Should the Kings buy out Pierre-Luc Dubois?

It was a tough end to the season for Pierre-Luc Dubois and the Los Angeles Kings. NHL Now discusses the possibility of buying out Dubois.
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[@jejsemin33]

The Kings are not a Stanley Cup or bust roster. They are a comfortable playoff team, but by no means a contender.

[@raider7743]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHacm6qNfr2dkLssi=g3fdpqFprod71MxP

[@BRIANDER100]

why the hate for fiala---he's had 2 years of 70 plus points

[@Vdoom777]

Average to below average on d, some of the worst turnovers you will ever see and at the worst times, selfish, takes an offensive zone penalty almost every game, he will never stand up for his teammates and is extremely soft. He is not a winning hockey player.

[@jerryrikki9466]

Insanely bad take lol i mean trade fiala of you want but 73 points at 7 million a year is all you can hope for at that cap hit, let alone dubois

[@AlwayzFresh]

@@jerryrikki9466 It's actually a very good take if you follow more than stat sheets. Look at Toronto. Fiala would fit int there perfectly lol.

[@jerryrikki9466]

@@AlwayzFresh it's truly a horrible take to suggest a buyout for Fiala, you could trade him for a substantial package let alone trade him for nothing. Buyout would get you fired before you could put the deal through. End of the day Marner is a great player with all the talk about his poor playoff performance he can still help you win a cup. At 11 million? Maybe not, 7 million? Not a GM in the NHL would turn that down. Be emotional but don't be dumb

[@ESO_PRIME]

Fiala is so good BUT he’s hot/cold, he hogs the puck, he has many turn overs, and he’s not proven himself in playoffs. He looked scared this past playoff but the last 10 games of the season he was dominating. He’s completely unpredictable. He’sca keeper but 2nd or even 3rd line material

[@BRIANDER100]

if PLD was a free agent signing it wouldn't be that bad.....but they traded good players for him so it makes this worse

[@Actionronnie]

What could make it even worse, is if the cup is awarded on June 24th, PLD 26th birthday 😂

[@Lakingsfan140]

I hate how he knows he can be a great players for years to come but doesn’t care enough to play hockey. It’s embarrassing to see such talent go to waste. Management needs to get this guy therapy or something

[@davidcook9875]

The therapy part made me laugh

[@ESO_PRIME]

He was drunk in public just the other night. He’s probably going through depression. Alcohol would slow anyone’s game down

[@maxineviolet]

@@ESO_PRIMEyou mean he was at a bar with friends? In the post season? Grow up.

[@user-xp6zd2sf1l]

Hypnosis has a history of working on the kinds of issues Pierre louque duBoise has. It has worked for tobacco problems, weight control, and motivational things so get him that therapy and if he balks at it, then do an intervention as a final last ditch effort. Only then can you send him to the minors .

[@ESO_PRIME]

@@maxineviolet he was drunk in public, not a very "grown up" thing to do especially if you're playing a role of a pro player whose supposed to have a good influence on the youth. Alcohol even in off season will ruin your game, FACTS.

[@jsshea3847]

Wtf is wrong with Fiala? Back to back 70 point seasons and was great in Plato’s last eyar

[@ESO_PRIME]

He’s unpredictable & folded in the playoffs. Hot/cold … takes a lot of penalties, gives up the puck a lot, hogs the puck. Great player but 2-3rd line material. Basically way over paid

[@TmanTyler619]

He’s a big baby in the playoffs. I liked him and I’m not a kings fan but when I watched them play oilers the only time I noticed him playing was when we had crying about something or getting the puck stripped from him

[@robertbougher8820]

Aside from taking careless o-zone penalties from time to time. Nothings wrong, he’s an excellent player.

[@bhbecca]

Turnovers, lots of them that result in outnumbered attacks the other way. Stupid penalties at critical times and often in the offensive zone. Disappeared in the playoffs. Not physical. Big salary. Trevor Moore is the same player, but makes a lot less mistakes and takes very few penalties.

[@jsshea3847]

@@bhbecca disagree. He cleaned up the turnovers and penalties a lot in second half. Not saying he had a good playoff but he is a FAR better player than Moore. Way more creative, more skilled, better shooter and passer. There is a reason Moore fell off when Fiala was taken off his line. Kevin didn’t have a great year but he’s the kings most talented player and the slander is pretty ridiculous.

[@waterboxer87]

Pierre Luc Dubois is a major league talent playing as if he's in a beer league.

[@davida8052]

Dude Fiala has been great. As a lifelong Kings fan I've been really happy with Fiala. PLD has been a bust from day 1.

[@bhbecca]

Fiala is good and he's talented, but he makes too many turnovers and takes way too many penalties.

