Confirmed with Link: Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kuapri, Gabe Vilardi + 2024 2nd round pick to Winnipeg for Pierre-Luc Dubois

[Chazz Reinhold]

This is a couple of years old but it has a pretty thorough analysis based on film study of Dubois: Pierre-Luc Dubois film study: What we learned about new Jet

 

[KINGS17]

Is this guy going to be the second coming of Dmitri Khristich?

​

 

[KingsFan7824]

Unless executive management above the GM, has an unwritten but discussed rule about not going the full rebuild route as their strategy.
And that is my suspicion.
Make the playoffs every year. Franchise relevance, Uncle Phil is getting old and may be forced to sell upon any age related issues.

It's entirely possible that they just want to make a couple bucks to make up for all the money they wasted since re-signing Quick hours after the first Cup. They got one good season, 13-14, from any contract signed post-June 2012. And that year, that ridiculous run, one of the craziest in any sport, had no legitimate right to happen the way it did. Every step of the way, even against the Rangers, they probably should've lost. Any other year, they lose any one of the 4 series. 1,000 Game 7's on the road, down 0-3, having to win every home game in a series in sudden death OT, no goals from your 1C in the last 2 rounds, losing multiple veteran D-men to injury, etc, etc, etc. A lot of that happened in 2013, and they barely got to the 3rd rd, and showed they didn't really belong there that year anyway.

Yes, and every time he did, there was a clear top line player who was young and cost controlled. So he took bets that were timed for the primes of his best players. Who were also in the top of 25’ish league at that time.

Is it so hard to see why Blake’s best players have never been as good as Lombardi’s? Did Lombardi sign veteran Handzus to play with solid 1C Conroy? No he gave the job to the prospect with the long term upside and the bet paid off.

But according to you, it’s all up to chance and not a reflection on managerial competence. We should all be so lucky to have zero expectations in life.

Is it so hard to see that the franchise DL inherited was not in the same situation as the one Blake did? I do not care if Blake is a good or bad GM, or if he's the Kings GM or not. Fire him yesterday.

It's not about having zero expectations. It's about how I see the reality of the Kings in a given moment. If the franchise gives zero indication of trading Kopitar or Doughty, A) there's no true rebuild, and B) why does anyone keep speculating on where they should go and and what they should get in return for 8 years? It's just pulling names out of thin air.

DL didn't inherit the aging face of an all-time Kings franchise C with a $10m contract and 2 Cups as a King to his name. There are just certain realistic possibilities for a team to do at a given time. Since he's still putting out 60, 70+ point seasons, he's not going to be put on the 3rd line so two young guys can get valuable playing time on the top 2 lines. It's unrealistic to think it's going to happen. If the franchise was wiling to retain 50% and get nothing back, he could've been traded instead. It's just unrealistic to think it's going to happen.

In a scenario where I have no say in what happens, good or bad, I like to dwell in the realistic. Of course DL is going to go all in for Kopitar's last good contract year. Whether it's Lucic or someone else, he was getting someone, and Richards and Carter aren't always available to get. Without the Cups, and 14-15 happens, then of course you don't trade for Lucic, and wait to see how bad the 15-16 team is, then trade Kopitar at the 2016 deadline. That's not going to happen with 2 very recent Cups though. Vegas missed the playoffs last year, won the Cup this year. That could've happened for the Kings in 15-16.

 

[Schrute farms]

You guys always complain like a bitch

That's like saying people at the bar drink too much.

 

[Mats26]

My take on the trade and offseason so far (after I finished my bender)
I think we paid too much, a lot of value went over to acquire PLD. There was a bidding war with Montreal, or other teams, no question.

Why did we make this trade and why now? 25 year old centers entering their primes do not get on the market often. It also means insurance in case Kopi hangs them up or wants big $$$ to return. So the timing of it was ideal for the Kings. Keeps us competitive even post Kopitar. Note: Prospects we drafted are not able to fill in as 1C. Vilardi crashed at 2C a few years back and Byfield is simply not ready.

