Rob Blake has no intention of letting Pierre-Luc Dubois become a sunk cost.
During the Los Angeles Kings‘ end-of-season media availability, the general manager said that the team has no plans to buy out forward Pierre-Luc Dubois after trading for him last off-season.
In Dubois’ first season in Hollywood, the 25-year-old had one of the least productive seasons of his NHL career, finishing with only 16 goals and 24 assists in 82 games. Then in the playoffs, he recorded only one point in five games against the Oilers, a garbage-time goal in Game 1 of the series.
It was an expensive move for the Kings, who saw themselves on the brink of contention. They sent Gabe Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and a second-round pick to the Jets for his services, hoping he could keep up his 60+ point production from his two prior seasons in Winnipeg.
However, Blake made it clear that the team isn’t ready to give up on him just one year into his eight-year, $68-million contract.
Instead, he saw his limited production as a function of the coaching rather than the player himself.
“We gotta do a better job with the coaches to incorporate him into the game,” Blake said, according to Kings reporter Russell Morgan.
Though he quashed the possibility of a buyout, he didn’t mention whether or not the team has ruled out trading him. If he is dealt, it would be the third time since 2021 that the forward was traded after the Jets acquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Patrik Laine.
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Last week, following the first-round elimination, Dubois was asked about his future with the Kings and if he was worried being traded or bought out this off-season.
“I can’t. It’s out of my control,” Dubois said when asked if he had any concerns about being bought out of his contract. “I’m a firm believer in everything happens for a reason. … I just gotta have the summer I know I can have. Anything else is out of my control. I can’t sit here and give you any more than that.”
The former third-overall pick from 2016 is set to represent Canada at the IIHF World Championship later this month and is hopeful a good showing there sets the tone for next season, whether it be with the Kings or elsewhere.
