Los Angeles Kings general manager Rob Blake confirmed Monday that he has no plans to buy out Pierre-Luc Dubois, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Blake acquired Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets last June in exchange for fellow forwards Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, and Rasmus Kupari, as well as a second-round pick in this year's draft.

Dubois, who'll turn 26 on June 24, played all 82 games in his first campaign in Hollywood but failed to produce to the standard he'd set over his first six NHL seasons split between the Jets and the Columbus Blue Jackets. He collected 16 goals and 24 assists, and his average ice time of 15:42 was nearly two minutes below his previous career average of 17:37.

The Quebec-born skater scored a goal in a 7-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. He was then held off the scoresheet entirely for the next four contests as the Oilers eliminated the Kings in five.

Dubois did post some favorable underlying numbers during the regular season, as his club controlled 53.88% of the expected goals and 53.66% of the scoring chances when he was on the ice at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick.

The Jets inked Dubois to an eight-year, $68-million contract shortly before sending him to Los Angeles as part of a sign-and-trade so he'd be on the books for an extra year, which the Kings weren't allowed to offer.

Anze Kopitar was Los Angeles' highest-paid forward with a $10-million cap hit this season, while Dubois was second at $8.5 million, according to CapFriendly.

Kopitar's figure will fall to $7 million in 2024-25 and 2025-26 before he's eligible for unrestricted free agency. That means unless pending restricted free agent Quinton Byfield gets more than $8.5 million in his next deal, Dubois will likely be the Kings' highest-paid forward next season. He's also under contract through 2030-31.

Dubois produced 27 goals and a career-high 36 assists in 73 games with the Jets last season. He notched a personal-best 28 tallies along with 32 helpers over 81 contests with Winnipeg in 2021-22. The Jets acquired him from the Blue Jackets for a package including Patrik Laine in January 2021.

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The battle for underdog status has begun as the posturing for Game 1 of the Oilers-Canucks is well underway. Matt and Blake take a look at the series and how it might play out, and how it may differ from what the Canucks saw in the Preds. Which stars will shine for each side and who will get exposed?

Jeff Paterson stops by with his take as well, talking about the key special teams battles, who will be in charge of keeping an eye on McDavid, and who will be left standing in the respective fanbases as the western Canadian showdown takes its toll! 

Then, John Shannon stops by with his experience on the TV side and tells us how the broadcast decisions are made and how the round 2 schedule came to be. Plus, John talks about the importance of an all-Canadian matchup and ensuring at least one Canadian team gets into the final four. All that, plus a big edition of The Golf Report as another Canadian finds his way into the winner’s circle. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.

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The Ottawa Senators hired former Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils bench boss Travis Green as their next head coach, the team announced Tuesday.

Green's contract will keep him in Canada's capital through the 2027-28 season.

"After speaking to several highly qualified candidates, it became clear that Travis is the right fit to lead our group," president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios said. "As we've routinely stated, developing a winning culture is paramount to our aspiration of achieving sustained success.

"Travis has a burning desire to win, is passionate about teaching, and holds his players to a very high standard. We're excited to welcome he and his family to the Ottawa-Gatineau community."

An introductory press conference is expected to take place Wednesday.

Green served as head coach of the Canucks from 2017-22, making the playoffs in 2020. Vancouver won its qualifying-round series over the Minnesota Wild that year and upset the reigning Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues in Round 1 before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 2.

The Devils hired the 53-year-old as an associate coach in 2023, and he took over as interim head coach after the team fired Lindy Ruff in March.

Green owns a career record of 141-159-35 as an NHL head coach.

He also enjoyed a 14-year playing career with the New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins.

He'll take over a Senators team with a promising young core that has yet to break through and make the playoffs. The Sens are riding a seven-year postseason drought, the NHL's third-longest active skid.

D.J. Smith coached the Senators for parts of five seasons before the team fired him after an 11-15-0 start to the 2023-24 campaign. Interim bench boss Jacques Martin didn't fare much better, going 26-26-4.

Green is the first permanent head coach hired by Staios since the latter was named full-time GM in December and since Michael Andlauer completed his purchase of the franchise in September.

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