Dubois

[johnjm22]

You'd think that at the very least that even the possibility of a buy out would motivate him.

There's been so many times this year where I thought for sure a scenario would motivate him.

Finally got traded to where he wants to be! Nope
Playing his former team Winnipeg. Nope.
Playing his former team Columbus. Nope.
Playing against Tortorella? Nope.
Playing his hometown team Montreal. Nope.
TMac calls him out publicly! Nope.
Danault injured, need PLD to step up! Nope.

Next one is gonna be the playoffs.

After the all star break he played a handful of good games. And since then I'd say his base line has been a bit higher than it was the first half of the season. But overall he's been terrible. Probably had about 5 good games all season.

 

[fivehole32]

The thing I am curious about is does Blake or anyone from the front office take him aside and talk to him? Or are they in such an echo chamber they think everything will just magically turn around one day. At some point it has to be talked about, everyone on the media side of the Kings is now beating around the bush about it, so you have to think internally there are discussions of what a slug PLD is on the ice. Probably can't yell at him because he is fragile and might go further into his shell.

 

[Schrute farms]

I doubt PLD wants his sugar daddy fired because it would lead to a buyout this summer causing PLD to lose ~20 million dollars when compared to a buyout the following year.

PLD getting Blake fired is just what everyone expected when the trade happened. It has already been factored into his reputation.

Yeah i agree actually. Which is why i think the buy-out talk is wishful thinking. So much would have to happen before it could even be considered. Blak would need to get fired -- no way he's able/willing to buy PLD out if he's still the GM. Even if Blake is canned, the new guy would need to not be the French connection.

Now if Blake gets canned....and they don't hire you-know-who...and Luc goes (he might req PLD to stay) too....then it can be considered. But even if all that happens, it would be historic -- amount, age, etc. Would AEG accept it? Lots of obstacles -- seemingly way too many.

 

[Surf Nutz]

More imoprtantly, we get about $7 mil a year to use on a more useful player. Like a f***ing goalie

Really there are no higher goalies available without giving up major assets and there are rumors Blake tried.
Regardless for what Blake paid, we have more bang for the buck than any team.

You just can't blame the tenders more than the guys in front of them.

The Kings need to bear down and get the puck out of their zone when its on their stick even if its an icing.

They get hemmed in and the result is a goal against or a penalty against.

Danault is like the invisible Pilar of this team and its never been clearer.

Blake's best move by far, for now.

I anticipated the Kings making the playoffs and Blake being here for another season but falling out of the playoffs could force ownership to make a move.

The team has crumbled without Danault and Hiller has yet to solve that gaping wound.

 

[Kudelski37]

Yeah i agree actually. Which is why i think the buy-out talk is wishful thinking. So much would have to happen before it could even be considered. Blak would need to get fired -- no way he's able/willing to buy PLD out if he's still the GM. Even if Blake is canned, the new guy would need to not be the French connection.

Now if Blake gets canned....and they don't hire you-know-who...and Luc goes (he might req PLD to stay) too....then it can be considered. But even if all that happens, it would be historic -- amount, age, etc. Would AEG accept it? Lots of obstacles -- seemingly way too many.

If Blake gets fired due to the PLD trade, then PLD will be bought out this summer. Anything else needed to happen is already part of the decision making on Blake's job.

 

[Surf Nutz]

The thing I am curious about is does Blake or anyone from the front office take him aside and talk to him? Or are they in such an echo chamber they think everything will just magically turn around one day. At some point it has to be talked about, everyone on the media side of the Kings is now beating around the bush about it, so you have to think internally there are discussions of what a slug PLD is on the ice. Probably can't yell at him because he is fragile and might go further into his shell.

Yeah, lunch with Bergevin and Robitaille but their ideas are even worse and would set the Kings back to the 1960's.

And judging from the LA Galaxy, in conjunction with the Kings the problem goes all the way up to Beckerman and its hard to fire guys in the Bohemian Grove.

We are still haunted by the ghost of Tod McLlelan and his get ahead and then completely spin out in games, playoffs and the season.
I already like Hiller better but obviously he is under review and needs to figure out how to cobble the lineup together when big pieces are injured.

 

[head eyes]

Hard to ignore the daily train wreck comments.

Especially moving my frozen finger out of the air to my keyboard.

PLD is going nowhere and he may not be happy with his linemates and 3rd line slot.

He needs better linemates and more minutes.

Even though he has not earned it for most of the games, I would bump PLD up with Kopitar and Kempe, and but Byfield at 2c , especially if Danault is still out.

Byfield has also been not that good lately. Swap the two biggest problems.
If Danault comes back, put Byfield at 3c.

Dubois - Kopitar - Kempe
Fiala -Danault (or Byfield) - Arvidsson
Moore - Byfield (or Thomas) -Kaliyev
Lewis - Lizotte - Lewis

I would argue the Kigs need more goals recently, so you have to deploy players that can create offense further up the lineup.

He played 19+ minutes last night with Moore and Arvidsson, against his former team, in which case you'd think he'd want to play hard against, and (surprise surprise) he looked like he couldn't give two f***s about playing. He was as disengaged as ever.

