ovechkin and Niklas Backstrom gradually come off the books, Dubois' contract doesn't hinder them much at all, and they can take a swing on the upside of another former third-overall selection.

Over his two full seasons in Winnipeg Dubois was a 65-point player, but dropped back to a 40-point third liner in LA. If the fit is better, maybe he gets back to being at least a 60-point second line centre, like Strome has finally become his past two seasons in Washington. Dubois can't be worse than what he did in LA this year, and he turns 25 this week. There is still plenty of runway left.

On the Washinton depth chart this fills the hole left by Evgeny Kuznetsov, which means there aren't huge changes. It's just one extra body taking ice time away from youngsters like Connor McMichael, Aleksei Protas, Hendrix Lapierre, and others.

This anoints Charlie Lindgren as the full-time starter next year, but expect a veteran backup to be brought in to support as well. The Capitals won't want to burden Lindgren with 60+ games.

Who this helps:

Darcy Kuemper

Charlie Lindgren

P.L. Dubois

Phillip Danault

Alex Turcotte

Who this hurts:

Aleksei Protas

Connor McMichael