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

[Raccoon Jesus]

For the last several years, the Kings have seemed to be one of those teams for whom the whole hasn't been better than the sum of its parts. It like a machine that has good gears, but they just don't fit together quite right. Maybe Dubois will finally find himself in LA and mesh with the rest of the team, but I get the weird gut feeling that he's going to be another odd gear there and the Kings will end up dealing him in a couple of years.

Laughs in McLellan

 

[Royale With Cheese]

I loved the interview. Glad it was posted. He is obviously very happy where he is at the moment. If you listen to the whole thing he bounces around following his dad all his life and it looks like he is wanting to put down some roots and found a place he is excited about.

I have now heard three different interviews since the trade, and he basically says the same thing in each one. I’m not worried about him at all.

I thought it was awesome. How I figured it take them two years just to figure out the different things around LA for him to do.

I guess I’m one of the few kings found that really like this trade and I really think him and Fiala could form 2/3 of an awesome line

Nor should you be. He’s been angling to get to where he wants to be his entire career so far. Now that he’s in a place of his choosing, I think you’ll see PLD at the top of his game and in his prime years too.

 

[TS Quint]

Yep. If PLD doesn't click with Fiala, then the line combos get messy.

PLD will make a lot of space out there for a little fella like Fiala.

 

[bcv]

Yeah the concerns about him quitting are silly. Dude probably left because he saw the coaches playing Kotkaniemi over him even though he was a lot better.

lmao, KK never played over Danault.

 

[Rorschach]

lmao, KK never played over Danault.

To clarify from what I know, it's not that others were played over him, it's more like Danault wasn't allowed to play in all situations, particularly situations for scoring. Like he got little to no power play time...so if he sees whomever, Kotkaniemi or another player playing PP and he isn't, then you can kinda see it.

He signed in LA so easily because the first thing Blake said to him was "yes" when asked the question, will I get any offensive roles. He scored quite a bit.

 

[bcv]

To clarify from what I know, it's not that others were played over him, it's more like Danault wasn't allowed to play in all situations, particularly situations for scoring. Like he got little to no power play time...so if he sees whomever, Kotkaniemi or another player playing PP and he isn't, then you can kinda see it.

He signed in LA so easily because the first thing Blake said to him was "yes" when asked the question, will I get any offensive roles. He scored quite a bit.

While neither KK or Danault were key cog on PP1, they were involved about the same on PP2.

Danault was averaging between 18-20 mins a night while KK played about 13-14 mins a night.

That being said, the "vision" or the "plan" was certainly to have KK in the top 6 (let's not forget that he was drafted 3rd overall) and Danault would have ended up on the 3rd line. I guess he saw that coming and thought he'd be better off somewhere else.

With Kopitar and Dubois, he's probably gonna end up on the 3rd line anyway.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

PLD will make a lot of space out there for a little fella like Fiala.

They seem on paper like they'd be a great match, Fiala NEEDS the puck though, that's the only worry. Dude wants to running back every play. As long as PLD can just clear a path, get open, use his big ass in front, it'll be a match made in heaven, that line should be a nightmare to get the puck back from.

 

[Kurrilino]

PLD is not the Kings 3C though. The Kings 3C is Danault who makes $5.7m

We will see about that.
The first time PLD is losing a puck battle or turns it over, he will find himself on the 4th lien with Lewis according to our coaches behavior pattern

 

[Trash Panda]

They seem on paper like they'd be a great match, Fiala NEEDS the puck though, that's the only worry. Dude wants to running back every play. As long as PLD can just clear a path, get open, use his big ass in front, it'll be a match made in heaven, that line should be a nightmare to get the puck back from.

Fiala might be the least effective Kings forward away from the puck.

It’s Horribad.

 

[gritdash60]

What do Kings fans, or any people really who has seen him think about Kupari? He never got the hype in Finland but looks like he has produced fairly good in the AHL, but not really in the NHL.

You guys think he still has a chance to become a NHL regular or is he bound to europe in the future?

Edit: Well ofc he got some hype in Finland as do all picks before round 5, but nothing like let's say Brad Lambert who will never be a NHL player.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

What do Kings fans, or any people really who has seen him think about Kupari? He never got the hype in Finland but looks like he has produced fairly good in the AHL, but not really in the NHL.

You guys think he still has a chance to become a NHL regular or is he bound to europe in the future?

Great hands & speed and a slightly physical edge. He is a NHL regular but lacks the hockey sense. Just doesn’t know what to do with the puck or where the puck goes.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Pier Lucha Dude Brah !

He's in LA now!

