Kings' GM Admits Pierre-Luc Dubois "Wasn't A Great Fit"
Los Angeles Kings general manager gave up multiple assets to acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets one year ago. He then signed him to an eight-year deal worth $68 million in the sign and trade and just one season into the contract, has given up.
Dubois was dealt to the Washington Capitals straight up for Darcy Kuemper as both teams fill a need. Dubois recorded 40 points in his first season with the Kings, way less than what Blake was hoping for and after the recent trade, the Kings GM admitted, the 25-year-old centre was not a good fit for the roster:
I don't think I did a good enough job integrating him in the right roles on the team here this year. I think it wasn't a great fit in that aspect for us, and we'll take responsibility for that. I put it on us. We've got to work better as a group within this organization to make that fit. I think the attention, probably from the (scouting) combine in Buffalo where teams start to talk ... kind of took place from there
The Kings landed Kuemper, who is coming off a season posting an .890 Sv.% in 33 games and has three seasons left on his contract at $5.25 million. Blake essentially has only Kuemper to show for it after trading away Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and a second-round pick to the Jets last June.
Good on him for admitting his mistake, but it makes you wonder how he's going to keep his job if the Kings don't do some damage in the Stanley Cup Playoffs next season.
Photo credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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