[@Ryan-pg7uo]

Rob Blake announced today at a press conference that not only is he remaining the GM for one more year, but they are not interested in a PLD buyout. ALSO what a cooked take on Fiala. Hes producing even on a brain dead 1-3-1. Hes one of our few offencive producers. I get that when LA plays its past these guys bedtime but cmon.

[@ESO_PRIME]

Blake also said he wouldn’t fire Todd, 10 days later…. ☠️

[@HT-jj5sx]

If you wanted to know why Rupp can't get a job with a team outside of the NHL network, here you go. Imagine advocating for a buyout from 1.13 to 4.0m a year until TWENTY-THIRTY-EIGHT. Legit awful analysis lol, wondering how they don't just fall down all the time.

[@Tickleyourpickle420]

Right?! Why make a trade when LA can just buy him out and pay him for a decade and a half. Rupp is braindead

[@people3865]

I don't get it either lol. He's also young enough, you at least give him a year or two and see what happens.

[@blackrabbit5115]

@@people3865 I think he could benefit from some mental health services to put his mind in a better place. He plays like a guy who has the weight of the world on his shoulders knowing everyone expects him to fail. I say give him at least one more year, with a good, solid, stable locker room and mental health support (if he wants it) and I think he would get a lot better.

[@PkTheKid99]

Absolutely ridiculous analysis these guys have no clue what they are talking about, Kevin Fiala had back-to-back nearly point per game seasons. Do these analysts not watch hockey lmao??

[@HT-jj5sx]

@@PkTheKid99 What's crazy, is all these "professional analysts" and former players pale in comparison to someone like THG. Freaking nuts.

[@cmz5847]

His one playoff goal was an accidental own goal too😂😂😂

[@ESO_PRIME]

20 minutes of penalties this playoff when the kings went under 50% on the pk. That’s 10 goals in 5 games his fault ☠️

[@gerryhansen8664]

Thank god he didn’t go to Montreal

[@EndrizziFilmz]

the dude is a BUST.

[@DanielNYR]

Why in the world did they hand him 8 years when he has never been more than an inconsistent player?

[@db-rc5fr]

Rob Blake needs to be fired.

[@jaske41]

GREAT question

[@ericcordeiro5279]

PLD and his agent used Montreal as leverage to get the best contract possible. Genius move

[@WilliamBonney-gl2qf]

Luc Robitaille was pushing hard for that trade. Totally misguided considering PLD's track record & in the locker room.

[@thomasmartin4994]

I agreed until the Fiala comments, he’s been solid. Not sure what you guys are smoking.

[@evannovitzke]

Bench that guy if he doesn’t want to play.

[@XxHarounXx]

60 million dollars on the bench

[@evannovitzke]

@@XxHarounXx 60million dollars for no effort is worse

[@chrisgoodings4450]

You litterally cannot buy out Dubois with 7 years left. Thats 14 years on the books... lets talk halfway through the contract at least. These analysts are fucking terrible.

[@kftc1980]

The price goes way up if you do that. There is a very narrow window (depending on when the playoffs end. There may be no window) to buy him out at the lower rate.

[@ratedRblazin420]

You save 50% of his contract if you buy him out now. Yeah, he's on the books until 2034, but you save $40m and get rid of a bum that shouldn't have gotten a deal like that in the first place.

[@garycochrane4829]

Your analysis is the terrible one. Now you buy him out at 33%. After this tear, it’s 2/3rds. Now or never. 14 years, but quite a small amount.

[@chrisgoodings4450]

@@garycochrane4829 ya 14 years on the books is definitely the way to go 😂 it was a bad signing but you ride it out and maybe after a few years he turns out to be decent or you trade the contract with something attached to it.

[@Brandon-go2ke]

PLD is laughing all the way to the bank. The fans and media got him his contract that he has. PLD is the real winner here

[@jaarenas]

Iafallo isn't winning you a cup, Kupari barely made the roster, 2nd round pick might be a 50/50 chance and Valardi can't stay healthy. Trade pill not difficult to swallow.

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

does it look like making strides towards? how long can it take player to grow on team?

[@weshaworth619]

People forget that Rob Blake traded Sean Durzi to Arizona to create more cap space so he could sign PLD. The Durzi trade was three days before the Dubois trade. We lost four players off our roster for PLD.

[@sniperovski]

As some random guy on the internet, I could have told the Kings that PLD was a vastly overrated diva

[@kdids]

"needs a clean slate" LOL.. HES BEEN THERE ONE SEASON! HAHAHAHAHAHA sucks to be the Kings. Rob Blake is such a Doofus

[@adj_ustment]

Why the Fiala stray? Hes had a good 2 last seasons.

