Kings Rumors: Rob Blake Coming Under Fire For "Questionable Deals"

Los Angeles Kings General Manager Rob Blake finds himself at the center of intense scrutiny due to a string of what are deemed as "questionable deals," as put forward by Eric Stephens for The Athletic.

Stephens zeroes in on Blake's high-profile acquisition of Pierre-Luc Dubois, characterizing it as a catastrophic misstep that has reverberated throughout the hockey world.

The Kings acquired Dubois immediately after he inked a massive 8-year, $68M contract ($8.5M) with the Winnipeg Jets last season, sending back Gabe Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari, and a 2024 2nd-round pick in the exchange.

Dubois's underwhelming performance since joining the Kings, statistically his worst season in his seven-year career, has amplified doubts about Blake's decision-making prowess and cast a shadow over his ability to steer the team toward Stanley Cup contention.

Todd Mclellan talks Pierre Luc Dubois. Full interview up on all platforms. ⁦@CamandStrick⁩ pic.twitter.com/JSHpnXOXyK

— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) April 24, 2024

The analysis doesn't stop at Dubois; it extends to other moves under Blake's purview, including the contentious decision to ink goaltender Cal Petersen to a lucrative contract extension.

Petersen was inked to a 3-year, $15M deal, only to be shipped off to the Philadelphia Flyers shortly after. Despite expectations, Petersen's failure to solidify his position as the team's long-term goaltending solution has only compounded the scrutiny surrounding Blake's management choices.

Furthermore, the lingering repercussions of these deals have left the Kings grappling with limited salary cap flexibility and unresolved roster issues, prompting discussions about the necessity of parting ways with key players like Dubois to recalibrate the team's trajectory.

What a save by Cal Petersen 😳 pic.twitter.com/2t5D95zjfE

— Nasty Knuckles (@NastyKnuckles) September 30, 2023

As the Kings face a pivotal offseason fraught with uncertainty, Stephens contends that decisive action is imperative, even if it means considering a change in leadership at the highest levels of the organization.

While Blake's tenure has seen moments of success, his recent missteps may underscore the need for a fresh perspective and new direction to navigate the challenges ahead.

With the franchise's future hanging in the balance, the pressure on Blake to address the fallout from these "questionable deals" and chart a course toward redemption has never been more palpable. Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports