NHL Rumors: Los Angeles Kings, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Buyout speculation
Sportsnet’s Rory Boylen: The Los Angeles Kings sent Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and a second-round pick to the Winnipeg Jets for Pierre-Luc Dubois last season. The Kings then signed him to an eight-year contract worth $8.5 million.
In 82 games this season, Dubois scored 16 goals and added 24 assists. He was demoted to the fourth line during the playoffs and didn’t have a shot on net in their last three playoff games.
Option to buy: The buying window opens on June 15 or 48 hours after the Stanley Cup is awarded. (The purchase numbers are listed below.)
2024 NHL Draft Rankings
Trade Option: If the Kings want to try to get something back, a trade might be an option but there won’t be many eager buyers. He does not have trade protection before July 1 when his four-year no-trade clause begins. Kings will have to keep the salary.
Keep him and hope for the best: He’s only 25 and has come close to three 30-goal seasons before. Can a new coach change Dubois’ fortunes? Should he be a winger?
NHL Media: June 24 is the latest date the NHL can award the Stanley Cup
Puck Pedia: Dubois will turn 26 on June 24.
“If the cup is given on June 23, they won’t be able to buy him until he turns 26, which means he bought 2/3.
If the cup is awarded before June 22nd, they may buy him out before he turns 26, which would make him a 1/3 buyout.”
Purchase numbers when on 1/3
| 24-25 | 25-26 | 26-27 | 27-28 | 28-29 | 29-30 | 30-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Purchase Costs | $1.13M | $1.13M | $1.13M | $1.13M | $1.13M | $1.13M | $1.13M |
| 31-32 | 32-33 | 33-34 | 34-35 | 35-36 | 36-37 | 37-38 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Purchase Costs | $1.13M | $1.13M | $1.13M | $1.13M | $1.13M | $1.13M | $1.13M |
NHL Rumors: Los Angeles Kings, and Top 50 NHL Free Agents
Jack Han: “My thoughts: – PLD wins more than a center -…more of a shooter than a playmaker -…more of a low/net closer than a dynamic/high OZ guy.”
- Austin Stanovich: “I’ve been saying this since the day the trade went through, PLD is a winger not C. But 3 different orgs tried to force him into C so what do I know? I will add him and trade for him and force him to beat PP instead of putting him first was dumb.”
Jack Han: “I’ve seen a lot of talk about buying Dubois, but the most optimistic part of me believes he’s the best partner for the next step in Byfield’s development.”
Austin Stanovich: “100% agree here, QB in 1C and Dubois in his wing that will start next season as I said. If you are not going to buy PLD out, you should use it as $8.5 mil up front. The 80-55 should be a high/mid-range wing.”