[@pedrowoolson4273]

Under 26, 1/3 cap hit buyout is a no brainer when somebody underperforms that bad. The players you gave up are just a sunk cost. It sucks, but the risk is too great to keep him. PLDB is a prima dona who won't learn until he gets humbled... that's reality

[@berniedc9354]

they built one of best prospect pools in the league and most of them are starting to blossom away from LA, the hard cap stuff really could have benefitted LA with the young guys around Anze and Drew and could have fortified the goal post Quick and been even stronger with the Faber's , Villardi's, and others... PLD has world's of talent, wasting it away lately

[@LateCloser]

This guy is the most overrated player in the league. Jack Eichel should thank him for existing. The media was so hyped for him to be traded to LA. Well, not so much anymore? He's Mr. Invisible on the ice. I honestly don't know how he ever got that contract. Forget the numbers he may have put up years ago, he's never been impressive in ANY fashion to my eyes. This was an EASY mistake to avoid. If the Jets got grease for their Zamboni in the trade, it would have been a fleecing. They got more.

[@Carpetrider125]

I will not stand for Fiala slander

[@andygrenn680]

Never heard of him until now…

[@djrythm7312]

FIALA FINE BUT WHAT THEY R SAYING WHICH I CAN AGREE WITH HE DOES NOT SHOW UP IN SOME GAMES DA TALENT HE HAS SHOULD BE 80-90 PTS.

[@dangraesser5341]

PLD would fit in perfect with the leafs! They are both overrated and Charmin when it counts

[@hyepride23]

100% right on about PLD & Fiala

[@Actionronnie]

That's the kicker, PLD birthday is june 24 when he turns 26. The way the Cup schedule is right now, if they go 7 games in the final, it would end on june 24th 😂 The cup needs to be awarded before June 22nd for the 1/3 buyout. They may have to keep him for a few more years if all the dates line up.

[@Orenoryori]

PLD at $8.5 MM per year for a guy who has never put up more than 63 points in a season. Why has this guy attained such cache? I cannot figure it out.

[@Elmirgtr]

I need his manager to negotiate for me at my work

[@AW33COM]

Big fan of PLD. He bet on himself. He created that contract he received. Should go to Philly and play with Torts and win a cup there.

[@lonelycake4114]

Blake already said they won’t buy him out

[@ESO_PRIME]

He also said he wouldn’t fire Todd☠️

[@kftc1980]

Good. Then he can perpetuate the embarrassment.

[@justinditzler4168]

I live in a town called dubois PA we're trash here tho so we pronounce it like dew boys lololol

[@stephenchristian5739]

ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! PERIOD. Only way is he goes to Blake & asks for it. The saddest thing for us is he has the talent to take over a game but it's not in his mind & heart to do it. Like Q we must be patient ..1 more year in new system may work. PS. So many here said Q "was a bust" Imagine that, he's 21 years OLD!

[@maxineviolet]

Oh my godddd shameful. This narrative is exhausting and lazy. No GM in their right mind would buy out a player of this caliber after a rough first season. Embarrassing media coverage.

[@people3865]

1 goal in 5 games? Still better than Marner and JT lmao.

[@jlove8445]

I know right? Kings fans are upset that PLD makes 8.5 (which is about 2 million too much) but Marner is about to get 12 million per and he’s as soft as whip cream

[@mercywilliams2698]

Have you listened to Rob Blake and Luc at Kings management. They are staying the course sticking with things . Sounds like PL stays and more of what they have been doing they will keep on with them.

[@ESO_PRIME]

Blake said the same thing about Todd, 10 days later☠️

[@mercywilliams2698]

Is ownership inclined to fire a pair of HOF’ers who also won Sc’s as players..

[@rods4953]

Rob Blake already has a presser today. No buyout for Dubois. They’re gonna ride out the 7 years or move him if that possibility comes up but no buyout.

[@kftc1980]

He will be a liability either way. They’ll have to pay someone to take him, or keep someone (expensive) on their roster who brings little value on the ice and probably does harm in the room.

[@kevc1221]

How utterly fucking ignorant saying Fiala's contract is an issue. 70+ points 2 years in a row and he an issue?

[@audibletapehiss3764]

PL turned out to be far less of an attitude problem and far more of a hockey problem than advertised.

[@kftc1980]

Honeymoon period as far as attitude goes. Give it time to fester.

[@doinitforfun888]

I don't think the kings will give up on him after signing him to a 8 year contract.

[@kftc1980]

Blake doesn’t understand the fallacy of sunk costs, apparently.

[@billriling2908]

Point is moot. They're keeping him.