You're still using the same excuses some were giving 5 games into the season.

"If we just trade for Kyle Connor and Cole Perfetti to be his linemates then maybe he will get 65 points again"

 

[kilowatt]

There's no way PLD gets bought out while Robitaille is in the org given the Brisson connection, but let's also not forget who else Brisson represents: Anze Kopitar.

 

[tigermask48]

If we’re rebuilding why get rid of him at all? Rebuilding teams don’t need cap space. Hold on to him, eat the worst years of the contract while the team sucks, then dump him to a bottom feeder when the team is back in the playoffs and there’s only a few years left on the deal. It’ll still cost us, but less than trying to get rid of him now.

Because if you are rebuilding you want to surround your young players with veterans that are professional, talented, and can teach the younger players. PLD is none of those things and the only thing players would learn is how to loaf, and collect a paycheck. He is the exact player you do not want around when rebuilding.

 

[BigBrown]

Analytics Perspective: Dubois’ Second Half Success

mayorsmanor.com

"While the first half of the season had some questioning if signing the 25-year old forward to an eight-year contract was a smart move or not, Dubois has started to prove himself in the second half of the season. Better yet, his underlying numbers show that he has what it takes to be an impactful center."

Good news everyone, he's better than Brayden Point at shooting the kind of shot that generates rebounds and his average shot distance is actually slightly closer to the net than Austin Matthews. That's something, isn't it? I mean Brayden Point and Austin Matthews are two pretty damn good players so Dubois is having himself quite a season, apparently.

 

[DoktorJeep]

What’s clear is that Pierre is not a #1 on any team or a #2 on a contender. At $8.5M, if he gives you 25g, 55pts as a first line winger, then it’s decent value for the money. Of course ignoring the acquisition and opportunity costs entirely.

So if he’s a wing, that means you can’t have Arvidsson and possibly Moore along with Fiala and Kempe. Arvidsson is likely gone. Whoever is in charge in the summer needs to make a hard choice about moving Moore and pushing Danault to 3C.

 

[BaileyFan]

Analytics Perspective: Dubois’ Second Half Success

mayorsmanor.com

"While the first half of the season had some questioning if signing the 25-year old forward to an eight-year contract was a smart move or not, Dubois has started to prove himself in the second half of the season. Better yet, his underlying numbers show that he has what it takes to be an impactful center."

Good news everyone, he's better than Brayden Point at shooting the kind of shot that generates rebounds and his average shot distance is actually slightly closer to the net than Austin Matthews. That's something, isn't it? I mean Brayden Point and Austin Matthews are two pretty damn good players so Dubois is having himself quite a season, apparently.

And he’s doing all that on a cheaper contract than Matthews or Point. What a bargain! Read more, tweet less.

 

[Surf Nutz]

He played 19+ minutes last night with Moore and Arvidsson, against his former team, in which case you'd think he'd want to play hard against, and (surprise surprise) he looked like he couldn't give two f***s about playing. He was as disengaged as ever.

You're still using the same excuses some were giving 5 games into the season.

"If we just trade for Kyle Connor and Cole Perfetti to be his linemates then maybe he will get 65 points again"

His point totals were higher when he was on Winnepeg on L1 and PP1, those are just facts.

I agree he didn't look good last night and I am dissapointed he did not perform better as I stated, after being bumped up to 2C.

I read your stuff on Twitter, you have no room to critique between gigs where it sounds from your comments like you are a rodeo clown in central Canada, trying to get a gig as a real comedian.

 

[Omni Owl]

PLD needs to act his goddamn wage already. Yesterday's showing against the Jets was f***ing pitiful. Our best hope now is that he can somehow rebound during his long contract and we use him as trade bait. I never thought we'd be able to drop Cal Petersen and that horrendous term but that somehow worked out. That's the best case scenario we can hope for in losing this pathetic excuse for a player. I just don't see a buyout being feasible yet, Minnesota is still paying for the Suter and Parise contracts and its absolutely crippled them.

 

[Surf Nutz]

What’s clear is that Pierre is not a #1 on any team or a #2 on a contender. At $8.5M, if he gives you 25g, 55pts as a first line winger, then it’s decent value for the money. Of course ignoring the acquisition and opportunity costs entirely.

So if he’s a wing, that means you can’t have Arvidsson and possibly Moore along with Fiala and Kempe. Arvidsson is likely gone. Whoever is in charge in the summer needs to make a hard choice about moving Moore and pushing Danault to 3C.

Sound like you have looked closely on cap friendly.

I will save it for the Summer.

Maybe it can't be done but I would try to resign Arvidson for 2.5ish

I don't see the Kings trading Moore, one of their top scorers , he has disappointed in the second half a bit.

But if you look at his numbers, what he is paid and escalating salaries, he more than earned his keep.

The Kings should squeak into 8th based on games remaining and strength of schedule.

If not everyone from Hiller and his assistants and above may not be back and will pretty much deserve it.

