NHL Rumors: Pierre-Luc Dubois Could Face Shocking Fate With LA Kings

It was the Los Angeles Kings' big blockbuster trade of last offseason, acquiring four-time 20-goal scorer Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets and then immediately signing him to an eight-year, $68 million extension.

That move is now looking like a complete bust, and there are strong rumors that the Kings are considering buying out Dubois—with 7 years left on his deal.

Fascinating scenario/s regarding a potential buyout of Pierre-Luc Dubois, courtesy @PuckPedia.
The Kings might well be tempted at 1/3, but it’s beyond their control until the Stanley Cup is presented. https://t.co/PhJeawdQUU
— Bruce McCurdy (@BruceMcCurdy) May 2, 2024

The biggest question is whether they should—or are able to—buy him out before June 24, which is when he turns 26, and the cost for the buyout doubles (from one-third value to two-thirds value of the total contract).

However, a big fly in the ointment for the Kings is that buyouts cannot start until 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Final is done. And the latest date of a potential Game 7 of the Finals this year? Yup, June 24th. Dubois' 26th birthday. So if this is the route they want to go, the Kings are handcuffed and at the mercy of how long the Finals go.

Dubois scored a total of 17 goals this season for the Kings with just 40 points, playing in all 82 games. Those are his lowest numbers for anything close to a full season in his seven-year career. He found himself being demoted to the 4th line. In their first-round loss to the Edmonton Oilers, he didn't even record a shot on goal in the final three games of the series.

Dubois wanted out of Columbus, where he spent the first three years of his career, then expressed a desire to get out of Winnipeg, where he spent the next three seasons.

Now, however, the tables might be turning, and it's his desired destination, the Kings, that may want to say goodbye.