Huge LA Kings Rumour - Dubois Buyout Coming? 

Let me know your thoughts on the future of PLD

The real winner here is PLD. Dude figured life out and is now rich as heck for doing almost nothing in the NHL

This is such a tough position to be in if you’re LA. Essentially, your track record here is calling for a rebuild, but on paper your roster says otherwise. In my opinion, the PLD buyout HAS to happen. The question then remains on whether or not that will have a trickle down effect going forward with the rest of your roster… If they’re not all in, it wouldn’t surprise me if some of the main pieces there (Kopitar, Doughty, etc.) would want a shot somewhere else.

Looked at the buyout numbers...it's 14 years so awful in that respect but the dollar value per years especially with the cap going up in the future and after the 1/3 discount aren't egregious; particularly the last 7 years where it's only 1.1mil and not more than 3.8mil in the first 7. If they think he's that much of a disaster they need to do it now.

I've been calling for buyout for at least three months and bavk then everyone told me I was crazy. I'm happy to see it's being given serious consideration now.

PLD for Columbus, during the playoffs, was a beast for them and he was good for Winnipeg as well. Chances are he is not as bad as he is now and not as great as he was then.

Do it. Robs Blake's job is already lost anyways imo. At the end of the day the decision is: either give PLD the chance to pick up the pieces and become what he can be... while risking the whole team's salary structure in the process... Nope. You can't give a single guy that much sway on the team. Besides, after the first half of the season we were saying he has the second half to make up for things... then it's the playoffs, surely he can make up for his poor play there, even become a folk hero.... nope. Take advantage of that window, because he's gonna be much MUCH harder to trade. You have to bite this bullet. And re-evaluate your hires..... if Bergevin is really there to replace Blake... just, take a wild guess as to who fought to get PLD there...

I'm a Jets fan in Winnipeg. For the years Dubois was with us, he's was really good 2/3rds of the time. He was a breast and good in all 3 zones. He seems to have gone down-hill big time in LA. He's got it in him to be a great player, but even playing in a big market like LA, where he wants to be, he only shows up 10% of the time.

I’m typically a big believer in giving players 2 years minimum before calling a player a bust. That goes for prospects, big trades, and big FA’s. And I definitely do think there’s still a good player in PLD somewhere, but he is a bust of a move by Rob Blake after year 1. What’s really weird to me is that they made this move with the intention of really wanting to take advantage of their depth especially down the middle and especially with the top 9. It didn’t really seem like they committed enough to that vision and I think that was partially on the coaching staff, but mainly on PLD because there were some games where it looked like he rlly didn’t deserve minutes. Other games it looked like he was a dominant force on the ice. But it’s mainly on PLD like you’re a pro athlete playing the sport you love for a living. You can’t just decide when you wanna show up or try cuz then a coach isn’t gonna trust you with consistent top minutes, you gotta earn it. The fact that there’s a buyout conversation to be had already makes this a bust, because if they do buy him out, you’re not just down PLD, you’re down Vilardi, Iafallo, Kupari, and Durzi, all to get nothing in return and get bounced in 5 by the same team that’s bounced you in the last 2 years. All of those players, especially Vilardi, would’ve been great for the team this year, or even if they were used in a different package, they all had great value and could’ve netted the Kings a really good player. A sign that this current leadership group in LA needs to go, and hopefully whoever is in the front office by the end of the Stanley Cup can salvage whatever they can.

Chevy says sorry Kings, no refunds

It will only work if LA buyout Dubois before his anniversary and after the Stanley Cip is won. If that happens, they can buy his contract to 1/3 of it's value. Anything else, they will be forced to pay 2/3 of his contract. That's why the rumors are goings awire.

That contract is looking like it's a Pierre Luc Albatross lol

as a kings fan. i was not happy with the trade for PLD. Since Villardi is the best player in the deal. but he also cant stay healthy. whats more crazy. is the rumor that there was a trade with boston for Ullmark for PLD. and Ullmark declined the trade. Imagine if that actually happened. It would have been glorious. I do however feel they wont buy him out and hope he does better on the wing. I think the idea is to get byfield at center and have PLD be a winger. I just dont see a buyout happening.

