Dubois Demoted Already in Year One of Eight Year Monster Deal

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Pat Quinn
January 10, 2024 (10:37)

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The Los Angeles Kings getting Pierre-Luc Dubois was seen as a massive win for the Kings squad. It was a move that was seen to push them over the top, but it has turned out to be anything but.

Dubois clearly not living up to the hype for the Kings

Dubois' season high is 63 points and that was in 2022-23, his last season with the Winnipeg Jets. The Kings had such high hopes for him that they signed him to an eight-year $68 million deal, which comes to $8.5 million per year against the salary cap. This season he has just 16 points in 37 games, and that is clearly not good enough production.

Dubois was traded from the Jets to the Kings for Gabe Viladri, Alex Iaffalo, Rasmus Kupari, and a second-round pick. Vilardi has 18 points in 22 games as he is clearly ahead of Dubois in production already. Iaffalo has 17 points in 40 games, and Kupari played in just 15 games before being out long-term with an injury. The Jets are clearly the winners of the deal as it stands right now.

Demoted to the fourth line as the coach is clearly not happy

On the Kings' Tuesday night game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, which they lost 3-2 in overtime, Dubois was demoted to the fourth line as it was clearly a message from head coach Todd McLellan.

Todd McLellan sending a message to PL Dubois by demoting him to fourth line center duties.

Dubois finished the game minus two, with no points, no shots, and 14:32 of ice time.

At least Dubois showed some of the physicality he was advertised to have? Still, not a great offensive zone penalty to take up two after being demoted to the fourth line tonight.

It appears as though Dubois did not get the message that McLellan was hoping for production.

As Read On Blade of Steel - Pierre-Luc Dubois' Career Hits All Time Low