Pierre-Luc Dubois might not be be the only Winnipeg Jets forward heading to Los Angeles.
Pierre-Luc Dubois might not be be the only Winnipeg Jets forward heading to Los Angeles.
With significant upswing over the past 48 hours in the 'Pierre-Luc Dubois to Los Angeles' trade conversation comes a new development.
Sportsnet's Ken Wiebe is reporting that in order to make the deal possible, Jets' general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will need to add to the package being sent to Los Angeles.
What's already reported is Dubois to the Kings for forwards Gabe Vilardi and Alex Iafallo. It has also been said that Dubois is in conversation with the Kings on a long-term extension.
No, Pierre-Luc, it's not Montreal, but it's a pretty sweet landing spot.
Vilardi, soon to be 24, is a year behind the 25-year-old Dubois, having been drafted 10th overall by Los Angeles in 2017. He finished the 2022-23 season with four goals less than Dubois' 27. He also skated in 10 fewer games.
According to Wiebe's report, Winnipeg may be adding forward Jansen Harkins into its offering in order to make the trade work for L.A.
Harkins, 26, had a difficult time with Winnipeg following Paul Maurice's departure. Things seemed to work alright between he and Dave Lowry, but he wasn't given much of a chance under Rick Bowness.
Having played parts of four seasons with the Jets, Harkins was ultimately a casualty of some offseason signings and a deep offensive roster and spent the majority of the 2022-23 season with the AHL's Manitoba Moose.
He led the team in goals with 25, despite playing in just 44 games. Harkins finished second in points (50), while providing another four goals and seven points in five playoff games for the Moose.
Earlier, it was Wiebe who also speculated that Los Angeles might be inclined to send unrestricted free agent goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to Winnipeg alongside Vilardi and Iafallo.
As the trade talks continue to progress, Cheveldayoff also has the contract of Blake Wheeler ($8.25 million), goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and centre Mark Scheifele as possible trade chips in his back pocket.