Center Pierre-Luc Dubois' future was uncertain after he announced his intention not to re-sign with the Winnipeg Jets. That uncertainty ended Tuesday with a significant sign-and-trade agreement sending him to the Los Angeles Kings.

As part of the deal, the 25-year-old Dubois agreed to an eight-year contract extension with the Kings, worth $8.5 million annually. This resolves his status as a restricted free agent and secures his long-term future in Los Angeles.

Dubois expressed his desire for transparency throughout the process, stating, "We wanted to be upfront with the Jets about our intentions from the beginning. We collaborated to reach this outcome." In return for Dubois, the Jets receive center Gabriel Vilardi, forwards Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari, and a 2024 second-round draft pick.

Dubois achieved a career-high 63 points last season, with 36 assists. He has consistently scored at least 27 goals in three of his six NHL seasons. The previous season marked the first time Dubois had consecutive 60-point seasons and the second time he’s scored more than 20 goals in consecutive years.

Kings General Manager Rob Blake praised Dubois as a "premier two-way center with exceptional skills," expressing enthusiasm about his long-term commitment to the team. Blake emphasized Dubois' consistent contributions to all aspects of the game.

This marks Dubois’ third NHL team. Originally the third overall pick by Columbus in the 2016 draft, he was traded to Winnipeg in 2021. This is the second consecutive year the Kings have executed a sign-and-trade for a restricted free agent, following the acquisition of Kevin Fiala from Minnesota last year. Fiala made an immediate impact, finishing second in team scoring with 72 points in his first season with Los Angeles.

After missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons (2018-2021), the Kings have returned to contention. Last season, they placed third in the Pacific Division with 104 points, their first time surpassing 100 points since 2014-15. However, they haven’t won a playoff series since their 2014 Stanley Cup victory, being eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the past two seasons.

Dubois expressed his excitement about the stability the contract provides and his eagerness to contribute to the Kings' pursuit of a Stanley Cup. He will join a strong center lineup alongside Anze Kopitar, the recent Lady Byng Trophy winner, and Phillip Danault, who had a career-best 54 points last season.

The players acquired by Winnipeg—Iafallo, Kupari, and Vilardi—offer the Jets valuable assets following their first-round playoff exit against the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights. Vilardi and Kupari, both former first-round picks, are coming off career-best seasons. Vilardi recorded 41 points, including six game-winning goals, while Kupari tallied 15 points in 66 games. Iafallo contributed 36 points during the regular season and three goals in the playoffs.