 

[GreatSaveEssensa]

What do Kings fans, or any people really who has seen him think about Kupari? He never got the hype in Finland but looks like he has produced fairly good in the AHL, but not really in the NHL.

You guys think he still has a chance to become a NHL regular or is he bound to europe in the future?

Edit: Well ofc he got some hype in Finland as do all picks before round 5, but nothing like let's say Brad Lambert who will never be a NHL player.

Lambert is going to be a dynamic NHL player. He is trending way up over the last year and has had nothing but rave reviews from coaches and fans alike in Seattle. He also showed very good flashes of what he can bring in the pre season last year and is only 19. So my question to you is what the hell are you talking about?

 

[Kurrilino]

Great hands & speed and a slightly physical edge. He is a NHL regular but lacks the hockey sense. Just doesn’t know what to do with the puck or where the puck goes.

I would agree except the hockey sense.

He has all the tools to be a lightning fast playmaking center who plays with a little edge
but has never been given the chance and was demoted on the slightest mistake of his line.


If he gets the ice time with winger who can score he has all tools to become a top 6 center.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

I would agree except the hockey sense.

He has all the tools to be a lightning fast playmaking center who plays with a little edge
but has never been given the chance and was demoted on the slightest mistake of his line.


If he gets the ice time with winger who can score he has all tools to become a top 6 center.

Ok fair enough.

However.

Everybody starts with little ice time and if you are a top 6 player, than you will float to the surface eventually.

He is averaging between 10-12 minutes per game. Enough to show more.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

Like I said, Danault pretty much admitted he quit on us because of that

Be it as it may, it's a bit different when his line might get the most icetime on some nights, even if it's "#3 on paper".

 

[Ghetty Green]

What do Kings fans, or any people really who has seen him think about Kupari? He never got the hype in Finland but looks like he has produced fairly good in the AHL, but not really in the NHL.

You guys think he still has a chance to become a NHL regular or is he bound to europe in the future?

Edit: Well ofc he got some hype in Finland as do all picks before round 5, but nothing like let's say Brad Lambert who will never be a NHL player.

I like Ras. He is big, fast, decent skill and can be physical although I think he needs to show it more. I think his peak will be 20 goals 50 points and won't hurt you defensively. He can play PK too.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I don't think Kupari ever hits 20-20 but he's got the tools, just not the raw offensive IQ, still can't use his teammates well enough offensively.

BUT he's shown enthusiasm for using those tools to learn the defensive game so having a tall, lanky, strong PKer who can skate like the wind should keep him in the NHL getting chances until he figures out the offense and moves up or doesn't and hangs out as a reliable bottom sixer. And when he's riled up he can hit, he's pretty feisty. He might look like a cherub but he's a big kid.

 

[bland]

Laughs in McLellan

I am completely expecting to see PLD - Kopitar - Fiala force fed in camp.

 

[Mats26]

What do Kings fans, or any people really who has seen him think about Kupari? He never got the hype in Finland but looks like he has produced fairly good in the AHL, but not really in the NHL.

You guys think he still has a chance to become a NHL regular or is he bound to europe in the future?

Edit: Well ofc he got some hype in Finland as do all picks before round 5, but nothing like let's say Brad Lambert who will never be a NHL player.

Kings should of never included Kupari in the deal. Has all the tools but just needs to put it all together. He may surprise some Jets fans in a few years as a good middle 6 forward.

 

[Choralone]

I'm bullish on Kupari. I think he'll figure it out this season. I nominated him as a potential breakout player last season, but it ended up being Vilardi instead. So congrats to Winnipeg on getting both of those guys...

 

[Sparky206]

Kupari is Kempe lite 2.0.

Has lots of good tools but gets lost without the puck as a C. Needs a move to wing with a simpler game plan, less responsibility and more opportunites with time and space.

 

[Schmooley]

Kupari is Kempe lite 2.0.

Has lots of good tools but gets lost without the puck as a C. Needs a move to wing with a simpler game plan, less responsibility and more opportunites with time and space.

Kuparis best games have been as a winger. He doesnt have to think as much and can become a really good power forward. He hits hard and can get the puck to the net with his speed.
Hope he breaks out in Winnipeg.

 

[OKR]

PLD seems to love the attention, no wonder he wanted out of Winnipeg and Columbus to LA or Montreal lol

 

[Sol]

Fiala might be the least effective Kings forward away from the puck.

It’s Horribad.

Who cares though? He's by FAR the most effective Kings forward with the puck. The Kings haven't had a player like Fiala since Palffy. I think you can find a way to get over him not being very effective away from the puck.