Kings: An Easy Decision by Pierre-Luc Dubois

Pierre-Luc Dubois may have considered playing for the Montreal Canadiens, but when the Los Angeles Kings knocked on the door, he didn’t hesitate long.

Quebec has already begun exploring his new city, somewhere warmer than Winnipeg or Columbus, and the contrast must be stark for him. In the City of Angels, you don’t have to look far to have fun.

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“There’s a lot to love about this city and this place,” he said at his first media appearance in Los Angeles on Monday. […] Obviously playing hockey is my job and I have to get on the ice to eventually win the Stanley Cup, but I also get to spend some time outside. In this city, I feel like I can’t be in a bad mood.”

The sun attracts many talented players, but Los Angeles has much more to offer than its beaches and vibrant neighborhoods. The Kings, led by Anzi Kopitar and Drew Doughty, can aspire to claim major prizes in the years to come.

“It was a long process,” Dubois said of the negotiations. When I found out that the Kings were interested, it became an easy decision for me.”

Immediately after being traded by the Jets, he also signed an eight-year contract extension, at a salary of $8.5 million.

No word on Montreal

Besides talking about his childhood, Dubois never mentioned Montreal – and even less Canadians – in front of the media. Asked about his interest in playing for Bleu-Blanc-Rouge, prompted by his agent, he noted that rumors from the lanes were rarely accurate.

“There were a lot of rumours. As a player, as a person, there are times when I just wanted to take the mic and say it all,” the striker admitted. The job can be less fun sometimes.”

After scoring a career high last season with 63 points, Dubois is aiming even higher. He’s been in the National League for six seasons already and the Stanley Cup call will only get stronger.

“Sometimes I feel like a young veteran. I’m only 25, and I still have a lot to learn. I still have a lot of experience. I want to help the younger players and learn from the older ones,” he said.