PL Dubois was another mistake by Rob Blake

Imagine you go to work, convince your boss to spend a ton of future assets and financial capital on a project, watch it burn the company’s yearly expectations to the ground, only to swap the issue with a slightly smaller one, while publicly admitting you had no idea how to assimilate the idea, and still keep your job. Well, that’s what’s happened for Rob Blake and the LA Kings, again.

“I don’t think I did a good enough job integrating him in the right roles on the team here this year. I don’t think it wasn’t a great fit in that aspect for us and we’ll take responsibility for that.”

Words shared by a transparent Rob Blake on a shocking day involving the Kings trading Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitals for Darcy Kuemper. Less than a year removed from Blake’s trade with Winnipeg to acquire the controversial centerman.

Seeing Dubois’ and the rest of his 8-year $68 million contract shipped off for a familiar netminder brought elation to Kings Twitter.

After 87 games of inconsistency, Dubois’ inaugural season in LA endured warranted criticism. Now that problem is gone. But at the cost of Gabriel Vilardi, Sean Durzi, Alex Iafallo, and Rasmus Kupari. Losing those assets for essentially nothing will go down in Kings’ history as one of if not the worst move of all time.

And let’s not forget a three-year $5.25 million AAV commitment to Kuemper, a goalie coming off a 13-14-3 season with a .890 save percentage and 3.31 goals against average. Those are concerning numbers. But there’s precedent for a return to form.

LA’s style of play rejuvenated the careers of Cam Talbot and David Rittich helping the Kings finish with the fourth-best team save percentage. It will help Kuemper too. But it’ll be hard-pressed to think he can live up to his hefty contract. And if he doesn’t, it’s another Cal Petersen situation all over again.

It certainly feels like this trade opens the door for Quinton Byfield’s move to center ice. A position we saw him flash in a small sample amidst his breakout season. And one he should continue to excel in.