Ben Shelley: Was trading for Pierre-Luc Dubois the right move for the Kings?

Personally I am not a fan of PLD as a player, maybe as a depth center.

To me only 2 ways to look at the trade:

1) In theory the Kings got what they were lacking, a center to play behind Kopitar and hopefully young enough to be the successor.

2) They paid too much, in assets and cap hit/term, for a player that has a higher than normal probability of becoming a future issue.

Only way to decide if PLD becomes a good trade is whether he becomes a better player than he has been so far. For 8.5m he has to become a pretty solid two-way center than can produce in the 80 point range. If he can only contribute 50-60 points then it was a terrible move because the Kings could of gotten that out of a younger Vilardi and for much cheaper.

I give LA 2 years before PLD becomes one of the most unmovable contracts in the NHL.

I said it at last trade deadline. LA needed to get a center. They got one. Just after the season. Vilardi hurts to see go. He was just starting to get going. Though he is streaky and often injured. I think Kali gets a big chance now to play up the line up. Or atleast he better. Hes got the best shot on the team. They now have 3 good centers for him to play with. I think PLD commiting to a long term deal shows he wants to be here. So thats a huge plus. Hes put up decent numbers. And i think that is only gonna go up in LA with better players around him also not being in a toxic locker room like in winnipeg.

Im really excited for the season. Goaltending is still the big issue. but by next trade deadline they will have money to trade for another one if they have to. Just have to hope for a healthy talbot. I have never been a fan of him.

Personally I am not a fan of PLD as a player, maybe as a depth center.

To me only 2 ways to look at the trade:

1) In theory the Kings got what they were lacking, a center to play behind Kopitar and hopefully young enough to be the successor.

2) They paid too much, in assets and cap hit/term, for a player that has a higher than normal probability of becoming a future issue.

Only way to decide if PLD becomes a good trade is whether he becomes a better player than he has been so far. For 8.5m he has to become a pretty solid two-way center than can produce in the 80 point range. If he can only contribute 50-60 points then it was a terrible move because the Kings could of gotten that out of a younger Vilardi and for much cheaper.

I give LA 2 years before PLD becomes one of the most unmovable contracts in the NHL.
- Glak18

Can’t wait til PLD proves people like you wrong.

Can’t wait til PLD proves people like you wrong.
- KINGS67

That's what 2 other teams have said so far, this very well could be the time it happens.

Trading for a center was the right move for the Kings, I'm just not sure PLD was the right fit.

PLD scored at a ~70 point/82 game clip last season. That's good.
PLD is on his 3rd team and he just turned 25. That's not great.
PLD at an 8.5 AAV x 8 but he's going to be a 2C for the foreseeable future. That's not great.

PLD, as a 25 year old, probably is what he is: a 60-70pt 2C with some upside offensively and a good defensive game when he's interested. I hope he can play with Fiala. PLD is poor on the face-off, but I suspect he'll continue to see offensive zone starts the majority of time so it won't hurt as bad as losing defensive zone draws. Still, not great.

In an ideal world, the Kings would have strengthened the defense more on the LHD side and paid for a little more certainty in net. But I get Blake's swing for a potential home run in PLD and I can't fault a GM for trying.

Ultimately, the Kings ceiling is limited by sub-par goaltending. Again.

That's what 2 other teams have said so far, this very well could be the time it happens.
- Glak18

2 others havent said that. one team drafted him. the other traded for him not knowing if he would want to be there.

Ben Shelley: Was trading for Pierre-Luc Dubois the right move for the Kings?
- Ben-Shelley.

I guess 8 million is the new 6 million, to me he's done nothing point wise to warrant that contract, so the Kings are probably gambling that he will eventually produce at a point per game pace which is a good bet.

as a Sens season ticket holder this will be an interesting watch for sure. I don't normally catch many Kings games but I'll be paying closer attention. We essentially swapped goalies.

When the defense in Ottawa was employed correctly and Cam wasn't hurt he was a pro and he played well. Sens coaching can be blamed for so much of the goalie malaise in Ottawa I feel the Kings may get more out of Talbot than Ottawa did. He's steady when he doesn't have to stand on his head. As long as you're not playing Doughty 45 minutes a game and then wondering why he's gassed and giving up 2 on ones....Cam will be ok.

