Today, the LA Kings have officially acquired F Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets after days of rumors. In exchange, they gave up F Alex Iafallo, F Rasmus Kupari, F Gabriel Vilardi and a second-round draft pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. In addition, Dubois agreed to terms on an eight-year contract worth an average annual value (AAV) of $8,500,000 through the 2030-31 season. So who is Dubois and why did the Kings make this trade?
Pierre-Luc Dubois is Canadian Center who was drafted third overall in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He's been in the league for 6 seasons and currently entering his prime years. Dubois played for the Blue Jackets and the Winnipeg Jets, putting up 129 goals and 173 assists in 434 regular-season games. Dubois is starting to pick things up though. He had NHL career highs in assists (36) and points (63) and 27 goals in 73 regular-season games this/last season, and four points (two goals, two assists) in five Stanley Cup Playoff games. Not too bad but not the best. So why did the Kings give up so much to trade for him then?
Well, the Kings are looking for a playmaking force who can change a game, especially in the playoffs; someone who is a matchup problem in a series. And the Kings don't really have that right now. I know this seems like a really bad trade and that they gave up too much on someone who isn't a superstar but it's not about that. They couldn't get past the first round in the playoffs the last 2 seasons so that obviously means their current squad is not enough. Plus, this is just speculation but Dubois did not want to play for Jets so he probably didn't play his best there. Yes, Vilardi and Kupari are young still but Vilardi has dealt with injuries past few years and Kupari is progressing slowly and inconsistently. Iafallo was a nice and speedy skater but not the best offensively at times. One key thing to note is Kings had to give up all that for 8 years of Dubois entering his prime years. Kopitar is getting old and will likely be gone soon so they need a Center replacement. Byfield is not progressing into the superstar Kings we're looking for so the only proven Centers they currently have is Kopitar and Danualt (other than Dubois). This is a risky trade and totally understandable that losing 3 good players for 1 great player can feel like a lowball but it can be worth it and only time will tell if this trade was a great trade for the Kings. Currently, this trade is rated a C+ for me. Maybe one day can be an A.
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