 

[King'sPawn]

The thing I am curious about is does Blake or anyone from the front office take him aside and talk to him? Or are they in such an echo chamber they think everything will just magically turn around one day. At some point it has to be talked about, everyone on the media side of the Kings is now beating around the bush about it, so you have to think internally there are discussions of what a slug PLD is on the ice. Probably can't yell at him because he is fragile and might go further into his shell.

Doughty mentioned earlier in the season about how callouts have happened. While Fiala is one, I can't help but think that PLD is one too.

 

[bland]

Analytics Perspective: Dubois’ Second Half Success

mayorsmanor.com

"While the first half of the season had some questioning if signing the 25-year old forward to an eight-year contract was a smart move or not, Dubois has started to prove himself in the second half of the season. Better yet, his underlying numbers show that he has what it takes to be an impactful center."

Good news everyone, he's better than Brayden Point at shooting the kind of shot that generates rebounds and his average shot distance is actually slightly closer to the net than Austin Matthews. That's something, isn't it? I mean Brayden Point and Austin Matthews are two pretty damn good players so Dubois is having himself quite a season, apparently.

Don't believe your eyes, your experience, the results.... trust a cherry-picked statistic that means nothing.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

PLD makes me miss andreas athanasiou

at least his mistakes were braindead and overexuberant

Pierre's are braindead and lazy

can't wait till he blows a playoff backcheck 'whoops guys missed that stickcheck lol well at least golf in socal is great'

 

[BaileyFan]

PLD makes me miss andreas athanasiou

at least his mistakes were braindead and overexuberant

Pierre's are braindead and lazy

can't wait till he blows a playoff backcheck 'whoops guys missed that stickcheck lol well at least golf in socal is great'

Yeah but his rebounds generated per 60 will be top 15 on the team over the 4 games so can we stop with the bashing please?

 

[AbsentMojo]

It absolutely does.

But just looking at it from the perspective of the individual player, it's baffling.

If someone hooked me up the way Blake did, I'd be working my ass off to pay him back. PLD seems to not care.

Strikes me as a mental or substance issue...He is not having normal reactions to the events going on around him. Depression and/or opiates dull your emotions prevent you from connecting with the group... also know as your own private Idaho.

 

[King'sPawn]

Analytics Perspective: Dubois’ Second Half Success

mayorsmanor.com

"While the first half of the season had some questioning if signing the 25-year old forward to an eight-year contract was a smart move or not, Dubois has started to prove himself in the second half of the season. Better yet, his underlying numbers show that he has what it takes to be an impactful center."

Good news everyone, he's better than Brayden Point at shooting the kind of shot that generates rebounds and his average shot distance is actually slightly closer to the net than Austin Matthews. That's something, isn't it? I mean Brayden Point and Austin Matthews are two pretty damn good players so Dubois is having himself quite a season, apparently.

I understand the sentiment of the article, and the criticisms are valid. To add context, FWIW, Hoven has added people to the team, one of which is focused on the analytics portion. I like to take a hybrid approach when analyzing players - and my focus is on prospects anyway. But the overall point is, looking at some metrics, he should eventually start putting up more points by sheer virtue of taking closer shots and generating rebounds with his attempts.

I don't completely agree with the conclusion, but it's important to call out the points the author is trying to make.

Strikes me as a mental or substance issue...He is not having normal reactions to the events going on around him. Depression and/or opiates dull your emotions prevent you from connecting with the group... also know as your own private Idaho.

I'd be very wary of this level of speculation, and there's no evidence of this. There are several other possible explanations that are less libelous but all equally unprovable at this point.

 

[ibleedkings]

Are they still keeping track of the point system they came up for him and not actual points? Asking for a friend.

 

[Seattle King]

PL buy out #'s View attachment 844426

You know things are really going well at your new job when in your first year of an 8 year deal the fanbase is posting your buyout specs.

FIRE BLAKE NOW

 

[AbsentMojo]

I'd be very wary of this level of speculation, and there's no evidence of this. There are several other possible explanations that are less libelous but all equally unprovable at this point.

Thats not libel.. its speculation.. i wrote 'strikes me'.. meaning its my opinion...the other thing it could be is he is a total f***ing loser. To me if its substances or depression that is a much more sympathetic take... I totally believe, again speculation, that Mike Richards had an opiate addiction based on his falloff and arrest at the Canadian border for possession of oxy.

 

[bland]

Also why the hell would you want a player like PLD around your rebuild. His lack of effort will cause a rift in the locker room, just watch. And if it doesn't then you have to wonder does anyone want to win in that locker room.

Get this bum out of the locker room and his lazy azz play away from Byfield and all the other talented youth.

That's what they did with Kovalchuk. Wouldn't even let him around the team.

We all make our surfing jokes, and complain about the frat boy nepotism, but anyone taking an honest look at this situation has to come to the conclusion that they clearly have the wrong people in the decision-making roles. There is just too much of this nonsense with zero success to fall back on.

If the financial success of the Brown night and $7 million from Quebec are all it takes to earn the benefit of the doubt of the benefit of ALL the doubts, it is absolutely hopeless. When the only progress is an under 60 point 3rd year season from your shiniest toy, just end it already.