The Los Angeles Kings Realize They've Made A Major Mistake This Season

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Hunter Bowman
February 4, 2024 (1:56 PM)

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The Los Angeles Kings kicked off the season on a positive note, but a drastic change is underway. A coaching switch from Todd McLellan to Jim Hiller hasn't halted their slide, losing 14 out of their last 17 games and raising concerns about their playoff contention.

Despite holding the fourth spot in the Pacific Division, the Kings' recent struggles are hard to ignore. The pre-season optimism, fueled by Pierre-Luc Dubois arrival, has given way to much disappointment as the team fails to live up to expectations.

Dubois Falls Short of Expectations in LA

Pierre-Luc Dubois, acquired to bolster the Kings' depth, has faced criticism for falling short of the high expectations set for him. Despite the off-season trade, Dubois hasn't been able to turn things around for Los Angeles.

Reports suggest that the Kings' management isn't pleased with Dubois' performance, raising questions about the trade's impact. A reporter shared insights on their dissatisfaction, stating:

"They are not happy with Pierre-Luc Dubois. [...] I don't know if he's hiding behind Danault and Kopitar. I don't know if because of that, he doesn't really feel the urgency. He's comfortable, contract-wise. It's not delivering what we paid for. We knew why he [Rob Blake] was going after Pierre-Luc Dubois. It cost, he paid, but you don't look smart when the team you traded with [received] a player like Vilardi." - Martin McGuire

Dubois' eight-year contract with an $8.5 million AAV in LA hasn't yielded the desired results. In 48 games, he managed 20 points, including 10 goals.

Comparing Trade Outcomes

On the flip side, the players traded away, namely Vilardi and Iafallo, are finding success with the Jets. Despite Vilardi's injury-related absence, he recorded 20 points, including 11 goals, in 27 games.

The question now lingers: Will the Kings consider trading Dubois before his contract expires?

Source: Hockeypatrol