Ottawa's coach is literally a Jr B coach employing goofy tactics and is beyond predictable. There are betting sites that offer odds on his stupidity. For instance, count how many times he throws his 4th line out after someone scores (either team). It's like clockwork. Even with last change. OR How often he throws his 4th line out for defensive zone draws.........with last change. Home ice advantage? Who needs home ice advantage? Take some of those coaching miscues out and Talbot should keep the Kings in games.

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Fiala-Dubois-Kaliyev
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson

That top 9 is an absolute joke. Just completely overpowered. Iafallo and Vilardi was worth the gamble, and Kupari would’ve been a waiver casualty for you guys anyway.
Dubois is at his best when he’s forced to play with pace, and has linemates that are smarter than he is. Fiala is the perfect creator, and Kaliyev is a machine. It *should* be a perfect fit

That's what 2 other teams have said so far, this very well could be the time it happens.
- Glak18

Those other teams are not LA. Not even close

2 others havent said that. one team drafted him. the other traded for him not knowing if he would want to be there.
- poisondhearts37

Also the kings locker room is undoubtedly very strong.

Leaders like Kopitar and Doughty will help PLD.

I don’t believe the rumors of him being a cancer are true. The way he was talking about his dad and how his dad brought him up. I find it hard to believe he let his son end up an bumhole. Dubois is a well respected coach too.

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Fiala-Dubois-Kaliyev
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson

That top 9 is an absolute joke. Just completely overpowered. Iafallo and Vilardi was worth the gamble, and Kupari would’ve been a waiver casualty for you guys anyway.
Dubois is at his best when he’s forced to play with pace, and has linemates that are smarter than he is. Fiala is the perfect creator, and Kaliyev is a machine. It *should* be a perfect fit
- Rexypoo

This.

Kings are much better this year with PLD. Teams will struggle with matchups imo.

Goalies have got to hold down the fort though

That's what 2 other teams have said so far, this very well could be the time it happens.
- Glak18

and one of those two teams is the Winnipeg Jets. a team that has leadership issues and a core that doesnt want to be there anymore.

Maybe Anze can teach him how to win faceoffs ?

and one of those two teams is the Winnipeg Jets. a team that has leadership issues and a core that doesnt want to be there anymore.
- stefano76

His father is an assistant coach with the Manitoba Moose, so his parents live in Winnipeg at least part-time. PLD wanted out of Winnipeg. Maybe he doesn't like his parents ?

His father is an assistant coach with the Manitoba Moose, so his parents live in Winnipeg at least part-time. PLD wanted out of Winnipeg. Maybe he doesn't like his parents ?
- bennythehat

PLD isnt the only player that wanted/wants out...
Winnipeg is very much like the Flames for some reason.

as a Sens season ticket holder this will be an interesting watch for sure. I don't normally catch many Kings games but I'll be paying closer attention. We essentially swapped goalies.

When the defense in Ottawa was employed correctly and Cam wasn't hurt he was a pro and he played well. Sens coaching can be blamed for so much of the goalie malaise in Ottawa I feel the Kings may get more out of Talbot than Ottawa did. He's steady when he doesn't have to stand on his head. As long as you're not playing Doughty 45 minutes a game and then wondering why he's gassed and giving up 2 on ones....Cam will be ok.

Ottawa's coach is literally a Jr B coach employing goofy tactics and is beyond predictable. There are betting sites that offer odds on his stupidity. For instance, count how many times he throws his 4th line out after someone scores (either team). It's like clockwork. Even with last change. OR How often he throws his 4th line out for defensive zone draws.........with last change. Home ice advantage? Who needs home ice advantage? Take some of those coaching miscues out and Talbot should keep the Kings in games.
- Octavarium

My god all you guys do is complain. Grow a pair

PLD isnt the only player that wanted/wants out...
Winnipeg is very much like the Flames for some reason.
- stefano76

Yeah for whatever reason living in a communist country with insane taxes and insanely high living costs whilst also being under scrutiny 24/7 seems to not be something millionaires like. Wild thought