Jets thrilled with return in trade for Dubois, GM says

NASHVILLE -- Kevin Cheveldayoff was pleased with his return for center Pierre-Luc Dubois.

The Winnipeg Jets general manager traded Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings on June 27 for forwards Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari, and a second-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Dubois, 25, was due to become an unrestricted free agent July 1. He signed an eight-year, $68 million contract ($8.5 million average annual value) with Los Angeles the day of the trade.

"We're very excited with the pieces we were able to acquire," Cheveldayoff said prior to the first round of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28. "I managed to have a conversation with all of them today and I told them it was an important step for our organization to add some depth and dimension."

Iafallo, 29, had 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) in 59 regular-season games and four points (three goals, one assist) in six playoff games, and Kupari, 23, had 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 66 regular-season games and didn't have a point in six playoff games.

"It was definitely a big change. I've never been traded before, but at the end of the day I'm definitely excited to be a Jet," Iafallo said Tuesday. "I know a couple of guys on the team already and that will make that adjustment easier. Obviously, 'Gabe' and 'Kup' are coming with me, so I'm excited. I heard a lot of good things."

Vilardi, 23, had 41 points (23 goals, 18 assists) in 63 regular-season games for Los Angeles and four points (two goals, two assists) in five Stanley Cup Playoff games. Los Angeles was eliminated in the Western Conference First Round in six games by the Edmonton Oilers.

"I think we have two younger players that are just starting to come into their own and they have a tremendous amount of ability to grow as hockey players," Cheveldayoff said. "Especially in Vilardi's situation, where he missed some very important years in the development world. You all know how development takes different shapes and forms, ebbs and flows and curves, and in his particular situation, when you lose those kind of years, it takes some time to grow your game."

A back injury hampered Vilardi early in his NHL career, limiting him to 46 games between the Kings (10 games) and Ontario of the American Hockey League from 2018-20. He had his most productive NHL season in 2022-23.

"I think you really saw last year his coming out party as far of what he brings to the table and I look forward to having him continue to grow," Cheveldayoff said. "Rasmus is another player when we go back and look at the history of our draft lists, we had him ranked very high. We didn't have a pick that year, so we're excited to get a player that can grow.

"And in Alex, we get a player that brings a lot of different things to an organization. His on-ice stuff is really good, he's a good two-way player, bring lots of different aspects of the game from a player's standpoint. But we've heard great things about him as a person, great things about him as a character teammate, and so we're real excited to have that and the opportunity to get a second-round pick gives us a chance to build for the future."

The Jets were eliminated in the West First Round by the Vegas Golden Knights in five games. They had qualified for the playoffs in five of the past six seasons, and Cheveldayoff believes they will remain competitive despite trading Dubois.

"I think you're always trying to win now, and we do have some good pieces," Cheveldayoff said. "I think winning is an interesting dynamic. I think you look at a team like [the] Florida [Panthers]. Two years ago, they were the most active team at the trade deadline and didn't have the success they wanted. Last year, I don't believe they made a significant trade deadline trade and lo and behold, they go to the Stanley Cup Final."

The Jets selected forward Colby Barlow of Owen Sound of the Ontario Hockey League with the No. 18 pick in the first round of the draft.

Cheveldayoff may not be done on the trade front, with goalie Connor Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele each eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2024. Each has one year remaining on his contract. Scheifele has an AAV of $6.125 million and Hellebuyck $6.166 million.

"They're Winnipeg Jets, and for us, they're a big part of our organization," Cheveldayoff said. "We'll look at everything that comes to us, but that doesn't necessarily mean we're jumping on anything.

"I talked to Scheifele's representatives over the course of the last couple of days and told them we're listening [to trade offers], but obviously, it's got to make sense for the Jets, because these are good players, and these players can help us win."