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

[TS Quint]

I would like to see Byfield get rotations at 2C with Dubois this season on his wing just to try and get him acclimated to the center role. I think it will be really good for Byfield to play with Dubois style of play as opposed to deferring to Kopitar. I’d also like to see Kopitars minutes trimmed back to get equal ice time for all three center ice men.

I was really pushing for the kings to acquire Eichel for his ability to help develop Byfield into an offensive player rather than deferring to more of the perimeter style play that Kopitar utilizes, so I am hoping Dubois can fill that role. It’s just hard for most players to play with Kopitar and put up big offensive numbers, look at how many LW’s we went through for the past 10 years on Kopitars wing.

No chance ever that Byfield moves Dubois to the wing. #1 Byfield isn’t half the player Dubois is right now. #2 You think Blake just paid Dubois 68m to play the wing? That’s crazy talk.

this trade was about winning, not developing prospects in the NHL. Byfield will get what he earns at this point. The Kings only have so much useful time left in Kopitar and Doughty, it’s now or never.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Vilardi had a good season, but I’ll never trust his bad back, he is one good hit away from LTIR in my opinion.

For the Jets I would’ve preferred a 1st round pick over Vilardi as the main piece coming back.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Byfield next to Dubois is a lot of beef on one line

 

[bland]

Dubois becoming a quality #1c on a contender is every bit the longshot of Byfield turning into one.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Dubois becoming a quality #1c on a contender is every bit the longshot of Byfield turning into one.

However, he is closer to becoming that player versus Vilardi.

 

[LAKings88]

I am even ok with the contract amoutn for PLD. just do not think it made sense for LA. Both in terms of roster need, and timing.

Iaffalo and Kupari were both gonna be 4th liners.

Gabe has injury concerns and who knows what contract he was gonna ask for.

Gabe is a skilled player but he has worts too.

PLD has #1 C potential and Kopi won’t be around forever.

 

[bland]

However, he is closer to becoming that player versus Vilardi.

Agreed. Glad Dubois is here, but its a stretch to suggest that he is going to be the top center on a contender. He has a relatively low motor that ebbs and flows over the course of a season, and his style of play is closer to a poacher than a line driver. And that actually works in his favor, assuming McLellan puts him with Fiala. Fiala needs guys to work off of him, and this seems like a perfect fit.

The difference between Dubois being a 60 point center to being a 90 point center isn't talent based, its been a questionable desire to maximize his effort.

Sure he is still very young, but its been the same deal with him for three years in a row. Long stretches of dominant play, then lengthy cool down periods. This is a big time commitment to a work in progress. He hasn't really "arrived" yet at 24.

 

[Guffman]

Random Guff Takes

1. No room for Byfield to be a center on the Kings anymore. Platooned to the wing until Kopitar’s production falls off. What a waste.

2. Montreal passes on getting Dubois. Montreal misses out getting a top center in the draft. They missed a big opportunity solidifying their top 6 center position for years to come. I doubt Dach is the guy. I doubt Newhook is the guy. How many more failed first rounders will Montreal collect?

 

[YP44]

Random Guff Takes

1. No room for Byfield to be a center on the Kings anymore. Platooned to the wing until Kopitar’s production falls off. What a waste.

2. Montreal passes on getting Dubois. Montreal misses out getting a top center in the draft. They missed a big opportunity solidifying their top 6 center position for years to come. I doubt Dach is the guy. I doubt Newhook is the guy. How many more failed first rounders will Montreal collect?

He looked really good on the wing last year. Not a waste at IMO

 

[kilowatt]

Agreed. Glad Dubois is here, but its a stretch to suggest that he is going to be the top center on a contender. He has a relatively low motor that ebbs and flows over the course of a season, and his style of play is closer to a poacher than a line driver. And that actually works in his favor, assuming McLellan puts him with Fiala. Fiala needs guys to work off of him, and this seems like a perfect fit.

The difference between Dubois being a 60 point center to being a 90 point center isn't talent based, its been a questionable desire to maximize his effort.

Sure he is still very young, but its been the same deal with him for three years in a row. Long stretches of dominant play, then lengthy cool down periods. This is a big time commitment to a work in progress. He hasn't really "arrived" yet at 24.

We’ve hitched our wagon to Fiala, so finding a compliment in Dubois could be a big win.

 

[Guffman]

He looked really good on the wing last year. Not a waste at IMO

Only 3 goals and 22 points last season. Regardless of position, it’s concerning.

 

[YP44]

Only 3 goals and 22 points last season. Regardless of position, it’s concerning.

Even the biggest QB supporters will say production needs to take a big leap this year, no doubt.

 

[KingsOfThe805]

Pretty much Vilardi for PLD. The rest is fodder and cap space.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Agreed. Glad Dubois is here, but its a stretch to suggest that he is going to be the top center on a contender. He has a relatively low motor that ebbs and flows over the course of a season, and his style of play is closer to a poacher than a line driver. And that actually works in his favor, assuming McLellan puts him with Fiala. Fiala needs guys to work off of him, and this seems like a perfect fit.

The difference between Dubois being a 60 point center to being a 90 point center isn't talent based, its been a questionable desire to maximize his effort.