Did we get better? Lets' see the complaints from last year:

- Durzi - Edler paring was a disaster
- Durzi playing on the left
- Fiala playing with Lizotte
- Quick\Petersen tandom, no words here.
- LD size issue
- Edler should of retired
- Petersen's contract
- Having Danault as the 1C if Kopi gets injured.
- Prospects not playing in the top 6
- Playing Walker instead of Spence


We still have the goaltending situation to figure out but for the most part all of the above was fixed in the last few weeks, even though I think we paid heavily to fix those issues.

I expect more kids in the lineup to fit their roles, which we all wanted. Kaliyev should see more ice time this year. Fiala gets a center with size and skill. Gavri was signed.

Overall we are a good team, not contenders yet but it's good to see 5-6 kids making their way onto the roster.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

My take on the trade and offseason so far (after I finished my bender)
I think we paid too much, a lot of value went over to acquire PLD. There was a bidding war with Montreal, or other teams, no question.

Why did we make this trade and why now? 25 year old centers entering their primes do not get on the market often. It also means insurance in case Kopi hangs them up or wants big $$$ to return. So the timing of it was ideal for the Kings. Keeps us competitive even post Kopitar. Note: Prospects we drafted are not able to fill in as 1C. Vilardi crashed at 2C a few years back and Byfield is simply not ready.

Did we get better? Lets' see the complaints from last year:

- Durzi - Edler paring was a disaster
- Durzi playing on the left
- Fiala playing with Lizotte
- Quick\Petersen tandom, no words here.
- LD size issue
- Edler should of retired
- Petersen's contract
- Having Danault as the 1C if Kopi gets injured.
- Prospects not playing in the top 6
- Playing Walker instead of Spence


We still have the goaltending situation to figure out but for the most part all of the above was fixed in the last few weeks, even though I think we paid heavily to fix those issues.

I expect more kids in the lineup to fit their roles, which we all wanted. Kaliyev should see more ice time this year. Fiala gets a center with size and skill. Gavri was signed.

Overall we are a good team, not contenders yet but it's good to see 5-6 kids making their way onto the roster.

A lot of are compliants are at least attempting to be addressed.

I WANT To give Blake some credit for that, but it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth because several of us have been complaining about the exact issues for coming up on a third season now...so by the time Rob got off his ass to attack the issues, not only was he settling for PLD instead of Eichel, he's paying out the ass in assets since he waited till the wound became infected and GMs see the diagnosis.

It is what it is, going to have to see how this offseason plays out and will reserve judgment, but so help me god, if opening night we're rolling out PLD-Lizotte-MacEwen...

 

[Mats26]

A lot of are compliants are at least attempting to be addressed.

I WANT To give Blake some credit for that, but it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth because several of us have been complaining about the exact issues for coming up on a third season now...so by the time Rob got off his ass to attack the issues, not only was he settling for PLD instead of Eichel, he's paying out the ass in assets since he waited till the wound became infected and GMs see the diagnosis.

It is what it is, going to have to see how this offseason plays out and will reserve judgment, but so help me god, if opening night we're rolling out PLD-Lizotte-MacEwen...

The Eichel situation was just timing. We drafted Turcotte then QB for centers and we still had hope for Vilardi\Kupari as top 9 centers. We also then signed Danault. No question if Eichel was available today, they would of sent half the prospects for him. But I agree, Blake waits way to long to fix issues. At least he knows now that no prospect will fill Kopitar's shoes in the short-mid term.

 

[bland]

A lot of are compliants are at least attempting to be addressed.

I WANT To give Blake some credit for that, but it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth because several of us have been complaining about the exact issues for coming up on a third season now...so by the time Rob got off his ass to attack the issues, not only was he settling for PLD instead of Eichel, he's paying out the ass in assets since he waited till the wound became infected and GMs see the diagnosis.

It is what it is, going to have to see how this offseason plays out and will reserve judgment, but so help me god, if opening night we're rolling out PLD-Lizotte-MacEwen...

Its just a case of being reactionary instead of being proactive. Blake is playing from behind, he isn't dictating. And the things he is "fixing" weren't issues that just developed, they are problems he created for himself.

There is nothing wrong with the names he brought in or sent out. There are some good decisions made - the right ones too - its that his manner of getting to those obvious points is too late and therefore too costly.

