The Winnipeg Jets are trading center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forward Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and a 2024 second-round pick. Here’s what you need to know:
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Why did Winnipeg make this deal?
Dubois wanted out. It’s that simple. In 2021, the Jets acquired Dubois (and a third-round draft pick in 2022) for Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic in hopes that Dubois would be a long-term fix at the center. If the Jets had tremendous success and Dubois was a part of it, perhaps Dubois’ long-term aspirations to control his future could be reassured. That clearly wasn’t the case, as Dubois’ camp made it clear last summer that he wanted out, setting a homecoming to Montreal as his goal. When Dubois’ agent Pat Brisson told the Jets he wouldn’t even sign a one-year contract to stay in Winnipeg this summer, it sped up the process leading to the swap. – Ates
Then why was it Los Angeles after so much talk about Montreal?
The Athletic previously reported that Dubois’ camp wanted to please the Jets and broaden their interest beyond a single city issue. Los Angeles should be attractive to the player given the quality of the squad they can put together, with Dubois in the middle as well as Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault. It’s also a nice big market town for a player who seems interested in living a big, spirited life off hockey and on the ice.
LA became the clear leader as Montreal’s bids continued to focus on draft capital rather than players who can now help the Jets win. – Ates
Why did the kings trade?
Getting Dubois to get what they desire, even in the short-term, requires some long-term thinking. Kopitar has had a great season with 28 goals and 74 points, the best he’s had in five years. Next season he could reach the milestone of 400 goals and 1,200 points. In August he will also be 36 years old. Even if he extends his LA career with another deal when his 10-year contract expires – and both he and the Kings would welcome that – there will be a day when he starts to slow down.
Enter Dubois. At 25, the Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec native may have six seasons under his belt, but he’s theoretically reaching his prime. In a team looking to take the next step and win playoff rounds, Dubois can ensure the Kings go into next season with an impressive center rotation as he fits in with Kopitar, Phillip Danault and Blake Lizotte. But the costly long-term extension also offers them potential protection at the top of their lineup as Kopitar ages and takes on a lighter role.
It’s also a sign that the Kings’ general manager Rob Blake has completely slipped into win-now mode, and a tacit admission of some concern that Quinton Byfield may not evolve into the No 1 could develop that was envisioned when they voted him #1. 2 in 2020. Keeping him out of the trade is a sign that they still want to make him an impact player for them. But with Dubois, they’ve come into their own for this playoff club, even if his performance is closer to that of a second-line pivoter.
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Pierre-Luc Dubois joins the Kings – jeopardizing Rob Blake’s legacy as GM
It’s a risk given that Vilardi, despite a history of back problems and an injury that kept him out at the end of the regular season, has only just begun to see his potential and Iafallo was a much-cherished, versatile forward, Kings coach Todd McLellan Highly Appreciated Working in different areas of the lineup was very enjoyable. 23-year-old Kupari is a superb skater with a shot that can beat goalies. He added penalties last season, but his inconsistency and the presence of other centers kept him from climbing further up the LA lineup.
The headline, however, is that Dubois must be a game changer for the Kings, who have been without two regulars and another youngster. And it’s a risk Blake thought was worth taking. – Stephens
What do the Kings get in Dubois?
The talent suggests Dubois can be a quality center. The production has shown that he is more of a supporting actor. Where he stands as a player often varies in between. When it is his turn, Dubois is a difficult horse to tame. He goes to the net and has good vision to make forehand and backhand plays. He’s not very good in the face circle, but his puck protection should work well for a Kings club keen to own him. If he is fully committed, he will also mix with the competition.
It’s also up to the Kings and Dubois to get the best out of the 25-year-old. His stays in Columbus and Winnipeg were full of contradictions, coupled with immense promises. From October to early January of last season, Dubois scored 19 goals and 48 points in 41 games. His second half wasn’t nearly as productive, though he’s picked up a bit in the final weeks of the regular season. Dubois was able to play up front at net (where Vilardi flourished) on the power play and occasionally substituted in and out, with Kopitar taking on the bumper role to keep the Kings in the game. But the key here is to see if Dubois can reach another level where he wanted to play. – Stephens
How does that fit into the “retrofit” of the jets?
(Photo: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
Vilardi is a high-profile right winger in the top six with great hands who can score goals and help the Jets at both ends of the ice.
Iafallo was loved by his trainers for his ability to stabilize any line he joined; It’s easy to see him scoring points for the Jets’ third row and providing reliable two-way presence in the top six every now and then.
Kupari, the 20th pick of 2018, is an interesting new addition — a 23-year-old streaker who has yet to make a big impact at the NHL level but is scoring heavily in the AHL. All in all, the Jets are getting a quality package of players who can help now and into the future: Iafallo is set to become an unrestricted free agent in two seasons, while Vilardi and Kupari aren’t eligible for UFA status until 2027. – Ates
What’s next for the Jets?
The Jets’ tremendous off-season task remains quite daunting. Winnipeg has yet to settle the future of Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele. If both players are substituted as expected, the Jets still need two goalies and at least two centers – assuming Vilardi plays on the right wing, where he has had the most success. Sure, their trading yields could help ease those concerns, but it’s clear Winnipeg isn’t seeing a rebuild this summer.
Make sure the Jets use Hellebuyck, Scheifele and the free agent market to add parts that will help them win in the short term. Nothing seems imminent on either front, but the NHL market is clearly heating up. – Ates
Where do kings go from here?
Eventually, Blake must turn his attention to the web. Pheonix Copley was a wonderful story last season as he stabilized their goalkeeping after Jonathan Quick and Cal Petersen were unpredictable and struggled early in the 2022/23 season. Copley spent most of his pro career in the AHL, coming from the Ontario Reign and winning a career-record 24 games. He deserves credit for keeping the LA season from getting out of hand.
But the 31-year-old Alaskan native was a backup before taking the starting role until Blake Joonas Korpisalo took over from Columbus. Given some pass counts and the fact that it was Korpisalo who played against Edmonton in the playoffs, it’s obvious that a new No. 1 goalie – or someone who can work in a 1A/1B tandem with Copley – is essential to both by trade or free agency. After Dubois’ big signing, there won’t be much money left to play with. – Stephens
What you say
“Pierre-Luc Dubois is a world-class two-way center with unique skillset and we are delighted that he is joining the organization and making a long-term commitment to us,” Blake said in a statement. “Over the past few seasons he’s proven he can contribute in all facets of the game and we’re excited to add a player of his caliber to our team.”
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(Photo: James Carey Lauder / USA Today)