Confirmed Trade: [LAK/WPG] Pierre-Luc Dubois (signs 8 years, $8.5M AAV) for Gabe Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari, 2024 2nd round pick

[Huffer]

If Blake was offering that much, he may as well have just shot for the stars and included picks to get Hellyebuck too. Even if they only get him for one year and can't resign him, go all in and make a serious run for the cup next year while they still have Kopitar and Doughty.

That's fine, I also think Helle on the Kings would be a pretty good fit. But you're comment said that the PLD package should have gotten the Kings PLD and an unsigned Hellebucyk which isn't close. The Kings would need to add considerable more value to include Hellebucyk.

 

[Guffman]

Wanted to dump my giant .02c opinion.

Personally think it's a good trade for both teams. I know that's not the fashionable opinion especially when most think LA got hosed here but I think it's simply a "hockey" trade where both teams got what's valuable to them. At least that's how I see it as a Jets fan.

Let me break it down:
LA got the more valuable NHL asset with a high end C. People saying his contract is an overpay...hard disagree. I think you'll find most Jets fans (including myself) would have been more than happy to see PLD sign that contract for the Jets. I also think LA can help shelter some of PLD's warts in his defensive play by already having two of the best defensive Cs in the league in Danault and Kopitar. As for PLD being the heir apparent to Kopitar...highly doubt it. PLD could be a better scorer maybe but there's no way he's going to be the defensive two-way player Kopitar is.

I think LA moved pieces that allows them to come out cap neutral at worst and pending the Vilardi contract probably cap positive. That said they still have to work out the rest of the roster with what is left of a shoestring budget. More moves to shed $ will be made. That much is guaranteed.

As for the Jets the retool is here. It was never going to be a full blown rebuild and I don't think it ever had to be. I'm more than happy with the assets returned. Although worries remain on the fact we basically don't have centers on the roster at this point.

That said I was tired of the way the Jets had built the team with most of the forwards being bad on defense (I cannot wait to see the back of Scheifele and Wheeler) and as much as I actually did like PLD he wasn't great on defense either. Though as I said earlier I think LA is the perfect situation to help shelter that.

In return we get two very good defensive wingers who still provide solid offense in Valardi and Iafallo, the latter being a player I've been a massive fan of for ages and really hope we can somehow interest him in staying past the 2 years he has remaining on his contract. As I said earlier I'm so sick and tired of forwards who don't play defense so this is a much welcomed change for the team - hopefully it will continue.

Then we got a 2nd and Kupari. Low end prospect and a pick. It's nice but nothing crazy, hopefully the Kings fans who love Kupari are right and he develops into a really good player, the tools are obviously there.

Overall I actually think this is a trade that actually helps both teams. I already can't wait for the season to start and see how things play out even though both teams still have plenty of deals to make before then.

Good post.

I'm hoping that this will be a new direction for the Jets. Less defensively irresponsible stars, more hard working, responsible players. I'm fine with more of the $4M meat and potatoes players. It was extremely frustrating watching a talent-laden team like the Jets underachieve these past few years.

The Jets absolutely should have achieved more with the type of players that we had. Since they didn't, the roster needed to be turned over and this was a good first step.

 

[Sweech]

Good post.

I'm hoping that this will be a new direction for the Jets. Less defensively irresponsible stars, more hard working, responsible players. I'm fine with more of the $4M meat and potatoes players. It was extremely frustrating watching a talent-laden team like the Jets underachieve these past few years.

The Jets absolutely should have achieved more with the type of players that we had. Since they didn't, the roster needed to be turned over and this was a good first step.

Exactly. Also really hope they re-sign Namestnikov. I loved what he brought to the team. More of that less flash but more responsible type of play that I think the team desperately needs.

 

[Buffdog]

Just wanted to address something I see written here often: "The Jets had no leverage"

Simply untrue. Even IF the rumours of him only willing to go to Montreal were true (and clearly they were not at all) the Jets still had plenty of leverage.

Let me explain. The Jets still had him as an arbitration RFA. The absolute worst case scenario is what? a 1 year 8-9 mil deal? That's fine. The only thing that could ever hurt the Jets in that scenario would be a long term injury to PLD. Simply sign him for the one year deal and then trade him at the deadline. Can you imagine what a 1-2 C with 50% retained at the deadline is worth to teams making a big cup run is worth? Even when that team knows he's a half season + playoffs rental you could argue he could return more than what the Jets received in this deal.

That said it does hinge on health and the return would be based more on prospects and picks and I think Chevy being the overly prudent man he is didn't want to take that risk and would rather take a re-tool type deal like this one rather than a futures ladden one that he could have had at the deadline.

But overall like I said the Jets still had leverage. This is a top end value asset in today's NHL and was always going to be whether he wanted to walk to one team or not.

They don't get this return at the deadline though, as the players we got back would be contributing on the Kings playoff run

Deadline deals are almost always futures, which wasn't chevys target

 

[mkatcherin00]

I love this as an Oilers fan. Still think Kings are a very good team though.