They're either going to buy out his contract or trade him with retention. No way they continue going forward after watching his severe lack of effort all season and playoffs. He just doesn't fit in the system the Kings play because he shines on bad teams where he can just do whatever he wants (kinda like Erik Karlsson when he was on the Sharks). Roy, Arvidsson, and Byfield all need to stay, and I think the Kings could sign them all easily if they back load their cap hits to the 2026-27 season when Kopitar is likely to retire. This would leave a good two year window to remain relatively competitive with Kopitar still captaining the team. They will almost certainly seek a right handed 2nd/3rd liner as well given their lack of good right handed shots. I'm really looking at the Penguins as potential trade partners for Dubois. They're almost certainly about to go into rebuild mode with Malkin/Letang slowing down (Crosby probably isn't, I mean look at what he did last year), so Dubois could be an interesting option to fill in the gap. The Kings could try to get Jarry from them with Dubois, like they tried to do with Ullmark from the Bruins at the deadline. I really don't expect the Kings to even consider going into another rebuild because their roster has a ton of talent, it just lacks consistency right now. Hopefully they figure it out this off-season.

I DO NOT..DO NOT! understand how ANY GM didn’t see him being a problem the way he acted in Columbus? Then to see it again in Winnipeg (i said it was him & Wheeler were probably the biggest pproblems) & for any GM to trade…trade?! for him. J i said when it happened that Rob Blake will regret that trade really quickly..this is NOT surprising at all! He has to buyout PLD before the deadline if they can’t trade..if another GM trades for him they’re absolutely out of their mind

If they can buy him out at 1/3 it would be the best option and let’s hope no more nhl teams take a chance on him

Don't agree with you Mike on your assessment of Kevin Fiala. I mean maybe that contract won't age well at this point in time, but you can't argue too much with 140 plus points in the last two seasons at under 8 mil. Dubuois can only dream about that kind of production.

I learn alot from you....

He's a 2 million man . Thank goodness Montreal didn't bite.

this is why LA was trying to pawn him off to the Bruins in an Ullmark trade. Boston dodged a huge mistake.

Toronto should do the same with Marner and Tavares if they can.

They will buy him out. Because it sends the right message to the team. You can tell that they don't like his presence.

Great Video, as usual, Mike. I don't think that The LA Kings should overreact regarding the Pierre Luc Dubois situation. I think that he's got to find some niche with who he can play on a Line with. He does have the talent (I'm wondering if going to A Party Town might have a thing to do with it). Let me know what you think.

Pld buyout is not realistic. Trading him with 50% retained, youd still get a 3rd or 4th round oick atvthe very least

As an Oiler fan Vilardi and Iofallo played great against the Oilers . The Kings were a way better team with the players they sent to the Jets for Dubois

Do the Maples Leafs pls

Do it, do it, do it.

A buyout would be great for LA. Smart decision. Maybe fill some needed roster spots. But could it be bad for PLD? How many teams are going to wanna sign him ? Especially to a long term deal. He would drive coaches nuts. So much talent and SO little drive!!

The players list aren’t that big it’s the contract. Vilardi is made of glass as highlighted this season. The money owed is the biggest hurdle

Can't see them doing that this summer maybe next year if he doesn't improve. If he is bought out does he even get another NHL team willing to take a chance on him? It could be the KHL or another European league for him. Some have said he is a coach killer but if he is bought out does Rob Blake the LA GM pay the price by being fired. The Columbus GM has been fired so....

I am not going to defend Dubois, he needs to produce more but it must be understood that he was playing as the Kings 3C & on the second PP for the entire season. He was playing with a rookie, and bottom six wingers all year. His average ice time is down almost 3 minutes a game from when he was with the Jets. The Kings asked him to learn how to check for the first time in his career this last season,

The reality of what the buyout could look like is depressing. I can't believe any of the FO still have jobs after that deal.

Yes do the buyout we young prospects ready to play now

They absolutely will buy him out. Gotta take your medicine and take advantage of the 1/3 clause.

I wonder where he would sign afterwards

What a 💩 show that contract has been

YES ON PLD

If this happens, you can expect Marc Bergervin to be let go because everyone knows Bergervin must have been pushing for him.

Just keep him away from the Blackhawks, please.

Blake better have his finger on that button right now. POS is a dawg.

I hated the trade but he’s here and I think we should give him another year to prove himself.

I’m sure his teammates want him there as he takes away the criticism from the other players who were just brutal all year.

Buy out possible but unlikely if before June 24, no chance on the 25th.

I watched every game Dubois played this year. The skill is there, but he only has intensity on a few shifts. He is not driven. He does not lead. He's big and yet at times he let people push him around. His character is lacking. He must either be traded or bought out. Boston wanted him at the deadline but the goalie they were receiving rejected the deal. Either way-- he has to go.

KHL!!!

