The Los Angeles Kings could be on the verge of landing Winnipeg Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, as the Western Conference clubs are engaged in talks about a trade involving the coveted player, reports the Winnipeg Free Press' Mike McIntyre.
The Jets' return package is believed to include Kings forwards Gabriel Vilardi and Alex Iafallo. A pending restricted free agent, Vilardi netted a career-high 23 goals and 18 helpers in 63 games this season, while Iafallo chipped in with 36 points in 59 contests.
Dubois is a pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights who can become a UFA next summer. It was reported in early June that his agent, Pat Brisson, told the Jets that Dubois wasn't interested in inking an extension with Winnipeg and Brisson wanted to work with the Central Division squad on facilitating a trade.
Two weeks later, the Kings reportedly joined the Montreal Canadiens and other teams in the pursuit of Dubois.
The Kings don't have much financial wiggle room at the moment, with approximately $9 million in cap space, four pending RFAs of their own, and a key pending UFA in goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, according to CapFriendly. Dealing Vilardi would account for one of Los Angeles' RFAs, while Iafallo carries a $4-million cap hit.
Dubois' desire to exit Winnipeg has been among the worst-kept secrets in the NHL for some time. Almost one year ago to the day, he reportedly informed the Jets he planned to test free agency in 2024.
The 6-foot-4, 214-pound skater, who plays at both center and left wing, is coming off a one-year, $6-million pact he agreed to with the Jets last July. Dubois is believed to be seeking an annual salary in the $9-million range, per McIntyre.
Dubois collected 27 goals and 36 assists over 73 contests with Winnipeg this past season, finishing with career highs in goals per game, assists per game, and points per game. Dubois averaged 18:27 of ice time in 2022-23, his second-best season-long workload after he averaged 18:55 in 2021-22.
He played part of one season and then two more full ones with the Jets after the Columbus Blue Jackets traded him to Winnipeg five games into the 2021 campaign. Dubois spent his first three in full with the Jackets, who drafted him third overall in 2016.
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