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

[kilowatt]

For non-Kings fans...we had Fiala playing with Lizotte at times last year..... ya, good times. This duo should generate 160+ points next year.

This is not a joke. Fiala played with Lizotte as his center in greater than 25% of his even strength minutes, plus another 10% with Kupari as his center.

 

[bland]

This is not a joke. Fiala played with Lizotte as his center in greater than 25% of his even strength minutes, plus another 10% with Kupari as his center.

Yes, because he is a one man band who, as easily predicted, proved to be incompatible with Kopitar. Danault's line was too valuable to break up, so he played in the next available slot. Maybe if the Kings had even tried to develop Byfield, Turcotte or Vilardi into an offensive #2 center then they wouldn't have had to overpay for Dubois.

I like Dubois a lot, but that was way too much to give up for him at this time. That contract broke their cap and has made it virtually impossible to make any mid-year adjustments without sacrificing a player that they cannot afford to give up in Roy, or a player that would end up deleting all the depth created by the Dubois trade in Arvidsson.

If Fiala and Dubois stick together it wouldn't be surprising to see both pushing the 90 point level this year.

 

[StumpyTown]

If Fiala and Dubois stick together it wouldn't be surprising to see both pushing the 90 point level this year.

I think Dubois on the optimistic side may hit 75, but is unlikely to hit 90. He was playing a big portion of last year with Kyle Connor on his wing and wasn't really putting up the points like you would have expected. He is very good, but it's still to be seen if he can really break out like that.

 

[bland]

I think Dubois on the optimistic side may hit 75, but is unlikely to hit 90. He was playing a big portion of last year with Kyle Connor on his wing and wasn't really putting up the points like you would have expected. He is very good, but it's still to be seen if he can really break out like that.

I appreciate the insight, and believe me, I am NOT a fan of this trade from the Kings perspective. Wasn't a fan of the Fiala trade either. Both saw them making overpayments for what are really B+ level players whose A games may reach star levels but their deficiencies have kept them from reaching that status.

That being said, they aren't first liners here, and the matchups are going to be favorable for them. They have shown some real chemistry together in the preseason. Their games compliment each other well. I would not bet against 90 points here this year, followed by another early exit from the postseason.

 

[Atoyot]

I think Dubois on the optimistic side may hit 75, but is unlikely to hit 90. He was playing a big portion of last year with Kyle Connor on his wing and wasn't really putting up the points like you would have expected. He is very good, but it's still to be seen if he can really break out like that.

He had 48 points through 41 games and then got injured.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

PLD I think stays at 70pts or so but I think Fiala (who is a much better player) has the potential to put up 90-95pts with PLD. Fiala is a damn good player.

 

[Sol]

PLD I think stays at 70pts or so but I think Fiala (who is a much better player) has the potential to put up 90-95pts with PLD. Fiala is a damn good player.

I don’t think many people realize how talented Fiala is. He’s crazy.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

PLD I think stays at 70pts or so but I think Fiala (who is a much better player) has the potential to put up 90-95pts with PLD. Fiala is a damn good player.

Do not know enough of PLD but Fiala is a 1st line player obviously and LA stole him for what they gave up.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Dubois embracing his inner Ilya Kovalchuk scoring in his return back to his old building.

 

[Andreas Ferrari]

LA wins the game.

LA wins the trade.

Never-ever make a trade for an injury-prone player.

 

[mattihp]

Dubois embracing his inner Ilya Kovalchuk scoring in his return back to his old building.

Wow. If his hate for that organization was not evident enough in his last shift for them... That commentary will have me stop complaining about the color commentary on EA's games. It was just as "inspired".

 

[HairyKneel]

I think Dubois on the optimistic side may hit 75, but is unlikely to hit 90. He was playing a big portion of last year with Kyle Connor on his wing and wasn't really putting up the points like you would have expected. He is very good, but it's still to be seen if he can really break out like that.