Its an unhealthy organization constantly sevond guessing itself and playing catchup. The reason so many of us demanded/welcomed a rebuild is that it is such a rare opportunity to get your house in order, determine a new identity, and play from the front foot. Of course it doesn't guarantee success, but it gives you a much stronger measure of control.

Blake pissed it away chasing something he could never catch. That is why it is so depressing, you would expect your executives to know better.

 

[Statto]

Its just a case of being reactionary instead of being proactive. Blake is playing from behind, he isn't dictating. And the things he is "fixing" weren't issues that just developed, they are problems he created for himself.

There is nothing wrong with the names he brought in or sent out. There are some good decisions made - the right ones too - its that his manner of getting to those obvious points is too late and therefore too costly.

Its an unhealthy organization constantly sevond guessing itself and playing catchup. The reason so many of us demanded/welcomed a rebuild is that it is such a rare opportunity to get your house in order, determine a new identity, and play from the front foot. Of course it doesn't guarantee success, but it gives you a much stronger measure of control.

Blake pissed it away chasing something he could never catch. That is why it is so depressing, you would expect your executives to know better.

I wonder how much of it firstly is Luc setting the high level strategy that he needed to work to (retool vs rebuild) and how much of it is that he was a rookie GM. I’d be interested to know in terms of approach (not so much individual decisions because that’s too easy with 20/20 hindsight) if he’d do it differently in terms of the approach he’s used.

1. So would he handle contracts differently (less term and/or AAV).
2. Not bring in veterans when he did.
3. 100% defer to the scouting team in draft picks.
4. Most importantly would he then use the kids in a position to succeed and learn in the NHL vs AHL. Then add key veterans (noting 11,8,23,32 we’re there to provide scaffolding).

He’s made some mistakes no doubt and I wouldn’t expect anything else, all GM’s. I do think, for where we are, it’s been a decent summer but as you say earlier decisions have made it costly. I like that he’s being aggressive.

The big strategic error for me has been the timing of signing Danault and RV because it should be about trying to build an extended competitive window whereas we are in what will be a short one. That’s the issue here. It could have been a Boston situation but they put the cart before the horse. We could have then used our young assets more aggressively rather than having a bunch of guys losing value.

He has though ended up with a decent side here that needs another goaltender and if they can find some grit also, it could be a very competitive side - even if it isn’t for as long a window as we’d like. Despite the errors, there have been there are fans of other sides that have waited far longer for what we have. So I will focus on the positive, as I always try to do, because it may well be a fun season.

 

[bland]

I wonder how much of it firstly is Luc setting the high level strategy that he needed to work to (retool vs rebuild) and how much of it is that he was a rookie GM. I’d be interested to know in terms of approach (not so much individual decisions because that’s too easy with 20/20 hindsight) if he’d do it differently in terms of the approach he’s used.

1. So would he handle contracts differently (less term and/or AAV).
2. Not bring in veterans when he did.
3. 100% defer to the scouting team in draft picks.
4. Most importantly would he then use the kids in a position to succeed and learn in the NHL vs AHL. Then add key veterans (noting 11,8,23,32 we’re there to provide scaffolding).

He’s made some mistakes no doubt and I wouldn’t expect anything else, all GM’s. I do think, for where we are, it’s been a decent summer but as you say earlier decisions have made it costly. I like that he’s being aggressive.

The big strategic error for me has been the timing of signing Danault and RV because it should be about trying to build an extended competitive window whereas we are in what will be a short one. That’s the issue here. It could have been a Boston situation but they put the cart before the horse. We could have then used our young assets more aggressively rather than having a bunch of guys losing value.

He has though ended up with a decent side here that needs another goaltender and if they can find some grit also, it could be a very competitive side - even if it isn’t for as long a window as we’d like. Despite the errors, there have been there are fans of other sides that have waited far longer for what we have. So I will focus on the positive, as I always try to do, because it may well be a fun season.

Yeah, I mean I am excited to have Dubois, and glad that Spence and Clarke get their shots. But I also know that the Kings main strength was three scoring lines filled with tenacious wingers and that took a serious blow.

I also know that they haven't addressed their need for players that can grind out late leads along the walls, and that their weaknesses have been increased by losing Iafallo's board and defensive work. The goalie situation is straight up bush league management.