Retain 50% of his contract and trade him. Better in comparison to the buyout penalty.

figured it would have took 2 years

His heart is in Montreal. Watch him put up 100 points when he gets there 😅

Montreal won’t want him if he’s not putting in a effort elsewhere.

If the leafs fire Keefe who will be a good candidate for the new coach?

PLD didn't work out? 😂

Keep him and lock him in the gym all summer. hELL the whole team should work out as well. I want the Kings to level every team, every game.

Its hilarious how Dubois convinced Blakey he was worth 8mil a year, just google his career stats lol Out of his 8 seasons his career high for goals is 27 ,and points 63. Undrafted, 4Mil a year Trevor Moore is better.. Blake doesnt understand how contract negotiations work Dubois did a big ask and Blake just took it for some reason and didnt try to negotiate. Blame Blake for the 8mil not Dubois

Stanley Cup can go until … June 24!

PLD SUCKS!!! No team is gonna want him no matter the savings

Some nhl gms are nuts and it's ruining the sport.

Great report Mike! Re: PLD: attempt to trade him with retained salary. If that doesnt work BUY THE CHUMP OUT! He has destroyed what chemistry there could have been on the Kings. When Kopitar & Doughty have lost faith in you the team has to act now & get the best arrangement via trade or buyout that they can get and start their rebuild. AND...Please....Kent Hughes... don't bring PLD to the Habs!!!

14 year buyout dam..leafs will take him

Pierre Loot DuBois?

What a disaster for the Kings. They cannot trade this guy without accepting to a large portion of his salary so, a buyout seems like their best way out of his deal. His next team will not make the same mistake so I expect a one year deal at $1.5 million. No team will sign him for a long time based on his past record.

Maybe Leafs could trade Marner and Reilly for Byfield and Clarke and Kings 2024 1st round pick and Leafs could take PLD off Kings hands and buy him out.

Yeah Buy him out and let him get away from the Offensively stifling 1-3-1,He`ll be 30% more productive at the very least, not a PLD fan but hve played the 1-3-1 ewwwww

As long as the stipulation is Blake gets fired

Dubois is a piss poor player he doesn't even deserve to play in the NHL they way he plays!

I really hope dubois is watching all of this deserved negativity of his poor work ethic, this better be a wake up call to him to PUT IN THE WORK to be worthy of 8.5 mil other wise he'll be having a buyout history like Scott gomez and lecavalier. WAKE UP DUBOIS

Out with PLD and hurry!

The buy-out rumour is just amongst armchair coaches/fans. It's just wishful thinking.

Rob Blake needs to be fired and if ownership keeps Blake, I am done as a Kings fan. The signs were there. The previous knocks were there and Blake and Robataille absolutely decided to not care. I hope we get rid of him because any player that shows up once every ten games is a cancer to a team. Buy him out and fire both Blake and Robataille.

IMO, PLD should be dumped in any way they can work it out. Watching him play this year, most of the time it almost looks like a slacker that puts in the minimum effort to get by. Not a good example for the young guys and certainly not a good team fit. I feel that when he was signed, he was signed for what they felt he was capable to doing. He needed to step up to the plate and show that he was really worth the money he is making. He didn't do it!! Instead, he showed he is just another "also ran."

Trade Marner but not a buyout.

Buyout won’t happen. It would be made even worse when he scores 60-80 points for another team .

Send him to ahl or less for rest of his career

Kings totally mismanaged him and playing him with rookies and bottom of the line up. Of course he’s going to put up low numbers. You pay him as a high end center, play him at least on the second line and move danault on the 3rd where he should be. Once again, if Lizotte is your 3rd line center with Trevor Lewis, you’re already fucked. Plus the 1-3-1 is terrible for offensive players.

Dude is gonna get paid with zero effort. Pretty lame.

It's not as if the GMs don't know who the flakes in the league are.

Is there anyone out there who actually believes in PLD? Please, tell me what I’m missing. This dude is bad vibes wherever he goes as soon as things aren’t going his way. Seen what he can do but all the other negative crap outweighs the positive.

Dump him as soon as you can, and save money.

Huge fan of Dubois and all of the damage he is doing to LA! He's playing 4D chess. Why make $8.5M for one year of hockey when you can put in zero effort and make $8.5M plus $27M in the offseason buyout and then sign a brand new contract with a different team

Laine and Dubois wtf happen to these 2 guys? they started career superstars now they both 💩🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

LA KINGS , a major disappointment and i have lost all respect for that organization. Rob Blake is a curse word in my home now. Thanks *****