 

[Guffman]

Just wanted to address something I see written here often: "The Jets had no leverage"

Simply untrue. Even IF the rumours of him only willing to go to Montreal were true (and clearly they were not at all) the Jets still had plenty of leverage.

Let me explain. The Jets still had him as an arbitration RFA. The absolute worst case scenario is what? a 1 year 8-9 mil deal? That's fine. The only thing that could ever hurt the Jets in that scenario would be a long term injury to PLD. Simply sign him for the one year deal and then trade him at the deadline. Can you imagine what a 1-2 C with 50% retained at the deadline is worth to teams making a big cup run is worth? Even when that team knows he's a half season + playoffs rental you could argue he could return more than what the Jets received in this deal.

That said it does hinge on health and the return would be based more on prospects and picks and I think Chevy being the overly prudent man he is didn't want to take that risk and would rather take a re-tool type deal like this one rather than a futures ladden one that he could have had at the deadline.

But overall like I said the Jets still had leverage. This is a top end value asset in today's NHL and was always going to be whether he wanted to walk to one team or not.

If Jets had applied for arbitration in June, Dubois would still have an opportunity to obtain an offer sheet between July 1 and July 5. Jets would expect to get a 1st and 3rd in that situation. If the Jets matched the offer sheet, they wouldn't be able to trade Dubois for the year.

That ultimately turned out to be a major pressure point. The offer sheet compensation would be the floor of what the Jets could get but it forced the Jets to get a trade done pre-July 1.

Montreal had no leverage in this situation. An unprotected 2024 first from Montreal would be absolute gold. However, other competitors like Carolina could have swept in with that offer sheet.

Overall, happy what the Jets got especially given the pressure of having to make a pre-July 1 deal.

 

[McShogun99]

they made place for Turcotte Byfield ans others prospect to step up

If they're gambling on young players to step up in key roles and expect the same results then that is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Canadienna]

I think this is an unpopular take, but PLD will be worth every penny of that contract within a year or two, if not this season.

Whether they gave up too much in the trade will have to be seen I guess, but I don't get all the moaning about 8.5x8

 

[Johnny HFBOARDS]

Ooof. Now I get why Montreal was hesitant. If that’s what it takes to get him I’m sure habs fans are content with staying pat. Curious what his new deal will come in as. For that price you’d hope he signed somewhere close to 8x8

Pretty sure at the end of last year that the Habs won 1st over all and got PLD for free... how times have changed.

 

[KingsCourt]

a lot of butt-hurt on this board..lol

I love it! keep it coming! LOL


For the vegas comment about Jack...someone here mentioned, it's not even close

Tuch > Vilardi
1st ‘22 > Iafallo
Krebs >> Kupari
‘23 2nd >= ‘24 2nd

 

[Sweech]

If Jets had applied for arbitration in June, Dubois would still have an opportunity to obtain an offer sheet between July 1 and July 5. Jets would expect to get a 1st and 3rd in that situation. If the Jets matched the offer sheet, they wouldn't be able to trade Dubois for the year.

That ultimately turned out to be a major pressure point. The offer sheet compensation would be the floor of what the Jets could get but it forced the Jets to get a trade done pre-July 1.

Montreal had no leverage in this situation. An unprotected 2024 first from Montreal would be absolute gold. However, other competitors like Carolina could have swept in with that offer sheet.

Overall, happy what the Jets got especially given the pressure of having to make a pre-July 1 deal.

Personally don't think the offer sheet was ever a real worry. One year away from free agency would be PLDs and his management's goal. An offer sheet lets Winnipeg match - which they would. That turns unto a lose / lose for everyone. The option I laid out of a 1 year contract and then trade at the deadline still fits PLDs plan. The offer sheet never would.

It's fair if his management team wanted to threaten that but it would be the worst case for PLD and bad for Winnipeg because they'd have a disgruntled player...but they'd still have the player.

They don't get this return at the deadline though, as the players we got back would be contributing on the Kings playoff run

Deadline deals are almost always futures, which wasn't chevys target

I addressed this already. Plus picks can still be turned into NHL ready players if that was Chevy's goal. It's a risky move because of injury but otherwise it still gives the Jets their value in return. Which is why I say they always had leverage. Him walking for nothing was never going to happen, just the same as him being traded for peanuts was never going to happen.

 

[KingsCourt]

LA got the best player in the trade but made their team worse with all the depth players they traded to make room for PLD.

See what everyone is overlooking all these pieces are replaceable, kings needed a 2C
quantity over quality
GV replaced with PLD - PLD is better right now and premium position, GV is winger not a center
Iafallo replaced with Moore - younger and cost controlled for 5 years
Kupari replaced with JAD/Fagemo/Grundstrom/etc. - younger and cheaper bring same production

2nd - it s a pick


So please tell me how they lost depth? LOL

 

[TS Quint]

Thank you for reaching out and commenting. I also thought he would get $8M - $8.5M range. I also said he would get lots of signing bonus structure and he got around $19.5M total over 8 years.