Its activity, but the same problems are here but amplified - and they took a serious blow to their depth with the loss of so many bodies. Any injuries this year will be devastating.

 

[Rorschach]

We need a GM for that can properly negotiate with the players’ agents instead of being a players’ GM. When people get signed for too much, that’s when they get shipped to AZ/CBJ/Peg, etc. and we have to pay assets to dump cap. At least Lombardi waited until after the Cup win before getting out the big boy’s checkbook.

 

[yankeeking]

It's entirely possible that they just want to make a couple bucks to make up for all the money they wasted since re-signing Quick hours after the first Cup. They got one good season, 13-14, from any contract signed post-June 2012. And that year, that ridiculous run, one of the craziest in any sport, had no legitimate right to happen the way it did. Every step of the way, even against the Rangers, they probably should've lost. Any other year, they lose any one of the 4 series. 1,000 Game 7's on the road, down 0-3, having to win every home game in a series in sudden death OT, no goals from your 1C in the last 2 rounds, losing multiple veteran D-men to injury, etc, etc, etc. A lot of that happened in 2013, and they barely got to the 3rd rd, and showed they didn't really belong there that year anyway.



Is it so hard to see that the franchise DL inherited was not in the same situation as the one Blake did? I do not care if Blake is a good or bad GM, or if he's the Kings GM or not. Fire him yesterday.

It's not about having zero expectations. It's about how I see the reality of the Kings in a given moment. If the franchise gives zero indication of trading Kopitar or Doughty, A) there's no true rebuild, and B) why does anyone keep speculating on where they should go and and what they should get in return for 8 years? It's just pulling names out of thin air.

DL didn't inherit the aging face of an all-time Kings franchise C with a $10m contract and 2 Cups as a King to his name. There are just certain realistic possibilities for a team to do at a given time. Since he's still putting out 60, 70+ point seasons, he's not going to be put on the 3rd line so two young guys can get valuable playing time on the top 2 lines. It's unrealistic to think it's going to happen. If the franchise was wiling to retain 50% and get nothing back, he could've been traded instead. It's just unrealistic to think it's going to happen.

In a scenario where I have no say in what happens, good or bad, I like to dwell in the realistic. Of course DL is going to go all in for Kopitar's last good contract year. Whether it's Lucic or someone else, he was getting someone, and Richards and Carter aren't always available to get. Without the Cups, and 14-15 happens, then of course you don't trade for Lucic, and wait to see how bad the 15-16 team is, then trade Kopitar at the 2016 deadline. That's not going to happen with 2 very recent Cups though. Vegas missed the playoffs last year, won the Cup this year. That could've happened for the Kings in 15-16.

Dude you been saying this for years , you claim to dwell in the realistic , the reality is we won two cups in three years and lost in the WCF to the other dominant team of the era in the third that’s the reality not what’s in your head , this is sports and why they play the games , there is so much to winning ,heart, determination, and sometimes just damn will that has a lesser team win out but that doesn’t happen over a three year period. And to the point that DL inherited a much better franchise than Blake is again revisionist history , yes he was lucky to get kopi but quick was a complete unknown who forced his way on to the team after quitting school early because he want to beat out bernier to the job again will and determination , DL made right and wrong choices but more right and that’s why they won , quick,Mitchell, Williams, Scudari, green and stoll, that’s the reality not the trade you hated the most Richards enough let the past be the past

 

[KINGS17]

Its just a case of being reactionary instead of being proactive. Blake is playing from behind, he isn't dictating. And the things he is "fixing" weren't issues that just developed, they are problems he created for himself.

There is nothing wrong with the names he brought in or sent out. There are some good decisions made - the right ones too - its that his manner of getting to those obvious points is too late and therefore too costly.

Its an unhealthy organization constantly sevond guessing itself and playing catchup. The reason so many of us demanded/welcomed a rebuild is that it is such a rare opportunity to get your house in order, determine a new identity, and play from the front foot. Of course it doesn't guarantee success, but it gives you a much stronger measure of control.

Blake pissed it away chasing something he could never catch. That is why it is so depressing, you would expect your executives to know better.

Hey, hey, hey! If you just make the playoffs, anything can happen. - Kings philosophy prior to Lombardi's arrival and after his departure.

