Imagine you go to work, convince your boss to spend a ton of future assets and financial capital on a project, watch him ruin the company’s annual expectations, only to change the subject to a slightly smaller one, while publicly admitting I had no idea how to assimilate the idea and still keep the job. Well, that’s what happened to Rob Blake and the LA Kings, again.
“I don’t think I’ve done a good job of integrating him into the right roles on the team this year. “I don’t think it was a bad fit for us in that regard and we will take responsibility for that.”
Words shared by a transparent Rob Blake on a shocking day in which the Kings traded Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitals for Darcy Kuemper. Less than a year after Blake traded with Winnipeg to acquire the controversial centre-back.
Seeing Dubois and the remainder of his 8-year, $68 million contract sent to a familiar netminder sparked euphoria on Kings Twitter.
After 87 games of inconsistency, Dubois’ inaugural season in Los Angeles suffered justified criticism. Now that problem has disappeared. But at the expense 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 moves 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 worrying numbers. But there is precedent for returning to form.
Los Angeles’ style of play rejuvenated the careers of Cam Talbot and David Rittich, helping the Kings finish with the team’s fourth-best save percentage. It will also help Kuemper. But it will be difficult to think that he can live up to his considerable contract. And if he doesn’t do it, it will be another Cal Petersen situation again.
It certainly looks like this trade opens the door for Quinton Byfield’s move to center ice. A position that we saw him shine in a small sample in the middle of his great season. And one in which he should continue to excel.
It looks like Quinton Byfield will return to the center position: “Overall, we would like to see him return to center ice.”
-Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) June 19, 2024
There will also be a youth movement with Brandt Clarke, Alex Turcotte and Akil Thomas expected to be part of the squad. Otherwise, who knows what’s next?
It doesn’t look like this team is close to being a contender, especially when looking at the Stanley Cup Final. However, there is cap space to work with.
If the Kings add a dynamic forward and improve the left side of the defense, they can improve. And maybe it will reignite the enthusiasm for hockey in Los Angeles. But for now, we continue aboard this ship full of holes covered with duct tape.