Very good return for the Jets. Glad it didn't come from the Habs but you got what you wanted in the end. I really do respect Dubois for opening up to 5/6 teams because I don't think he really wanted to screw over the Jets in the end by only saying the Habs. I respect Dubois for that and I think the Jets should too.

It's been a long year discussing this. Jets and Habs can move on now and we will be paying attention to how he does in LA.

I think it was a lot of Hab fan hope that his only team would be Montreal. Dubois said he wanted to play on a contender. This was said many many times for a long time by Jets fans but Habs fans didn’t want to believe it.

Also, never listen to LeBrun, he’s an idiot.

 

[Snowman]

Just wanted to address something I see written here often: "The Jets had no leverage"

Simply untrue. Even IF the rumours of him only willing to go to Montreal were true (and clearly they were not at all) the Jets still had plenty of leverage.

I think a lot of that comes down to the majority of Montreal fans that were trumpeting that "fact" simply don't understand the meaning of the word and have a very poor understanding of how an RFA differs in control from a UFA.

Simply ill- informed posters repeating buzz words they heard from Montreal beat reporters.

 

[Sweech]

I think a lot of that comes down to the majority of Montreal fans that were trumpeting that "fact" simply don't understand the meaning of the word and have a very poor understanding of how an RFA differs in control from a UFA.

Simply ill- informed posters repeating buzz words they heard from Montreal beat reporters.

One thing I did find amusing was the fact that I've been mostly inactive on these boards for probably close to 5+ years. Yet I could see Jets/other fans bickering with what I assumed were Montreal fans...except I couldn't see the posts they were replying to. Meaning I had put them on ignore...more than 5 years ago. Some people never change y'know.

 

[Snowman]

One thing I did find amusing was the fact that I've been mostly inactive on these boards for probably close to 5+ years. Yet I could see Jets/other fans bickering with what I assumed were Montreal fans...except I couldn't see the posts they were replying to. Meaning I had put them on ignore...more than 5 years ago. Some people never change y'know.

Oh, I hear you. It was the same for me. I knew who one of them was, because I kept seeing people replying to someone who was repeating the same crap offer over and over and over. But I imagine the rest were the same ones a lot of us ignored years ago.

 

[summer tooth]

Going to be pretty sweet seeing Fiala + Dubois together. Keep the Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe as is and also keep Denault and Arvidsson together.

 

[Rebels57]

Going to be pretty sweet seeing Fiala + Dubois together. Keep the Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe as is and also keep Denault and Arvidsson together.

That is the makings of a very formidable top 9

 

[McShogun99]

See what everyone is overlooking all these pieces are replaceable, kings needed a 2C
quantity over quality
GV replaced with PLD - PLD is better right now and premium position, GV is winger not a center
Iafallo replaced with Moore - younger and cost controlled for 5 years
Kupari replaced with JAD/Fagemo/Grundstrom/etc. - younger and cheaper bring same production

2nd - it s a pick


So please tell me how they lost depth? LOL

You just explained it yourself. They also had to clear out Durzi and Walker to make this possible. The top 6 better but the bottom of the lineup is taking a hit and will depend on young, cheap players to replace what's missing. What made the Kings such a good team the last 2 years was their depth and work ethic. Now the depth has taken a hit and PLD is not known for his work ethic on the ice.

 

[Trash Panda]

Fiala-Dubois-Kaliyev has the potential to be a high event line in both directions, and I don’t think the Kings have the ability to absorb the risk considering who we have in net.

Gonna be interesting to see how the Toddfather mismanages the lines this season.

 

[Weezeric]

Danault/Arvidsson/Kopitar.

Looks like Iafallo and Kopitar played 32 mins together last year…

 

[lomiller1]

If they're gambling on young players to step up in key roles and expect the same results then that is a recipe for disaster.

The Kings are relying on highly regarded prospects to step in and fill 4th line, 3rd pairing roles. That's hardly a recipe for disaster, in fact give the opertunity to grow in sheltered roles these young players could make a major impact late in the season.

 

[Mats26]

Looking back at that PLD-Laine trade, I don't think the Jets got full value in this PLD trade. Honestly, I wouldn't trade Laine in his prime for Vilardi, Iafallo, Kupari and a 2nd.
Laine was and should still be a jet.

 

[SCP Guy]

Looking back at that PLD-Laine trade, I don't think the Jets got full value in this PLD trade. Honestly, I wouldn't trade Laine in his prime for Vilardi, Iafallo, Kupari and a 2nd.
Laine was and should still be a jet.

I agree with you....

But could you imagine turning Laine into Davorak and the 31st pick? BARF!

 

[kingsholygrail]

It's really not the trade that concerns me, but the 8yr commitment.