Of course this philosophy has yielded much success as witnessed by the great playoff runs the last two seasons.

Add to it the expiration of a boat anchor contract after next season that produced absolutely nothing in terms of the organization's success, and the Kings are exactly where some knew they would be at this point in time.

 

[bland]

Hey, hey, hey! If you just make the playoffs, anything can happen. - Kings philosophy prior to Lombardi's arrival and after his departure.

Of course this philosophy has yielded much success as witnessed by the great playoff runs the last two seasons.

Add to it the expiration of a boat anchor contract after next season that produced absolutely nothing in terms of the organization's success, and the Kings are exactly where some knew they would be at this point in time.

Technically the same thing happening twice in a row is "anything", I guess.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Bowness on PLD last season



(twitter now requires login so here's the quote)

Found this quote from Jets head coach Rick Bowness talking about Pierre-Luc Dubois during a postgame presser in January.

“I know Dubois has 20 goals now and he’s up there in scoring but he’s very underrated defensively.

He’s a solid two-way player right now. He really is, and you give him a lot of credit for that, because he uses his size and his reach and his strength at both ends of the rink now.

He’s going to score and he’s going to create offense but if you watch him compete in our zone and you watch his reads, he does a really good job defensively. That’s an underrated part of his game.”

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

crossing fingers that we get THAT guy

 

[LilBallofHate]

Every interview I've seen with this guy I like, he loves to travel and food and seems like a good dude. Don't care about Columbus and Winnipeg, ya those are amazing for things.. .NOT. He's going to be the shit for us

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Montreal media can't stop obsessing over French Canadian players.

I can understand him. There was some positive fans about him but the agressivity of his haters would have ruined his chances in Mtl. Relatives of players receive treats message for just 2 bad games or one bad period. There is an old fight between french and anglos in this province, a minority because in everyday life they is no acts of violence. They call it the two solitudes.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

If I have to compare both players, I will transform them into cars, a subject I like to talk about.
Vilardi would be a Maserati 1998.
PLD would be a Porshe 911 turbo 2009.
Stronger, faster and able to run many km before parts change.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Danault now Dubois, any other French connections Luc can work?

delete

 

[Johnnucleo]

Can confirm. I live in Winnipeg and it f***ing blows.

I legitimately can't believe millionaire NHL players come here

I live in WPG, and yes its definitely not a place someone in their 20's wants to live. Guys with families though I think don't mind it. Weather aside, decent place to raise a family, pretty chill city, good education, low cost of living (I know they are rich, but not all NHL'ers are making millions), don't have to worry about kids getting shot up at school, etc.

On Dubois - On nights where he has come to play, he's a beast out there. Worth every penny of his new contract. The issue is he takes way too many nights off. He also plays a style that is hard on your body, and I reckon his usefulness, which is way more than just scoring pts, will dip over time for sure.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I live in WPG, and yes its definitely not a place someone in their 20's wants to live. Guys with families though I think don't mind it. Weather aside, decent place to raise a family, pretty chill city, good education, low cost of living (I know they are rich, but not all NHL'ers are making millions), don't have to worry about kids getting shot up at school, etc.

On Dubois - On nights where he has come to play, he's a beast out there. Worth every penny of his new contract. The issue is he takes way too many nights off. He also plays a style that is hard on your body, and I reckon his usefulness, which is way more than just scoring pts, will dip over time for sure.

Just had to sneak that in there didn’t ya champ?

 

[FrozenKing18]

Just had to sneak that in there didn’t ya champ?

Jokes like that always give me a chuckle but at the same time its fukn sad. Now that i’ve become a father, I cant believe this is going to be in the back of my mind when my little one goes to school.

Anyways, back on topic. I hope PLD works out here and play his best seasons in LA.

 

[YP44]

PLD is jackle and hide type player.

 

[Mats26]

The one thing that caught my attention from all the PLD trade interviews was that he said, "he stills needs to learn the 200 foot game and grow as a player" . I don't know much about the other teams bidding on him other than Montreal, but if I'm a young center entering his prime, I would much rather be mentored by Kopi and Danault that any other player(s) in the league. It was setup to fail for him in Montreal and he knows that.