[@ratedRblazin420]

Why does PLD keep getting chances? If he gets bought out by the LAK then that should be it for him in the league, 3 strikes and you're out.

[@megadethslayer3619]

needs to be acquisition league floater guy at trade deadlines. but crazy enough he might not be good enough even for that.

[@chrisrocky07]

The fuckin Temu Mcdavid with an overpriced price tag.

[@kftc1980]

At the cheaper rate, yes. At the higher rate, no.

[@lonelycake4114]

I’m predicting some sort of Marner for Fiala trade 👍🍺

[@user-yt9gy4wp7b]

Pld for Huberdeau!

[@garycochrane4829]

Buying out Fiala talk is just plain dumb. He’s fine.

[@blackrabbit5115]

Terrible contract? yes. But in what universe was this Kings team ever pushed as Cup or bust? General consensus has always been that they're still a year or so out. Byfield, Clarke, Portillo, and other youngsters are set to make a huge impact next season, THEN we'll see what the expectations should be. Honestly from watching him all season long, from what it looks like is he's in his own head all the time because he knows everyone hates him. Dubois could probably benefit from therapy or some other mental health services to get him focused on what's in front of him and not so much about what tv broadcasters are saying. He plays like he's given up because he knows he's expected to fail.

[@mercywilliams2698]

Sometimes elite players just don’t have an elite mindset to play hockey at the advanced level. Some talented players on autopilot as younger players. In NHL there is a process of integration of playing nightly with your teammates having focus skills to go with personal motivation. How good a job does management really do with identifying when a supremely talented player lacks adaptability.

[@blackrabbit5115]

@@mercywilliams2698 Stability and environment matter massively, especially for a young guy who feels like he's destined to fail. It seems a jump to even say he lacks adaptability when he's played for how many coaches/ how many teams/ how many teammates in such a short timespan.

[@mercywilliams2698]

@@blackrabbit5115 I think adaptability is a variable and I am not a naysayer about PL. I have followed him since Columbus opted to pick him in the draft rather than Jesse Pulijarvi . And I noticed there he struggled with consistency though I didn’t see him as a lesser player. He was young and he had games where his play was exceptional. When he was traded to Winnipeg the thought was it would work better in part because his father was part of the AHL affiliate there..family nearby. He really did not like Columbus and preferred not to mention anything specific . He played well in Winnipeg so I was surprised he did not want to remain there. Sometimes players do make transitions slowly and he seems to be one of those players. It does not preclude his succeeding. Luc and Rob Blake both like the incremental measured approach to managing Kings so this could all work out.

[@blackrabbit5115]

@@mercywilliams2698 Glad to hear today that the front office doesn't plan to buy him out immediately. Give the guy a chance to feel comfortable and actually feel like leadership trusts him and will give him a real chance. As someone with plenty of my own mental health issues, it was one of the first things I noticed about his attitude and his play, it doesn't seem to me at all like he doesn't WANT to play well. I really hope he can turn things around.

[@mercywilliams2698]

@@blackrabbit5115 Really nice thoughts going forward. He certainly has the natural form and movement and now a matter of putting the self realization into things. Let’s go, Kings!

[@Jimmyfly215]

PLD will get bought out and get paid pennies to play in MTL. its prob his out

[@mistermallory94]

Will the real pld please stand up?

[@whitegd4100]

He’s busy making biscuits

[@mistermallory94]

@@whitegd4100 prolly all he's good for at this point

[@db-rc5fr]

That’s the real PLD

[@mrgreekgm754]

At 1/3 yes at 2/3 no.

[@stephencruse6525]

This guy has had to many chances

[@Infoseek777]

He must be so embarrassed

[@db-rc5fr]

Rob Blake should be embarrassed.

[@djrythm7312]

I MIND PLD HITS 1 OPPENENT PER 2-3 GAMES FIALA HAS MORE HITS THEN PLD DA GOL ALIES HAVE MORE HITS THEN PLD

[@mauricebrosseau9181]

Again LA wasn't his choice.

[@sparky3006]

Yep pass on the hump

[@tylersteckly21]

Pld is a baby

[@mclovin_tnt5617]

PLD is the most overrated “star” in sports. Period

[@liamoconnor9017]

Don't worry about him. He's gonna be fine. Trust me, look the way he's playing in the world championship right now. He's playing absolutely insane. He'll be fine. There's a new coach. Everybody's gonna be saying oh my God, 6 foot 3 can Bang bodies download in 3 years. All good all good. You think he wants his legacy to go down like this? I don't think so. That's why he went to the world championship and cannon is gonna win gold. So suck on that. You and Americans and I'm in the u. S.A. Right now and you're talked to text and you're not sucks.