Kings Rumors: Pierre-Luc Dubois Emerging as Trade Candidate

The Los Angeles Kings are free falling at the moment and are starting to crumble at the seams. Drew Doughty's been busy calling out selfish players, the team has gone 2-5-3 in their past 10 games and are barely hanging onto a wildcard spot in the West.

If the losses continue to pile up, expect to see GM Rob Blake shopping Pierre-Luc Dubois before the March 8 trade deadline. Dubois was acquired in a blockbuster with the Winnipeg Jets and simply has not worked out for whatever reasons in LA. Apparently playing hockey and going to the beach after is getting old already?

Dubois' numbers are way down, his ice time is way down and last night he started the game with two wingers who haven't scored in 50 games combined. Interesting times to say the least considering what Blake gave up to acquire Dubois. Perhaps folks are catching onto the trend we've seen in Columbus first, then Winnipeg and now LA.

Dubois has posted 10 goals and 10 assists in 46 games. He's winning less than 50% of his faceoffs and because he doesn't kill penalties, when he's not producing offensively, what is he contributing to on the ice? Worrisome stuff consider PLD is signed for $8.5 million AAV through the 2030-31 season. His no-movement clause does not kick in until July 1, 2024, so this will be the only season where Blake can move him at will. With a couple more losses piling up before the trade deadline, expect to see conversations heat up in a major way in LA.

Forwards with a $8M cap hit or more ranked by fewest points per game this season. (* = injured)

*Nicklas Backstrom - 0.13
Ryan Johansen - 0.39
Pierre-Luc Dubois - 0.45
*Patrick Laine - 0.50
Timo Meier - 0.55
Jonathan Huberdeau - 0.57
Jamie Benn - 0.61
Johnny Gaudreau - 0.64…
— CapFriendly Depth Charts (@CF_DepthCharts) January 19, 2024

"He should be embarrassed by his play.."@CraigJButton weighed in on the LA Kings struggles and the play of Pierre-Luc Dubois.

Full interview..https://t.co/GEyIvN76bn pic.twitter.com/laasSG8hjN
— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) January 23, 2024