Agreed. Buddy must be smoking rock to think he’ll hit 90 points. He has ham hands. He’s a bit younger Bo Horvat.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I think Dubois on the optimistic side may hit 75, but is unlikely to hit 90. He was playing a big portion of last year with Kyle Connor on his wing and wasn't really putting up the points like you would have expected. He is very good, but it's still to be seen if he can really break out like that.

From what I could tell, Dubois was with Connor for around half the season and was putting up good numbers. His numbers slipped in the 2nd half when Connor was moved with Scheifele. Probably around the time the Jets found out he was really not staying.

However, I do think Dubois is a 60-80 pts center type.... depending on his winger talent. Dubois real value is in the physical area and playoff games. When he brings it, he's hard to contain.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

I'm assuming Kings are happy with Dubois and I know the Jets are happy with Iafallo, Vilardi, Kupari and the 2nd round pick.

It's not showing on the Jets W/L sheet yet, but these three players make them a deeper team. It's a shame Vilardi sprained an MCL, he'll be a good one. Iafallo already has 3 goals and Kupari appears to be a gem (IMO) that will grow here.

 

[yeaher]

8.5 million is a lot for 20 goal, 60 point player who lacks a winning mentality

 

[Voight]

I think in his prime PLD will hit anywhere from 80-90 points.

One thing people shouldn't discount is at least hes coming across as finally being happy. So I wouldnt expect many "pouty" plays and not giving a F.

 

[Mr Kot]

Well with Vilardi injured, this probably will become a win for kings now. Poor guy, such a talented player but injury prone.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

was a silly idea to trade for a player who played so little games and had injuries as well!

the deal will look very lopsided toward LA one day, i think

heck.. they may not even sign Vilardi after his current deal!

i think Winnipeg needs a new direction and GM; theyve been wallowing in mediocrity with no light forward for a long while

 

[Voight]

was a silly idea to trade for a player who played so little games and had injuries as well!

the deal will look very lopsided toward LA one day, i think

heck.. they may not even sign Vilardi after his current deal!

i think Winnipeg needs a new direction and GM; theyve been wallowing in mediocrity with no light forward for a long while

I do think Winnipeg should've canned Chevy after last season. 12 years is a long time to spend as GM and when theres minimal results, I dont see the reasoning behind keeping a guy around. Fresh blood isn't always a bad idea.

 

[tbcwpg]

I do think Winnipeg should've canned Chevy after last season. 12 years is a long time to spend as GM and when theres minimal results, I dont see the reasoning behind keeping a guy around. Fresh blood isn't always a bad idea.

New GM at this point would generally mean a rebuild and for a variety of reasons the ownership group does not want to rebuild right now.

 

[MardyBum]

Well with Vilardi injured, this probably will become a win for kings now. Poor guy, such a talented player but injury prone.

He's injured for 6 weeks? Considering the way he went down and it looked compared to Dach being out for the season it could have been much worse.

PLD spent half the season injured last year, that's why his production and play fell off, not his linemates like some insane people seem to be alluding to. He was missing practices and gameday skates for ages.

 

[YP44]

Do not know enough of PLD but Fiala is a 1st line player obviously and LA stole him for what they gave up.

and our dumbass coach plays him on the 3rd line

 

[JianYang]

I've been informed that he no longer wants to be referred to as PL Dubois.

Say hello to Paul Dubois.

 

[Mr Kot]

He's injured for 6 weeks? Considering the way he went down and it looked compared to Dach being out for the season it could have been much worse.

PLD spent half the season injured last year, that's why his production and play fell off, not his linemates like some insane people seem to be alluding to. He was missing practices and gameday skates for ages.

oh 6 weeks? for some reason i thought it was the season. I think I had the wrong timeline in mind. In that case, then revoke my prediction.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

New GM at this point would generally mean a rebuild and for a variety of reasons the ownership group does not want to rebuild right now.

then Winnipeg needs a new ownership group!