Sure he is still very young, but its been the same deal with him for three years in a row. Long stretches of dominant play, then lengthy cool down periods. This is a big time commitment to a work in progress. He hasn't really "arrived" yet at 24.

You can see the future better if you step out from under the thunderstorm and into the sunshine.
Not disputing one word you said.
However, Fiala is play driving winger.
Future L1 as written on Blake's whiteboard since PLD declined to extend with Loseapeg:

Fiala - PLD - Kempe

Random Guff Takes

1. No room for Byfield to be a center on the Kings anymore. Platooned to the wing until Kopitar’s production falls off. What a waste.

2. Montreal passes on getting Dubois. Montreal misses out getting a top center in the draft. They missed a big opportunity solidifying their top 6 center position for years to come. I doubt Dach is the guy. I doubt Newhook is the guy. How many more failed first rounders will Montreal collect?

Nice continuing psy op with Montreals history now being MK ultra-ed.

No you can not have Byfield for anything EVER!

We see you seeing Byfield.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Even the biggest QB supporters will say production needs to take a big leap this year, no doubt.

Or what the world ends?
He goes to Loseapeg and develops into a winner.
Guffman chides Kings fans into eternity?
Byfield already broke out in many categories not quantified in basic statistics.
If he is allowed to stay on the Mentorship Line, BYf- Kopi - Kempe.
he will continue to improve.
No mandatory requirements except that.

 

[Maple Leaf]

8.5? how

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Random Guff Takes

1. No room for Byfield to be a center on the Kings anymore. Platooned to the wing until Kopitar’s production falls off. What a waste.

2. Montreal passes on getting Dubois. Montreal misses out getting a top center in the draft. They missed a big opportunity solidifying their top 6 center position for years to come. I doubt Dach is the guy. I doubt Newhook is the guy. How many more failed first rounders will Montreal collect?

Garbage. Montreal did not pass on getting Dubois. Dach and Newhook will likely be as good or better and certainly they will be more of a winner than Dubois. Habs had only Anderson and Dvorak to offer and that wasn't of interest to the Jets assuming it was offered. LA bid against themselves, an MB specialty.
And Dubois wasn't interest in joining the Habs or he would have forced his way to Montreal.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Dach and Newhook will likely be as good or better and certainly they will be more of a winner than Dubois.

I have read that now a couple of times. Where is this based on.

If anything Dach will continue to be a PP specialist with a limited scoring touch. Newhook has potential but still has a lot to prove. The winner tag is also something. The Habs will be a basement team for years to come, with all respect, unless something drastically happens. No Montreal fan should talk about winning now with such a team.

 

[yankeeking]

I have read that now a couple of times. Where is this based on.

If anything Dach will continue to be a PP specialist with a limited scoring touch. Newhook has potential but still has a lot to prove. The winner tag is also something. The Habs will be a basement team for years to come, with all respect, unless something drastically happens. No Montreal fan should talk about winning now with such a team.

Garbage. Montreal did not pass on getting Dubois. Dach and Newhook will likely be as good or better and certainly they will be more of a winner than Dubois. Habs had only Anderson and Dvorak to offer and that wasn't of interest to the Jets assuming it was offered. LA bid against themselves, an MB specialty.
And Dubois wasn't interest in joining the Habs or he would have forced his way to Montreal.

Montreal didn’t pull the trigger on on newhook deal until after they were out on Dubois , so no pass there
Newhook has a chance to be as good but not really seeing anything from Dach but either way big strong talented centers like this are hard to get if you don’t draft them and Montreal might regret missing this one like we did missing Eichel and this one has less physical problems , hopefully just maturing issues

 

[River Meadow]

Also, we ought to normalize players asking for trades. Why is that a bad thing? Like it’s some character defect?

Bookmarked and will bump this post for when PLD inevitably asks out of LA to see if you still feel the same way.

 

[Rorschach]

Vilardi had a good season, but I’ll never trust his bad back, he is one good hit away from LTIR in my opinion.

For the Jets I would’ve preferred a 1st round pick over Vilardi as the main piece coming back.

Agree and I also don’t trust players who just happen to have breakout seasons on their RFA/UFA seasons.

 

[River Meadow]

PLD is fake as f*** btw. He said, “with a smile”, how excited he was to be joining the Winnipeg Jets. Check out one of his initial interview starting at 2:00:

What..

You mean you don't believe his whole spiel about how playing for LA is a dream come true and etc?

 

[Rorschach]

Bookmarked and will bump this post for when PLD inevitably asks out of LA to see if you still feel the same way.

Well you also have to factor in where they are asking out of…we’ve had A LOT of success with guys opting out of CBJ.

Even the biggest QB supporters will say production needs to take a big leap this year, no doubt.

Production yes, but a hell of a lot of other things too.

 

[River Meadow]

Well you also have to factor in where they are asking out of…we’ve had A LOT of success with guys opting out of CBJ.

Hey, if I could, I'd ask to play in FLA (or TX), so not faulting him there.

But let's see what happens as this has been a pattern for him thus far with every team he's been on.

 

[kylbaz]

I questioned plds work ethic when he had to come to Winnipeg and quarantine for two weeks. Pretty much said he didn't really exercise or do any conditioning for two weeks. And sure enough his consistency and work ethic were poor.