Kings look to Dubois to provide production, improve depth at center

After the NHL Draft, free agency and other offseason moves, NHL.com is examining where each team stands in preparation for the 2023-24 regular season, which starts Oct. 10. Today, the Los Angeles Kings:

2022-23 season: 47-25-10, third in Pacific Division; lost in Western Conference First Round

Key arrivals

Pierre-Luc Dubois, F: The 25-year-old was acquired in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets for forwards Alex Iafallo, Gabriel Vilardi, Rasmus Kupari and a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on June 27, and signed an eight-year contract the same day. Dubois, coming off an NHL career-high 63 points (27 goals, 36 assists) in 73 games and four points (two goals, two assists) in five Stanley Cup Playoff games with Winnipeg last season, strengthens their depth at center. … Cam Talbot, G: The 36-year-old signed a one-year contract on July 1. Talbot was 17-14-2 with a 2.93 goals-against average, .898 save percentage and one shutout in 36 games (32 starts) with the Ottawa Senators last season. … Trevor Lewis, F: The 36-year-old, who played for the Kings from 2008-20 and won the Stanley Cup with them in 2012 and 2014, returns on a one-year contract, signed July 1, and gives Los Angeles another defensive-minded forward.

Key departures

Alex Iafallo, F:He had 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) in 59 games last season and four points (three goals, one assist) in six playoff games. … Gabriel Vilardi, F: The No. 11 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, Vilardi set career highs in goals (23), assists (18) and points (41) in 63 games and had four points (two goals, two assists) in five playoff games. … Sean Walker, D: Acquired by the Philadelphia Flyers in a trade that also involved the Columbus Blue Jackets on June 6. Walker had 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 70 games and no points in two playoff games. ... Sean Durzi, D: Traded to the Arizona Coyotes for a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on June 24. He had 38 points (nine goals, 29 assists) in 72 games and one goal in six playoff games. … Cal Petersen, G: Acquired by the Flyers as part of the Walker trade. He was 5-3-2 with a 3.75 GAA and .868 save percentage in 10 games (nine starts) with the Kings and played the rest of the season with Ontario of the American Hockey League.

On the cusp

Video: Pierre-Luc Dubois on his trade to the Kings , D: The 20-year-old made his NHL debut with the Kings last season, with two assists in nine games. He also had 61 points (23 goals, 38 assists) in 31 games with Barrie of the Ontario Hockey League and eight points (two goals, six assists) in seven games to help Canada win gold at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. With Walker and Durzi gone, Clarke has a great chance to stick on the Los Angeles roster. … Video: Pierre-Luc Dubois on his trade to the Kings , F:The 23-year-old had three points (two goals, one assist) in nine games with the Kings and 32 points (23 goals, nine assists) in 56 games with Ontario; he likely isn't ready for a full-time roster spot, but could see time in the NHL at some point this season.

What they still need

To figure out their third defense pair. The Kings would like to slot in Tobias Bjornfot and Clarke there; part of that is Clarke showing he's ready for the NHL, but more depends on Bjornfot becoming a steady NHL player again. After having eight assists in 70 games with the Kings in 2021-22, the 22-year-old had one assist in 10 games with them last season. He spent the rest of the season in the AHL, where he had 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 50 games. If Bjornfot can get back to form, he and Clarke can help shore up Los Angeles' defense.

They said it

"Honestly, I think it's just an opportunity for me to be who I am. I think I'm misunderstood at times, but I think a lot of people don't really know me. And that's fine. Sometimes in this world it's hard to get to know guys. … Now it'll be a fun opportunity for me to just be who I am. Not show anybody, not prove to anybody, but just fully be me." -- Pierre-Luc Dubois on being traded to the Kings

Fantasy focus

Dubois had an NHL career-high in points last season and was a top 100 overall fantasy player (90th) in standard leagues because of his strong category coverage in power-play points (23), shots on goal (205) and hits (71; 1.3 per game in career). Dubois remains a fringe top 100 overall fantasy player after the trade with the chance to play on a line with wing Kevin Fiala, who had more than a point per game (72 in 69 games) and led Los Angeles in assists (49) last season. -- Pete Jensen

Projected lineup

Quinton Byfield -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe

Kevin Fiala -- Pierre-Luc Dubois -- Arthur Kaliyev

Trevor Moore -- Phillip Danault -- Viktor Arvidsson

Carl Grundstrom -- Blake Lizotte -- Trevor Lewis

Mikey Anderson -- Drew Doughty

Vladislav Gavrikov -- Matt Roy

Tobias Bjornfot -- Brandt Clarke

Pheonix Copley

Cam Talbot